Deuteronomy 21:15

God's Word

A man might have two wives and love one but not the other. Both wives might have children, and the firstborn son might belong to the wife that the man doesn’t love.

Cross References

Genesis 29:18

Jacob loved Rachel. So he offered, “I’ll work seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”

Genesis 29:20

Jacob worked seven years in return for Rachel, but the years seemed like only a few days to him because he loved her.

Genesis 29:33

She became pregnant again and gave birth to another son. She said, “Certainly, the Lord has heard that I’m unloved, and he also has given me this son.” So she named him Simeon [Hearing].

2 Chronicles 11:22

Rehoboam appointed Abijah, son of Maacah, as family head and prince among his brothers. By doing this, Rehoboam could make him king.

Deuteronomy 21:16

When the day comes for the father to give his sons their inheritance, he can’t treat the son of the wife he loves as if that son were the firstborn. This would show a total disregard for the real firstborn (the son of the wife he doesn’t love).

1 Samuel 1:2

Elkanah had two wives, one named Hannah, the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.