Deuteronomy 21:17

But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, and shall give him a double portion of all he hath: for this is the first of his children, and to him are due the first birthrights.

Douay-Rheims 1899

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

16And he meaneth to divide his substance among his sons: he may not make the son of the beloved the firstborn, and prefer him before the son of the hated.

18If a man have a stubborn and unruly son, who will not hear the commandments of his father or mother, and being corrected, slighteth obedience:

Read all of Deuteronomy 21

Cross References

Genesis 25:5And Abraham gave all his possessions to Isaac.

Genesis 49:3Ruben, my firstborn, thou art my strength, and the beginning of my sorrow: excelling in gifts, greater in command.

1 Chronicles 5:2But of the race of Juda, who was the strongest among his brethren, came the princes: but the first birthright was accounted to Joseph.)

Psalms 105:36And he slew all the firstborn in their land: the firstfruits of all their labour.

Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 21:16-18

The Right of the Firstborn. ( b. c. 1451.) 15 If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated: 16 Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn: 17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that… Read the whole commentary →

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