Fir @ the uniform rendering in the Authorized Version (marg. R.V., "cypress") of _berosh_ ( 2Samuel:6:5; kjvKings:5:8-10; 6:15,34; 9:11, etc.), a lofty tree Isaiah:55:13) growing on Lebanon (37:24). Its wood was used in making musical instruments and doors of houses, and for ceilings ( 2Chronicals:3:5), the decks of ships Ezekiel:27:5), floorings and spear-shafts Nahum:2:3, R.V.). The true fir (abies) is not found in Palestine, but the pine tree, of which there are four species, is common. The precise kind of tree meant by the "green fir tree" Hosea:14:8) is uncertain. Some regard it as the sherbin tree, a cypress resembling the cedar; others, the Aleppo or maritime pine (Pinus halepensis), which resembles the Scotch fir; while others think that the "stone-pine" (Pinus pinea) is probably meant. (See PINE.)
Firepan @ Exodus:27:3Exodus:38:3), one of the vessels of the temple service (rendered "snuff-dish" Exodus:25:38Exodus:37:23; and "censer" Leviticus:10:1Leviticus:16:12). It was probably a metallic cinder-basin used for the purpose of carrying live coal for burning incense, and of carrying away the snuff in trimming the lamps.
Firkin @ Used only in John:2:6; the Attic amphora, equivalent to the Hebrew bath (q.v.), a measure for liquids containing about 8 7/8 gallons.
Firmament @ from the Vulgate firmamentum, which is used as the translation of the Hebrew _raki'a_. This word means simply "expansion." It denotes the space or expanse like an arch appearing immediately above us. They who rendered _raki'a_ by firmamentum regarded it as a solid body. The language of Scripture is not scientific but popular, and hence we read of the sun rising and setting, and also here the use of this particular word. It is plain that it was used to denote solidity as well as expansion. It formed a division between the waters above and the waters below Genesis:1:7). The _raki'a_ supported the upper reservoir Psalms:148:4). It was the support also of the heavenly bodies Genesis:1:14), and is spoken of as having "windows" and "doors" Genesis:7:11; Isaiah:24:18; Malachi:3:10) through which the rain and snow might descend.
First-born @ sons enjoyed certain special privileges Deuteronomy:21:17; Genesis:25:23Genesis:25:31, 34; 49:3; 1Chronicles:5:1; Hebrews:12:16; Psalms:89:27). (See BIRTHRIGHT.) The "first-born of the poor" signifies the most miserable of the poor Isaiah:14:30). The "church of the first-born" signifies the church of the redeemed. The destruction of the first-born was the last of the ten plagues inflicted on the Egyptians Exodus:11:1-8Exodus:12:29-30). Menephtah is probably the Pharaoh whose first-born was slain. His son did not succeed or survive his father, but died early. The son's tomb has been found at Thebes unfinished, showing it was needed earlier than was expected. Some of the records on the tomb are as follows: "The son whom Menephtah loves; who draws towards him his father's heart, the singer, the prince of archers, who governed Egypt on behalf of his father. Dead."
First-born, Redemption of @ From the beginning the office of the priesthood in each family belonged to the eldest son. But when the extensive plan of sacrificial worship was introduced, requiring a company of men to be exclusively devoted to this ministry, the primitive office of the first-born was superseded by that of the Levites Numbers:3:11-13), and it was ordained that the first-born of man and of unclean animals should henceforth be redeemed (18:15). The laws concerning this redemption of the first-born of man are recorded in Exodus:13:12-15Exodus:22:29Exodus:34:20 ; Numbers:3:45Numbers:8:17Numbers:18:16 ; Leviticus:12:2-4. The first-born male of every clean animal was to be given up to the priest for sacrifice Deuteronomy:12:6; Exodus:13:12Exodus:34:20; Numbers:18:15-17). But the first-born of unclean animals was either to be redeemed or sold and the price given to the priest Leviticus:27:11-13, 27). The first-born of an ass, if not redeemed, was to be put to death Exodus:13:13Exodus:34:20).
First-born, Sanctification of the @ A peculiar sanctity was attached to the first-born both of man and of cattle. God claimed that the first-born males of man and of animals should be consecrated to him, the one as a priest Exodus:19:22-24), representing the family to which he belonged, and the other to be offered up in sacrifice Genesis:4:4).
First-fruits @ The first-fruits of the ground were offered unto God just as the first-born of man and animals. The law required, (1.) That on the morrow after the Passover Sabbath a sheaf of new corn should be waved by the priest before the altar Leviticus:23:5-6, 10, 12; 2:12). (2.) That at the feast of Pentecost two loaves of leavened bread, made from the new flour, were to be waved in like manner Leviticus:23:15-17; Numbers:28:26). (3.) The feast of Tabernacles was an acknowledgement that the fruits of the harvest were from the Lord Exodus:23:16Exodus:34:22). (4.) Every individual, besides, was required to consecrate to God a portion of the first-fruits of the land Exodus:22:29Exodus:23:19Exodus:34:26 ; Numbers:15:20-21). (5.) The law enjoined that no fruit was to be gathered from newly-planted fruit-trees for the first three years, and that the first-fruits of the fourth year were to be consecrated to the Lord Leviticus:19:23-25). Jeremiah (2:3) alludes to the ordinance of "first-fruits," and hence he must have been acquainted with the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, where the laws regarding it are recorded.
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