Lehi now sets up the series of blessings. He specifically names the elder among the sons, and gives them a charge. He is to give his patriarchal blessing to them, but it is conditional. As the elder, they will receive the blessing that belongs to the eldest sons, but condition upon their spiritual submission to Nephi. Should they not head Nephi, their first blessing (so called because it belongs to the eldest) will be withdrawn and given to Nephi.
In this introduction to the blessings, Lehi reestablishes the traditional order of eldest to youngest, even after having lectured the eldest on their rebellions. Precisely because of those rebellions, he has made sure that they understand his approval of Nephi's spiritual statute. In the blessings that follow, they are made conditional. While Lehi might give a nod to the tradition of the blessings, he is yet clearly placing Nephi as the spiritual head of the household, and commanding their obedience to him.