Deuteronomy 21:15 Meaning and Explanation
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →When a man has two wives and the firstborn is the son of the less-favored wife, the law protects the firstborn's rights.
The Context of Deuteronomy 21:15
A law protecting the inheritance rights of the firstborn when mothers are unequally favored.
What Does Deuteronomy 21:15 Mean?
The law addresses a household reality: a man may love one wife more than another. Yet love does not erase the objective status of which son was born first. The law prevents a man from allowing parental preference to override the rights of the firstborn.
This sets up a conflict between preference (the beloved wife's son) and primogeniture (the right of the firstborn). The law resolves it by prioritizing the birth order over emotion, ensuring that the firstborn—even if his mother is less favored—retains his standing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 21:15
What does Deuteronomy 21:15 mean?
When a man has two wives and the firstborn is the son of the less-favored wife, the law protects the firstborn's rights.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 21:15?
A law protecting the inheritance rights of the firstborn when mothers are unequally favored.