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:
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִהְיֶ֨יןָ
H1961
תִהְיֶ֨יןָ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְאִ֜ישׁ
If a man
H376
לְאִ֜ישׁ
If a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְהָֽאַחַ֣ת
and another
H259
וְהָֽאַחַ֣ת
and another
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וְהָֽאַחַ֣ת
and another
H259
וְהָֽאַחַ֣ת
and another
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וְיָֽלְדוּ
and they have born
H3205
וְיָֽלְדוּ
and they have born
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
10 of 18
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
הַבֵּ֥ן
him children
H1121
הַבֵּ֥ן
him children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְהָיָ֛ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֛ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַבֵּ֥ן
him children
H1121
הַבֵּ֥ן
him children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
16 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Historical Context
Jacob's family perfectly illustrates this: he loved Rachel over Leah, yet Leah's sons (especially Judah) carried the messianic line. Genesis 29:31 says "the LORD saw that Leah was hated," using the same Hebrew root. This law prevents repeating Jacob's favoritism that nearly destroyed his family through jealousy and violence (Genesis 37).
Questions for Reflection
- How does parental favoritism damage families, and what safeguards can protect against it?
- In what ways does God's concern for the "hated" wife and her children reflect His heart for the overlooked and disadvantaged?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated (כִּי־תִהְיֶיןָ לְאִישׁ שְׁתֵּי נָשִׁים הָאַחַת אֲהוּבָה וְהָאַחַת שְׂנוּאָה)—The law acknowledges polygamy's reality without endorsing it. Ahuv (beloved) and senu'ah (hated) describe the emotional favoritism that destroys families. The term "hated" doesn't necessarily mean active malice, but comparative neglect—loved less (cf. Genesis 29:31, where Leah was "hated" compared to Rachel).
And the firstborn son be hers that was hated (וְהָיָה הַבֵּן הַבְּכֹר לַשְּׂנִיאָה)—The issue is inheritance rights: will the father manipulate the bekhor (firstborn) status to favor the beloved wife's son? The law protects the legal rights of the less-favored wife's son, preventing emotional favoritism from corrupting legal justice.