Deuteronomy 21:15

If a man hath two wives, one loved, and another hateful, and he begetteth of her free children, and the son of the odious wife is the first begotten, (If a man hath two wives, one loved, and the other hated, and he begetteth children with them, and the son of the hated wife is the first-born,)

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

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:

In Context

14But if afterward she sitteth not in thy soul, that is, (if she) pleaseth not thy will, thou shalt deliver her free, neither thou shalt be able to sell her for money, neither oppress by power, for thou madest her low. (But if afterward she sitteth not right with thy soul, that is, if she pleaseth not thy will, thou shalt set her free, and thou shalt not be able to sell her for money, nor oppress her by force, for thou hast made her low.)

16and the father will part his chattel betwixt his sons, he shall not be able to make the son of the loved wife his first begotten son, and set him before the son of the hateful wife, (and the father will divide his possessions between his sons, he shall not be able to make the son of the loved wife his first-born son, and set him before the son of the hated wife,)

Read all of Deuteronomy 21

Cross References

Genesis 29:18And Jacob loved Rachel, and (so he) said, I shall serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

Genesis 29:30And at the last Jacob used the weddings desired, and set the love of the latter wife before the first; and Jacob served Laban seven other years. (And so at last Jacob had the desired wedding, and put the love of the latter wife ahead of the first wife; and Jacob served Laban for another seven years.)

1 Samuel 1:4Then the day came, and Elkanah offered, and he gave parts to Peninnah, his wife, (or and he gave portions to his wife Peninnah), and to all his sons and daughters;

Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 21:11-15

The Case of Captive Women. ( b. c. 1451.) 10 When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the Lord thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive, 11 And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife; 12 Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails; 13 And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Deuteronomy 21:15