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What Does “Birthright” Mean in the Bible?

The rights of the oldest son: he inherited more and was head of the family. Esau sold it to Jacob.

Where it appears in the Bible

Genesis 25:31-34

What the Bible says

Genesis 25:31-34

31And Jacob said to him: Sell me thy first birthright. 32He answered: Lo I die, what will the first birthright avail me? 33Jacob said: Swear therefore to me. Esau swore to him, and sold his first birthright. 34And so taking bread and the pottage of lentils, he ate, and drank, and went his way; making little account of having sold his first birthright.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

Source: RAE, “primogenitura”; Genesis 25:29-34

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