The oldest record of a birthday celebrated in the Bible is that of an Egyptian Pharaoh at the time of the patriarch Joseph. One of the sons of Jacob, Joseph lived from around 1709 to 1599 B.C. and spent the majority of his life in Egypt. The account of this event is in Genesis 40.
Biblical Birthday
Our birthday example begins with a baker and a butler who served Pharaoh. They were both prisoners for bringing the wrath of Pharaoh upon themselves. While languishing in prison they meet Joseph. He was in prison due to a married woman falsely accusing him of trying to rape her (see Genesis 39:7 - 20).
One night, a few days before Pharaoh's birthday, both the baker and butler have strange dreams.
And the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, "In my dream, behold, a vine was before me. And in the vine were three branches. And it was as if it budded, and its blossom shot up. And the clusters of it brought forth ripe grapes.
"And Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand. And I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand . . ."
When the chief baker saw the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, "I also saw in my dream, and three baskets of white bread were on my head. And in the top basket were all kinds of baked foods for Pharaoh. And the birds ate them out of the basket upon my head." (Genesis 40:9 - 11, 16 -17).
Meaning of the Dreams
What the dreams would ultimately mean for the butler and baker, as was foretold by Joseph under God's inspiration, would come to fruition three days later on Pharaoh's birthday. The butler was given back his job serving the ruler, while the baker was hanged (Genesis 40:20 - 22).
Some people have reasoned that since a hanging occurred on a birthday that it therefore is wrong to celebrate the day of a person's birth. This is a 'guilt by association' argument that does not make much logical sense.
While one person lost his life when Pharaoh commemorated his birth, another one gained their freedom! Not only that, but it was eventually through the butler that Joseph's life was ultimately spared!
Joseph, after he was saved, went on to save his entire family (the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel) from famine in the land of Canaan (see Genesis 45 and 46)! Added up, what occurred because of a birthday would be a strong argument for keeping them since more good than bad happened on the day!
Celebrating a Birth and Death
The only other mention in the Bible of a birthday is that of Herod Antipas (one of Herod the Great's sons). The account is in Matthew 14 and Mark 6.
Briefly, Herod had thrown John the Baptist in prison because of comments condemning his marriage to Herodias. Both Herod and his wife wanted to put John to death. Herodias and her daughter Salome, on the day of Herod's birthday celebration, conspired to trick him so that he would be forced to kill the Baptist.
Salome's dance so pleased Herod that he promised her anything (Mark 6:23). She requested John's head on a platter, a gross and evil request that was fulfilled.
And the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced (on Herod's birthday), and it pleased Herod and those sitting with him at the banquet; and the king said to the young woman, "Ask me whatever you desire, and I will give it to you."
Then he swore to her, "Whatever you ask of me I will give to you, up to half of my kingdom." And after going out, she said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist." (Mark 6:22 - 24, HBFV).
Herod's birthday was incidental to the overall desire to get rid of John. Using John's death on the day Herod decided to throw a party to celebrate when he was born, as a reason to shun rejoicing over one's birth, is a fallacious "guilt by association" argument.
Conclusion
The Bible does not say it is a sin to celebrate a birthday. There simply is no teaching concerning these events one way or the other. There are no verses that state it is wrong to keep track of the passing years of one's life.
It is acceptable for a family to rejoice at a birthday to celebrate a father or mother reaching a great age or celebrating the life of one of their dear children by giving them gifts on their special day!