prototokos identifies a firstborn, whether a child born first or one named in relation to creation, the dead, or many brothers.

The dominant usage applies the term as a relational designation: it occurs with all creation, the dead, many brothers, and an assembly enrolled in heaven. It also describes a firstborn son at birth and the plural group protected from the destroyer.

1. Relational designation in defining clauses · dominant

   The singular forms occur in clauses relating the designated person to all creation, the dead, the world, or many brothers; the plural genitive form describes an assembly enrolled in heaven. In Colossians 1:18 the APB renders a clause that also calls him the head of the body and the beginning, followed by “the firstborn from the dead”; Romans 8:29 places the designation among many brothers.

   Colossians 1:15Colossians 1:18Hebrews 12:23Hebrews 1:6Revelation 1:5Romans 8:29
2. First child and firstborn group · occasional

   In Luke 2:7, the accusative singular masculine form occurs when she gives birth to her son. In Hebrews 11:28, the accusative plural neuter form occurs in the purpose clause that the destroyer would not touch them.

   Luke 2:7Hebrews 11:28

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB consistently uses “firstborn” in these verses, expanding the surrounding relation with phrases such as “of all creation,” “from the dead,” and “among many brothers.” Those surrounding phrases show the verse-level relation rather than a separate translation of the term.