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Tuesday, July 29th, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
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Read the Bible

Myles Coverdale Bible

Deuteronomy 21:17

but he shall knowe the sonne of the hated for ye first sonne, so that he geue him dubble of all that is at hande: for the same is ye begynnynge of his strength, & the firstbyrthrighte is his.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Birthright;   Children;   Favoritism;   Firstborn;   Heir;   Inheritance;   Polygamy;   Thompson Chain Reference - First-Born;   Ownership, Divine;   Stewardship-Ownership;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Children;   First Born, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Birthright;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Concubine;   Firstborn;   Inheritance;   Marriage;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Firstborn;   Government;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Alms;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Birthright;   First-Born;   Heir;   Jacob;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Birthright;   Elijah;   Heir;   Joseph;   Manasseh (1);   Reuben;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Adoption;   Birthright;   Economic Life;   Esau;   Hammurabi;   Hate, Hatred;   Inheritance;   Nuzi;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Clean and Unclean;   Crimes and Punishments;   Deuteronomy;   Esau;   Family;   Firstborn;   Inheritance;   Jacob;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Arbitration;   First-Born First-Begotten ;   Heir Heritage Inheritance;   Living (2);   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Birth-Right;   Children;   First-Begotten, First-Born,;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Birthright;   Concubine;   Firstborn;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Birthright;   First-Born;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Other Laws;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Birthright;   Double;   Firstborn;   Heir;   Inheritance;   Law in the Old Testament;   Number;   Portion;   Primogeniture;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Birthright;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Agnates;   Birthright;   Elisha;   Family and Family Life;   Inheritance;   Marriage;   Polygamy;   Will;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
He must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved wife, by giving him two shares of his estate, for he is the firstfruits of his virility; he has the rights of the firstborn.
Hebrew Names Version
but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he has; for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
But he shall acknowledge the firstborn son of the disliked wife by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the firstfruit of his vigor; to him is the legal claim of the birthright.
English Standard Version
but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.
New Century Version
He must agree to give the older son two shares of everything he owns, even though the older son is from the wife he does not love. That son was the first to prove his father could have children, so he has the rights that belong to the older son.
New English Translation
Rather, he must acknowledge the son of the less loved wife as firstborn and give him the double portion of all he has, for that son is the beginning of his father's procreative power—to him should go the right of the firstborn.
Amplified Bible
"Instead he shall acknowledge the son of the unloved as the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he was the beginning of his strength (generative power); to him belongs the right of the firstborn.
New American Standard Bible
"On the contrary, he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of everything that he owns, for he was the beginning of his strength; to him belongs the right of the firstborn.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But he shall acknowledge the sonne of the hated for the first borne, and giue him double portion of all that he hath: for hee is the first of his strength, and to him belongeth the right of the first borne.
Legacy Standard Bible
But he shall recognize the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the first of his vigor; the legal judgment for the firstborn belongs to him.
Complete Jewish Bible
No, he must acknowledge as firstborn the son of the unloved wife by giving him a double portion of everything he owns, for he is the firstfruits of his manhood, and the right of the firstborn is his.
Darby Translation
but he shall acknowledge as firstborn the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that is found with him; for he is the firstfruits of his vigour: the right of the firstborn is his.
Easy-to-Read Version
The man must accept the firstborn son from the wife he does not love. The man must give that son a double share of everything he owns because that son is his first child. The right of the firstborn belongs to that son.
George Lamsa Translation
But the first-born, the son of the hated, he must receive double portion of all that he has; for he is the first of his children; and the right of the first-born is his.
Good News Translation
He is to give a double share of his possessions to his first son, even though he is not the son of his favorite wife. A man must acknowledge his first son and give him the share he is legally entitled to.
Literal Translation
But he shall acknowledge the first-born, the son of the hated one, by giving him a double portion of all that he has; for he is the firstfruit of his strength, the right of the first-born is his.
American Standard Version
but he shall acknowledge the first-born, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath; for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the first-born is his.
Bible in Basic English
But he is to give his first son his birthright, and twice as great a part of his property: for he is the first-fruits of his strength and the right of the first son is his.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But he shall knowe the sonne of the hated for the first borne, and geue hym dowble portion of all that he hath: For he is the first of his strength, and to hym belongeth the ryght of the first borne.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
but he shall acknowledge the first-born, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath; for he is the first-fruits of his strength, the right of the first-born is his.
King James Version (1611)
But hee shall acknowledge the sonne of the hated for the first borne, by giuing him a double portion of all that hee hath: for hee is the beginning of his strength; the right of the first borne is his.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
But he shall acknowledge the first-born of the hated one to give to him double of all things which shall be found by him, because he is the first of his children, and to him belongs the birthright.
English Revised Version
but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated, 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.
Berean Standard Bible
Instead, 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.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
but he schal knowe the sone of the hateful wijf the firste gendrid, and he schal yyue to that sone alle thingis double of tho thingis that he hath; for this sone is the begynnyng of his fre children, and the firste gendrid thingis ben due to hym.
Young's Literal Translation
But the first-born, son of the hated one, he doth acknowledge, to give to him a double portion of all that is found with him, for he [is] the beginning of his strength; to him [is] the right of the first-born.
Update Bible Version
but he shall acknowledge the first-born, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he has; for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the first-born is his.
Webster's Bible Translation
But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated [for] the first-born, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he [is] the beginning of his strength; the right of the first-born [is] his.
World English Bible
but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he has; for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
New King James Version
But he shall acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
New Living Translation
He must recognize the rights of his oldest son, the son of the wife he does not love, by giving him a double portion. He is the first son of his father's virility, and the rights of the firstborn belong to him.
New Life Bible
He must respect the first-born, the son of the wife who is not loved, by giving him twice the share of all he has. He is the beginning of his strength and the right of the first-born belongs to him.
New Revised Standard
He must acknowledge as firstborn the son of the one who is disliked, giving him a double portion of all that he has; since he is the first issue of his virility, the right of the firstborn is his.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
but the true firstborn the son of her that is hated, shall he treat as firstborn by giving him double out of all that is found to be his, - for, he, is the beginning of hi strength, his, is the right of the firstborn.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, and shall give him a double portion of all he hath: for this is the first of his children, and to him are due the first birthrights.
Revised Standard Version
but he shall acknowledge the first-born, the son of the disliked, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the first issue of his strength; the right of the first-born is his.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"But he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; to him belongs the right of the firstborn.

