Deuteronomy 21:17 - but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he has; for he is the beginning of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Deuteronomy 21:17" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 21:17 deals with inheritance rights in ancient Israelite society. Let's break it down:
"but he shall acknowledge the firstborn..." This is the core instruction. A father must acknowledge his firstborn son. He cannot simply ignore him or disinherit him.
"...the son of the hated..." This is a critical and often misunderstood part. It refers to a situation where a man has multiple wives and favors one over the other. The firstborn son might be the son of the wife the man dislikes or "hates" (meaning less favored, not necessarily literal hatred). Even if the father prefers another wife and her sons, he cannot deny the firstborn his rights.
"...by giving him a double portion of all that he has..." This is the specific inheritance due to the firstborn. He receives twice the share of the other sons. For example, if a man has three sons (including the firstborn), and the total inheritance is divided into four parts, the firstborn receives two parts, and the other two sons each receive one part.
"...for he is the beginning of his strength." This explains why the firstborn receives this special privilege. The firstborn son represents the father's initial potency and the continuation of the family line. He is the first fruit of the father's virility.
"The right of the firstborn is his." This is a definitive statement reinforcing the legal right of the firstborn son to the double portion. It is not a suggestion, but a legally binding requirement.
In essence, this verse establishes the legal right of the firstborn son to inherit a double portion of his father's estate, regardless of whether his mother is favored by the father or not. It prioritizes the legal rights and status of the firstborn in the family structure.
Important Considerations:
"Hated" wife: It's vital to understand the word "hated" is used relatively. It more accurately translates to "less favored" or "disliked." The context of the verse is about a man who has multiple wives, not necessarily one he despises.
Purpose: The verse aims to protect the firstborn, especially if he's from a less favored wife. It prevents the father from unfairly favoring the sons of his preferred wife.
Social Context: Understanding ancient Israelite marriage customs (polygamy was permitted) is essential to interpret this verse accurately.
Application Today: The literal application of this law is generally not practiced in modern Western societies. However, the underlying principles of fairness, justice, and protecting the vulnerable can still be relevant. This verse provides valuable insight into the values and legal framework of ancient Israel.
In summary, Deuteronomy 21:17 mandates that a father acknowledges his firstborn son, even if born to a less favored wife, and bestows upon him a double portion of the inheritance, affirming the firstborn's inherent rights and status within the family.
Deuteronomy 21:17 - but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he has; for he is the beginning of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.
What does "Deuteronomy 21:17" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 21:17 deals with inheritance rights in ancient Israelite society. Let's break it down:
"but he shall acknowledge the firstborn..." This is the core instruction. A father must acknowledge his firstborn son. He cannot simply ignore him or disinherit him.
"...the son of the hated..." This is a critical and often misunderstood part. It refers to a situation where a man has multiple wives and favors one over the other. The firstborn son might be the son of the wife the man dislikes or "hates" (meaning less favored, not necessarily literal hatred). Even if the father prefers another wife and her sons, he cannot deny the firstborn his rights.
"...by giving him a double portion of all that he has..." This is the specific inheritance due to the firstborn. He receives twice the share of the other sons. For example, if a man has three sons (including the firstborn), and the total inheritance is divided into four parts, the firstborn receives two parts, and the other two sons each receive one part.
"...for he is the beginning of his strength." This explains why the firstborn receives this special privilege. The firstborn son represents the father's initial potency and the continuation of the family line. He is the first fruit of the father's virility.
"The right of the firstborn is his." This is a definitive statement reinforcing the legal right of the firstborn son to the double portion. It is not a suggestion, but a legally binding requirement.
In essence, this verse establishes the legal right of the firstborn son to inherit a double portion of his father's estate, regardless of whether his mother is favored by the father or not. It prioritizes the legal rights and status of the firstborn in the family structure.
Important Considerations:
"Hated" wife: It's vital to understand the word "hated" is used relatively. It more accurately translates to "less favored" or "disliked." The context of the verse is about a man who has multiple wives, not necessarily one he despises.
Purpose: The verse aims to protect the firstborn, especially if he's from a less favored wife. It prevents the father from unfairly favoring the sons of his preferred wife.
Social Context: Understanding ancient Israelite marriage customs (polygamy was permitted) is essential to interpret this verse accurately.
Application Today: The literal application of this law is generally not practiced in modern Western societies. However, the underlying principles of fairness, justice, and protecting the vulnerable can still be relevant. This verse provides valuable insight into the values and legal framework of ancient Israel.
In summary, Deuteronomy 21:17 mandates that a father acknowledges his firstborn son, even if born to a less favored wife, and bestows upon him a double portion of the inheritance, affirming the firstborn's inherent rights and status within the family.