Deuteronomy 21:15

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:

Deuteronomy 21:15 (KJV)

Context

Deuteronomy records the speeches of Moses to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. The book contains laws, commandments, and instructions for building a society that lives in obedience to God. This verse is part of a larger legal code covering civil, social, and family matters.

Meaning

The verse describes a man with two wives, one beloved and one hated. Both wives have borne him children, and the firstborn son belongs to the hated wife. The words “beloved” and “hated” do not mean emotional love or hatred in the modern sense. They indicate a difference in status or favour. The beloved wife is the one the husband favours, while the hated wife receives less favour or attention.

The law acknowledges the practice of polygamy common in ancient times. However, the Bible records such practices without necessarily approving them. This verse does not command polygamy; it regulates an existing practice to prevent injustice. The focus is on protecting the rights of the firstborn son, regardless of his mother’s status.

Biblical connections

The firstborn son had special rights and privileges in ancient Israelite society, including receiving a double portion of the father’s inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17). This verse sets up a legal case that the next verse resolves: the father is forbidden from giving the firstborn’s inheritance rights to the son of the beloved wife. The law protects the birthright of the firstborn, even when the father prefers another wife. This principle guards against arbitrary favouritism and ensures that inheritance rights are determined by birth order, not by the father’s affection.

Application

This verse demonstrates the importance of justice and equity within the Israelite society. Even though the husband may have personal preferences among his wives, the rights of the children and the principles of fairness are upheld. The law ensures that the firstborn son of the hated wife is not disadvantaged or denied his rightful inheritance because of his mother’s status.

As believers today, we can draw principles from this verse and apply them to our lives. We should strive for justice, fairness, and equity in our relationships, treating all individuals with respect and ensuring that no one is disadvantaged or mistreated due to personal biases. We can learn from this verse to value each person’s inherent worth and to promote a spirit of equality and fairness in our families and communities.

This law reflects God’s character as one who defends the rights of the marginalized and upholds order in family life. It also points to the importance of honoring commitments and not letting personal bias distort justice. Even in imperfect family structures, God’s concern for fairness and the protection of the vulnerable is clear.

Reflection

Consider how personal preferences can sometimes influence decisions in your own family or community. This verse calls us to examine whether we allow favouritism to override what is right. God’s law here protects the vulnerable and upholds the principle that a father cannot disinherit his firstborn simply because of the mother’s status. Let this passage encourage you to act with fairness and to defend the rights of those who may be overlooked.