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Deuteronomy 21:15-17

Listen to Deuteronomy 21:15-17

Inheritance Rights of the Firstborn

15 “If a man has two wives, 1the one loved and the other unloved, and both the loved and the unloved have borne him children, and if the firstborn son belongs to the unloved, [a]
16 then on the day when 2he assigns his possessions as an inheritance to his sons, he may not treat the son of the loved as the firstborn in preference to the son of the unloved, who is the firstborn,
17 but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is 3the firstfruits of his strength. 4The right of the firstborn is his.

Deuteronomy 21:15-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 21

This chapter treats of the beheading of the heifer, for the expiation of unknown murder, and the rules to be observed in it, De 21:1-9 of a beautiful captive woman an Israelite is desirous of having for his wife, and what methods he must take to accomplish it, De 21:10-14, of giving the double portion to the firstborn, which he must not be deprived of in favour of the son of a beloved wife, De 21:15-17 and of the stubborn and rebellious son, who remaining so must be put to death, De 21:18-21 and of burying a person hanged on a tree the same day he is executed, De 21:22,23.

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Cross References 4

  • 1. 21:15 [Gen. 29:30, 33; 1 Sam. 1:4, 5]
  • 2. 21:16 1 Chr. 5:1, 2; [1 Chr. 26:10; 2 Chr. 11:19, 20, 22]
  • 3. 21:17 Gen. 49:3
  • 4. 21:17 Gen. 25:31, 33; 27:36

Footnotes 1

  • [a] 21:15 Or 'hated'; also verses 16, 17
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025

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