Contextual Overview

15 Yf a man haue two wyues, one that he loueth, and one that he hateth, and they beare him children, both the beloued and the hated, 16 so that the firstborne be hirs that is hated, and the tyme commeth that he dealeth out the inheritaunce vnto his children, then can he not make the sonne of ye beloued firstborne before the firstborne sonne of the hated, 17 but he shall knowe the sonne of the hated for ye first sonne, so that he geue him dubble of all that is at hande: for the same is ye begynnynge of his strength, & the firstbyrthrighte is his.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

by giving: Genesis 25:5, Genesis 25:6, Genesis 25:32, Genesis 25:34, 1 Chronicles 5:1, 1 Chronicles 5:2

that he hath: Heb. that is found with him

the beginning: Genesis 49:3, Psalms 105:36

the right: Genesis 25:31-34

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:22 - given Joshua 17:1 - the firstborn 2 Kings 2:9 - a double portion Isaiah 61:7 - your shame Luke 15:12 - give Hebrews 12:23 - the firstborn

Cross-References

Genesis 15:1
It happened after these actes, yt the worde of ye LORDE came vnto Abra in a vysion, and sayde: Feare not Abram, I am thy shylde and thy exceadinge greate rewarde.
Genesis 16:9
And the angel of the LORDE sayde vnto her: Returne to thy mastresse agayne, and submitte thyself vnder hir hande.
Genesis 16:11
And the angel of the LORDE sayde further vnto her: Beholde, thou art with childe, & shalt bringe forth a sonne, and shalt call his name Ismael, because the LORDE hath herde yi trouble.
Genesis 21:1
The LORDE also vysited Sara, acordinge as he had promysed: & dealt with her, euen as he had sayde.
Genesis 21:2
And Sara was with childe, and bare Abraham a sonne in his olde age, euen in the tyme appoynted, like as God had spoken vnto him afore.
Genesis 21:4
and circumcided him the eight daye, like as God commaunded him.
Genesis 21:6
And Sara sayde: God hath prepared a ioye for me, for who so euer heareth of it, wyll reioyse with me.
Genesis 21:13
As for the honde maydens sonne, I wyll make a people of him also, because he is of thy sede.
Genesis 21:14
Then Abraham rose vp early in the mornynge, and toke bred and a botell with water, and put it vpon Agars shulders, and gaue her the childe, and sent her awaye. Then departed she, and wandred out of the waye in ye wyldernes beside Berseba.
Genesis 46:3
And he saide: I am ye mightie God of thy father, be not afrayed to go into Egipte, for there wyl I make a greate people of the.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn,.... Own him and declare him to be so, both by his will and the division of goods by him; or he shall "separate" him, as Onkelos; distinguish him from all his other sons, and make known to all, as the Targum of Jonathan, that he is his firstborn:

by giving him a double portion of all that he hath; or, "that is found with him" t; which he was in the possession of when he made his will, or divided his goods; and so refers not to what might come into his hands afterwards, or should be his in reversion afterwards; in this the firstborn had not his double portion, only in what his father was for the present possessed of; so that if a man had two sons, his goods were divided into three parts, and the firstborn took two parts, and the other the third; if three sons, they were divided into four parts, of which the firstborn had two parts, and the others each of them one; if four sons, they were divided into five parts, and the firstborn took two, and the other three one apiece, and so in proportion; the division was made according to their number:

for he is the beginning of his strength; as Jacob said, of Reuben,

:- the right of the firstborn is his; before this law was given, there was a birthright, or a privilege belonging to the firstborn, which gave him the preeminence in the family to his brethren; but whether he was entitled to a double portion of goods, previous to this law, is not certain; however, by this it was his right, and might not be alienated from him; for, according to the Jewish canons u,

"if a man say, such an one my son, the firstborn, shall not take the double portion, and my son such an one shall not inherit with his brethren, he says nothing, cause he disposes contrary to what is written in the law.''

This law of the firstborn in the mystery of it may respect our Lord Jesus Christ, the firstborn of God, and the firstborn of Mary; and who had a double portion of the gifts and grace of the Spirit, or rather the Spirit without measure, the oil of gladness he was anointed with above his fellows, and is the firstborn among many brethren, among whom in all things he has the preeminence; and also the elect of God, the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven, who have a double portion, both temporal and spiritual things, the promise of this life and that to come, grace here and glory hereafter; and the ultimate glory is but one inheritance, they all share alike in, being equally children, and all firstborn; and it may have regard also to the Jewish and Gentile churches, the former was the beloved wife, the latter some time not beloved, and yet the children of the Gentile church have a larger measure of the Spirit than those of the jewish church had; see Romans 9:25.

t אשר ימצא לו "quod inventum fuerit ei", Pagninus, Montanus., u Misn. Bava Bathra, c. 8. sect. 5.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Moses did not originate the rights of primogeniture (compare Genesis 25:31), but recognized them, since he found them pre-existing in the general social system of the East. Paternal authority could set aside these rights on just grounds Genesis 27:33, but it is forbidden here to do so from mere partiality.


 
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