Deuteronomy 21:17 kjv
But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
Deuteronomy 21:17 nkjv
But he shall acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
Deuteronomy 21:17 niv
He must acknowledge the son of his unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double share of all he has. That son is the first sign of his father's strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him.
Deuteronomy 21:17 esv
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 firstfruits of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.
Deuteronomy 21:17 nlt
He must recognize the rights of his oldest son, the son of the wife he does not love, by giving him a double portion. He is the first son of his father's virility, and the rights of the firstborn belong to him.
Deuteronomy 21 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 25:31 | But Esau said, "Look, I am about to die; so what good will this birthright..." | Esau despises his birthright. |
| Gen 27:36 | And Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me..." | Jacob takes Esau's firstborn blessing. |
| Gen 49:3-4 | "Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength..." | Reuben forfeits firstborn rights by sin. |
| 1 Chr 5:1-2 | Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel… birthright was given to the sons of Joseph. | Reuben’s forfeited birthright goes to Joseph. |
| Gen 29:30 | And Jacob went in also to Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah... | Context of father's preference among wives. |
| Exod 4:22 | Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD: "Israel is My firstborn Son."' | Israel's covenantal firstborn status. |
| 2 Kgs 2:9 | And Elisha said, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." | Elisha's request mirrors a firstborn's inheritance. |
| Num 3:12-13 | "Now behold, I have taken the Levites... for every firstborn among the children of Israel..." | Levites chosen instead of firstborn sons. |
| Deut 16:19 | You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality... | Principle of impartiality in law. |
| Deut 21:15-16 | "If a man has two wives, one loved and the other unloved, and they have borne him children... then it shall not be that the son of the beloved wife should be preferred as the firstborn..." | Immediate context for the verse's ruling. |
| Lev 19:15 | "You shall do no injustice in judgment... You shall not show partiality..." | Law forbids favoritism in judgment. |
| Josh 17:1-2 | And this was the lot of the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph... | Firstborn in allocation of land. |
| Neh 10:36 | and the firstborn of our sons and our livestock, as it is written in the Law... | Offering of firstborn mentioned in law. |
| Psa 78:51 | And destroyed all the firstborn in Egypt, the first of all their strength... | Egyptian firstborn judgment, "first of their strength." |
| Col 1:15-18 | He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation... | Christ as the supreme "firstborn." |
| Heb 1:6 | But when He again brings the Firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels...” | Christ as the Firstborn. |
| Heb 12:23 | to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven... | Believers as "church of the firstborn." |
| Rom 8:29 | For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. | Christ as the firstborn among believers. |
| Eph 5:22-33 | Wives, submit to your own husbands... Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church... | Instructions on marriage and love. |
| Mal 2:16 | "For the LORD God of Israel says that he hates divorce..." | God's desire for marital stability. |
Deuteronomy 21 verses
Deuteronomy 21 17 Meaning
Deuteronomy 21:17 dictates that the legally recognized firstborn son, regardless of whether his mother is loved or unloved by the father, must receive the double portion of inheritance. This law emphasizes that birthright is determined by natural order and divine law, not by a father's personal affection or marital preferences. The firstborn is legally acknowledged as the "beginning of his strength," reinforcing his fundamental right to the primogeniture inheritance.
Deuteronomy 21 17 Context
Deuteronomy 21 is part of a larger section of Israelite civil and social laws, following the re-establishment of the covenant by Moses. This specific chapter deals with diverse practical scenarios, including unresolved murders (vv. 1-9), laws regarding a captured woman in wartime (vv. 10-14), and then, crucially, inheritance rights concerning a man with two wives (vv. 15-17). The context of 21:15-17 addresses the potential for paternal favoritism where a man might have one "loved" wife and another "unloved" wife. This law directly counteracts the natural human inclination to favor the child of a beloved spouse by ensuring the legal and ancient right of primogeniture is upheld, protecting the societal structure from personal biases. This reflects the Mosaic Law's concern for justice and the stable perpetuation of family lines. Culturally, polygamy was practiced in the ancient Near East, leading to internal family tensions, as seen in the accounts of Jacob's family (Gen 29-30), highlighting the need for such clear legal guidance.
Deuteronomy 21 17 Word analysis
- But he shall acknowledge: This emphasizes the legal imperative; it's a mandatory recognition, not an option. It counters any personal desire to disinherit or lessen the firstborn's claim.
- the son of the unloved: Refers to the firstborn son born to the less favored wife, often referred to as "hated" (snu’a סְנוּאָה), meaning less loved or even neglected rather than true hatred. This highlights the common societal issue of polygamous households and parental favoritism.
- as the firstborn: Bekor (בְּכֹר). This term specifically means the legally and naturally designated first son. Its recognition is critical for inheritance and societal status in ancient Israel. This implies his position cannot be usurped by any other son simply due to paternal preference.
- by giving him a double portion: Pi shenayim (פִּי שְׁנַיִם), literally "mouth of two," signifying two parts or twice the share given to each of the other sons. This was the traditional inheritance of the firstborn, signifying his unique role in carrying on the family name and responsibilities, including potentially caring for the extended family and widowed mother.
- of all that he has: Refers to the full estate or property of the father. The firstborn's share is comprehensive, not just a portion of certain assets.
- for he is the beginning of his strength: Re’shit ono (רֵאשִׁית אוֹנוֹ). This legal phrase defines the firstborn as the "first fruit of his vigor" or "firstborn of his virility." It acknowledges that he is the first legitimate offspring born from the father's procreative ability, a foundational and unchangeable biological fact. This establishes a physical and legal basis for the firstborn's rights, independent of sentiment.
- the right of the firstborn is his: Mishpat habekorah (מִשְׁפַּט הַבְּכֹרָה). This refers to the established legal and divine precedent of the primogeniture. It asserts that this right belongs inherently to the firstborn by legal judgment, which cannot be abrogated or reallocated by the father's personal wishes.
Deuteronomy 21 17 Bonus section
The specific terminology used, "beginning of his strength," echoes descriptions found in other ancient Near Eastern legal codes (e.g., Sumerian and Babylonian laws regarding inheritance), showing some common legal concepts while the Mosaic Law uniquely applied principles like impartiality based on divine mandate. This law prevented the abuse of paternal authority common in some cultures. It indirectly illustrates a divine standard against partiality in human affairs, pointing towards a God who judges justly. It also foreshadows later biblical narratives where God often chooses the "unconventional" or less prominent, while still upholding established law, providing layers of depth to God's ways.
Deuteronomy 21 17 Commentary
Deuteronomy 21:17 is a pivotal legal stipulation within the Mosaic Law that upholds the principle of primogeniture and mitigates the potential for injustice arising from family dynamics in polygamous households. By mandating that the natural firstborn, even from a less favored wife, receives his rightful double portion, the law safeguards stability within families and within Israelite society. It prevents a father from disinheriting or diminishing the inheritance of a legitimately born first son due to personal preferences or conflicts among wives. The emphasis on "the beginning of his strength" grounds the firstborn's right in an undeniable biological reality, making it independent of human favoritism. This law reflects God's concern for equitable treatment and the rule of law over arbitrary power, ensuring that divinely established societal structures are respected, reflecting His character of justice and impartiality.