Deuteronomy 21:15-17

15 "If a man has two wives, the one loved and 1the other unloved, and both the loved and the unloved have borne him sons, if the firstborn son belongs to the unloved,
16 then it shall be in the day he wills what he has to his sons, he cannot * make the son of the loved the firstborn before * 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 the 2beginning of his strength; 3to him belongs the right of the firstborn.

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.

Cross References 3

Footnotes 7

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