Psalm 78/Notes/Lexical.V. 51.729929
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
v. 51 – While the sense of "epitome" (HALOT; Prov 1:7) is suitable for רֵאשִׁ֥ית, in parallel with בְּכ֣וֹר, the chronological "first" is probably in view, in combination with the reproductive concerns of א֝וֹנִ֗ים (see the versions discussed in the grammar notes). We interpret א֝וֹנִ֗ים as a plural of intensification (so GKC §124e; Delitzsch 1871, 372), as found also in Isa 40:29. For discussion of the form and text, see the grammar notes.