"If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, {both} the beloved and the hat…" — Deuteronomy 21:15

Deuteronomy 21:15 · KJV

“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:”

— Deuteronomy 21:15

Verse 14

And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.

Verse 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:

Deuteronomy 21 — Context

And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.

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:

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:

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. {that...: Heb. that is found with him}

Cross References

Genesis 29:33

And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I {was} hated, he hath therefore given me this {son} also: and she called his name Simeon. {Simeon: that is, Hearing}

Genesis 29:20

And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him {but} a few days, for the love he had to her.

Genesis 29:30-31

And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

1 Samuel 1:4-5

And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

Genesis 29:18

And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.