Deuteronomy 21:16 “when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint…”

Deuteronomy 21:16

when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn:

World English Bible

then it shall be, in the day that he causes his sons to inherit that which he has, that he may not give the son of the beloved the rights of the firstborn before the son of the hated, who is the firstborn;

American Standard Version

then it shall be, in the day that he causeth his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved the first-born before the son of the hated, who is the first-born:

Geneva Bible 1599

Then when the time commeth, that hee appointeth his sonnes to be heires of that which he hath, he may not make the sonne of the beloued first borne before the sonne of the hated, which is the first borne:

Darby Translation

then it shall be, in the day that he maketh his sons to inherit what he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, who is the firstborn;

Young's Literal Translation

then it hath been, in the day of his causing his sons to inherit that which he hath, he is not able to declare first-born the son of the loved one, in the face of the son of the hated one — the first-born.

Bible in Basic English

Then when he gives his property to his sons for their heritage, he is not to put the son of his loved one in the place of the first son, the son of the hated wife:

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Cross references

“Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn:”

1 Chronicles 5:2 1 Chronicles 26:10 2 Chronicles 21:3 Romans 8:29 Philippians 4:8 2 Chronicles 11:19–22

1 Chronicles 5:2 · BSB

And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.

1 Chronicles 26:10 · BSB

Hosah the Merarite also had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him as the first),

2 Chronicles 21:3 · BSB

Their father had given them many gifts of silver and gold and precious things, as well as the fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.

Romans 8:29 · BSB

For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

Philippians 4:8 · BSB

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

2 Chronicles 11:19–22 · BSB

She bore sons to him: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

15If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son,

17Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.

Read Deuteronomy 21