birthright
noun (a birthright, birthrights)
Everyday
- A birthright is something that a person has a right to just because they were born into a certain family, country or position. tree →
- (Bible) In the Old Testament, the birthright was the special share the eldest son got from his father; Esau sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of stew. tree →
In the lessons
In religious education the story of Esau and Jacob shows someone trading something precious for something small. In citizenship talk, freedom or education may be called every child's birthright. Phrases: «sell your birthright», «a birthright citizen», «freedom is our birthright».
Examples
- Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. tree →
- Education should be every child's birthright. tree →
- The prince's birthright was to become king. tree →
- Being able to speak your own language is a birthright. tree →
- Jacob tricked his brother out of his birthright. tree →
- In some countries citizenship is a birthright if you are born there. tree →
- Don't sell your birthright for a quick treat. tree →
Note
Countable. One word: birth + right. «Sell one's birthright for a mess of pottage» is an old saying from the Esau story: to give up something precious for something small.
In Jewish tradition
The special right and larger share of the firstborn son, which Esau gave up to Jacob.
Interpretation. Tradition sees Esau's easy sale as showing he did not value the holy duties of the firstborn, such as leading the family service.
Examples
- And Jacob said: 'Sell me first thy birthright.' (Torah GEN.25.31, JPS 1917) tree →
- And Jacob said: 'Swear to me first'; and he swore unto him; and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. (Torah GEN.25.33, JPS 1917) tree →
- And Esau said: 'Behold, I am at the point to die; and what profit shall the birthright do to me?' (Torah GEN.25.32, JPS 1917) tree →
- For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came he that is the prince; but the birthright was Joseph's — (Writings 1CH.5.2, JPS 1917) tree →
Note
Countable. One word: birth + right. «Sell one's birthright for a mess of pottage» is an old saying from the Esau story: to give up something precious for something small.
On Mova
- Trees and pragmatics of «birthright» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «birthright» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
- Trees and pragmatics of «birthright» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «birthright» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.
This page in Markdown → https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/birthright/