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.

DEUTERONOMY 21:17KJV
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Deuteronomy 21:17 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 21:17 mean?

Deuteronomy 21:17 commands that a father must recognize his firstborn son, even if that son is from a wife he does not love, and must give him a double share of the inheritance because the firstborn has a special status and right. This law prevents a father from favoring children from a more loved wife over the actual firstborn.

In this passage, Moses is instructing the Israelites about inheritance laws as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The situation described is one where a man has two wives, one loved and one "hated" (meaning less favored), and he cannot deny the firstborn son his rightful inheritance just because he prefers another wife or her children. The verse emphasizes fairness and upholding the rights of the firstborn, regardless of family favoritism.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 21:17

  • "Acknowledge" (נָכַר, nakar): This word means to recognize or admit the status of someone. Here, it stresses that the father must formally recognize the firstborn, not just privately know it.
  • "Hated" (שָׂנֵא, sane): This term does not always mean active hatred; it often means "less loved" or "unfavored," highlighting that the law applies even when family relationships are strained.
  • "Firstborn" (בְּכוֹר, bekhor): This word refers to the eldest son, who held a special place in family and inheritance customs. The verse insists that this status is not to be changed by personal feelings.
  • "Double" (שְׁנַיִם, shenayim) and "Portion" (פֶּה, peh): Together, these words mean the firstborn receives twice as much as any other son, a concrete legal right in Israelite inheritance.

Why Deuteronomy 21:17 matters

  • Deuteronomy 21:17 clarifies that personal feelings or favoritism cannot override the legal rights of the firstborn, protecting vulnerable family members from injustice.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by setting guidelines for family inheritance, showing that God's law values fairness and order even in complicated family situations.
  • This law helps explain later biblical stories where inheritance and favoritism cause conflict, such as the stories of Jacob and Esau or Joseph and his brothers.

Where else these words appear

“strength” Hebrew H202 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • Job 20:10 His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods.
  • Isaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

“firstborn” Hebrew H1062 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
  • Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
  • Deuteronomy 12:17 Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:

“acknowledge” Hebrew H5234 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 27:23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.
  • Ruth 3:14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
  • Job 24:13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.

“beginning” Hebrew H7225 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
  • 1 Samuel 2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
  • Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.