Israel and other cultures of the ancient Near East gave special honor and privileges to the oldest son in every family. This "birthright" also included a special share in the family inheritance and leadership of the family after the father died (Deut 21.15-17). But these special rights could be transferred, as when Esau (the first-born son of Isaac) sold his birthright to Jacob (Gen 25.29-34). The twelve tribes of Israel were named for the twelve sons of Jacob, who was later named Israel (Gen 32.22-28).

When Reuben, Jacob's oldest son, slept with one of his father's wives (Gen 35.22), he lost his place as head of his tribe (Gen 49.4). When Israel was ruled by kings, it was the oldest son of the king who was expected to take the place of the king when he died (2 Chr 21.3; Ps 89.27).

In some cases, however, the notion of the birthright was ignored, and the oldest son was passed over or rejected. The best-known example of this reversal is the Lord's choosing of David, the youngest of Jesse's eight sons, to be the king of Israel (1 Sam 16.1-13).

God treated the whole people of Israel as a first-born, and is pictured in the Scriptures as being happy over this special relationship with them. God gave them special attention and favors (Exod 4.22,23). Later, the prophet Jeremiah describes God as rejoicing when Israel, the disobedient son, returns and the close relationship is restored (Jer 31.8,9).