[quote="Luke 2:2"]Αὕτη ἡ ἀπογραφὴ πρώτη ἐγένετο ἡγεμονεύοντος τῆς Συρίας Κυρηνίου.[/quote]
Is interpreting this πρῶτος as “prior to” Quirinius, rather than “the first”. The following phrase in the genitive seems to be either “of Quirinius …” or as a genitive absolute “while Quirinius …” more likely according to the Greek usage? 

Is either interpretation still valid according to the idiom of the language?

Luke 2:2 πρῶτος as “prior to” rather than “the first”