Bible Dictionary
FIRST
First may indicate priority in time, order, rank, or importance. Scripture applies it to beginnings, firstborn rights, supreme commandments, and God and Christ as the First and the Last.
Definition
First indicates priority in time, order, rank, or importance. It may refer to what begins a sequence, stands at the head, holds chief status, or occupies the foremost place. The word can also describe the firstborn, first-fruits, a first day, or the highest position.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses first for beginnings, firstborn rights, first importance, and the foremost commandment. Yahweh is called the First and the Last as Eternal and solely Supreme, and Christ is called the First and the Last as Eternal and Supreme. “First” may also mean chief, as when Paul calls himself chief of sinners.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>furst ('echadh, ri'shon; proton, to proton, protos):</p><p>Of these words, which are those most frequently used for "first," ri'shon is from rosh, "the head, and is used for the highest, chief, etc.; also of time, the beginning, e.g. Ge 8:13, in the first month"; in Isa 44:6; 48:12, it is used of Yahweh as Eternal and solely Supreme--the First and the Last (compare Isa 41:4). Special usages are in connection with "firstborn," "first- fruit," etc.; proton is used of that which is first in order; but also of that which is first or chief in importance, etc. (Mt 6:33; Jas 3:17). In 1Ti 1:15, Paul says Jesus came "to save sinners; of whom I am chief," literally, "first"; the same word is used by Jesus of the "first" of the commandments (Mr 12:29); where we read in 1Co 15:3, "I delivered unto you first of all," it is en protois ("in the foremost place"); "The first and the last" is applied to Christ as Eternal and Supreme (Re 1:17; 2:8; 22:13); protos is "the first day" (Mt 26:17; Mr 16:9); in Mt 28:1; Mr 16:2; Lu 24:1; Joh 20:1,19; Ac 20:7, it is mia ("one").</p><p>W. L. Walker</p>