Deuteronomy 21:17

Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.

Berean Standard Bible

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

16when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife.

18If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined,

Read all of Deuteronomy 21

Cross References

Genesis 25:5Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac.

Genesis 49:3Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.

1 Chronicles 5:2And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.

Psalms 105:36Then He struck all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their vigor.

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 →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Deuteronomy 21:17