Deuteronomy 21:15 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 21:15 mean?

Deuteronomy 21:15 describes a situation where a man has two wives, one of whom he loves and one he does not, and both wives have given him children, but the firstborn son belongs to the wife he does not love. The verse sets up a legal scenario about family relationships and inheritance rights in ancient Israel.

In this passage, Moses is speaking to the Israelites, giving them laws to follow as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The verse introduces a case where a man’s personal feelings toward his wives could affect his children’s inheritance, especially if the firstborn is from the less favored wife. This sets the stage for the following verses, which address fairness and legal protection for the firstborn son.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 21:15

• The word for "beloved" is אָהוּב (’āhûb), from the root אָהַב (’āhab), meaning "to love." This highlights a wife who is favored or cherished by the husband, which is important for understanding the emotional context.
• The word for "hated" is שָׂנוּא (śānû’), from the root שָׂנֵא (śānē’), meaning "to hate" or "to be unloved." In this context, it often means "less loved" rather than active hatred, showing a contrast in affection rather than outright hostility.
• The word for "firstborn" is בְּכוֹר (bekhôr), which carries legal significance in Israelite culture, as the firstborn son had special inheritance rights.
• The word for "wives" is נָשִׁים (nāšîm), the plural of אִשָּׁה (’ishah), simply meaning "women" or "wives," making clear this is about polygamous marriage, which was practiced in ancient Israel.

Why Deuteronomy 21:15 matters

• This verse clarifies that the law addresses real-life family tensions and does not ignore complicated situations like favoritism in polygamous households.
• It sets up the principle that legal rights, especially inheritance, should not be determined by a father's personal feelings toward his wives or children.
• The verse connects to the broader passage, which insists on justice and fairness in family law, protecting vulnerable family members from being deprived of their rights due to favoritism.