Deuteronomy 21:16 · KJV
“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 21:16
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:
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}
Deuteronomy 21 — Context
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.
15If 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:
16Then 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:
17But 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}
18If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and {that}, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:
Cross References
1 Chronicles 26:10
Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for {though} he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him the chief;)
1 Chronicles 5:2
For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him {came} the chief ruler; but the birthright {was} Joseph's:) {chief...: or, prince}
2 Chronicles 21:3
And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he {was} the firstborn.
Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate {to be} conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Hebrews 12:16-17
Lest there {be} any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things {are} honest, whatsoever things {are} just, whatsoever things {are} pure, whatsoever things {are} lovely, whatsoever things {are} of good report; if {there be} any virtue, and if {there be} any praise, think on these things. {honest: or, venerable}
2 Chronicles 11:19-22
Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.