Bible Strands
Exodus 4:22
Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses Moses, commanding him to deliver a specific declaration to Pharaoh immediately before Moses returns to Egypt to demand Israel's release.
The words — The Hebrew בְּכֹרִי (bekhōrî) means "my firstborn," standing alongside בְּנִי (bənî, "my son") to formally assign Israel a unique familial rank.
The thread — This sonship motif reappears in Hosea 11:1 when God recalls calling Israel out of Egypt, and it undergirds Paul's explanation of Israel's adoption in Romans 9:4.
Why it lands — The verse plainly identifies Israel as Yahweh's designated firstborn, establishing the covenantal ground for the upcoming demand to Pharaoh.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
Cross-references
- Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.
- Romans 9:4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.
- Jeremiah 31:9 They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.”
- Hebrews 12:23 in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
- Exodus 19:5 Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.
- Deuteronomy 14:1 You are sons of the LORD your God; do not cut yourselves or shave your foreheads on behalf of the dead,
- Isaiah 63:16 Yet You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.
- Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.
- 2 Corinthians 6:18 And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
- James 1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.