Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadInternational Standard Bible Encyclopedia: First
Subjects in this Topic:
fuÌ‚rst (×חד, 'ehÌ£aÌ„dh, ר×ש×ון, ri'shoÌ„n; Ï€Ïῶτον, proÌ„ton, τὸ Ï€Ïῶτον, toÌ prō̇ton, Ï€Ïῶτος, prō̇tos): Of these words, which are those most frequently used for “first,†ri'shoÌ„n is from roÌ„sh, “the head, and is used for the highest, chief, etc.; also of time, the beginning, e.g. , in the first monthâ€; in ; , it is used of Yahweh as Eternal and solely Supreme - the First and the Last (compare ). Special usages are in connection with “firstborn,†“first-fruit,†etc.; proÌ„ton is used of that which is first in order; but also of that which is first or chief in importance, etc. (; ). In , Paul says Jesus came “to save sinners; of whom I am chief,†literally, “firstâ€; the same word is used by Jesus of the “first†of the commandments (); where we read in , “I delivered unto you first of all,†it is en prō̇tois (“in the foremost placeâ€); “The first and the last†is applied to Christ as Eternal and Supreme (; ; ); proÌ„tos is “the first day†(; ); in ; ; ; , ; , it is mıÌa (“oneâ€).