Deuteronomy 21:17
Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all he has. That son is the firstfruits of his strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.
Additional Resources
Other Translations
King James Version 1769 (Standard 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.
KJV1611 – Modern English
But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated 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.
King James Version 1611 (Original)
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.
American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers
but he shall acknowledge{H5234} the first-born,{H1060} the son{H1121} of the hated,{H8130} by giving{H5414} him a double{H8147} portion{H6310} of all that he hath;{H4672} for he is the beginning{H7225} of his strength;{H202} the right{H4941} of the first-born{H1062} is his.
King James Version with Strong's Numbers
But he shall acknowledge{H5234}{(H8686)} the son{H1121} of the hated{H8130}{(H8803)} for the firstborn{H1060}, by giving{H5414}{(H8800)} him a double{H8147} portion{H6310} of all that he hath{H4672}{(H8735)}: for he is the beginning{H7225} of his strength{H202}; the right{H4941} of the firstborn{H1062} is his.
Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)
But he shall knowe the sonne off the hated for his firstborne, that he geue hym dowble off all that he hath. For he is the first off his strength, and to him belongeth the right of the firstborneshippe.
Coverdale Bible (1535)
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.
Geneva Bible (1560)
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.
Bishops' 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.
Authorized King James Version (1611)
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.
Webster's Bible (1833)
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.
Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)
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.
American Standard Version (1901)
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.
American Standard Version (1901)
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 (1941)
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.
World English Bible (2000)
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.
NET Bible® (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.
Referenced Verses
- Gen 49:3 : 3 'Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength, and the first of my vigor, excelling in dignity and excelling in power.'
- Gen 25:31-34 : 31 Jacob replied, 'First, sell me your birthright.' 32 Esau said, 'Look, I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?' 33 But Jacob said, 'Swear to me first.' So Esau swore an oath to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. Esau ate, drank, got up, and went on his way. So Esau despised his birthright.
- Gen 25:5-6 : 5 Abraham gave everything he owned to Isaac. 6 But to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still alive, he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the land of the east.
- 1 Chr 5:1-2 : 1 The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel—although he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, because he defiled his father’s bed. He is not counted as the firstborn in the records. 2 Though Judah became strong among his brothers and a leader came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.
- Ps 105:36 : 36 He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their strength.
Similar Verses (AI)
These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.
- Deut 21:15-162 verses88%
15 If a man has two wives, one loved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the firstborn is the son of the unloved wife,
16 on the day he gives his inheritance to his sons, he must not give the rights of the firstborn to the son of the loved wife in place of the son of the unloved wife, who is really the firstborn.
- Deut 21:18-203 verses76%
18 If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father or mother, and they discipline him but he will not listen to them,
19 his father and mother are to take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his city.
20 They shall say to the elders, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not listen to us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.’
- 1 Chr 5:1-22 verses72%
1 The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel—although he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, because he defiled his father’s bed. He is not counted as the firstborn in the records.
2 Though Judah became strong among his brothers and a leader came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.
- Gen 48:17-193 verses71%
17 When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s.
18 Joseph said to his father, 'No, my father, this one is the firstborn; place your right hand on his head.'
19 But his father refused and said, 'I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.'
- 70%
3 Their father gave them many gifts of silver, gold, and valuable things, along with fortified cities in Judah. However, he gave the kingdom to Jehoram since he was the firstborn.
- 70%
2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share in the inheritance among the brothers.
- 69%
21 An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.
- 69%
29 Do the same with your cattle and your sheep; let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.
- 69%
6 The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name is not blotted out of Israel.
- 69%
20 You must redeem the firstborn of a donkey with a lamb, and if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. You must redeem all the firstborn of your sons. No one is to appear before Me empty-handed.
- Num 27:9-102 verses68%
9 If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers.
10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.
- 67%
14 But Israel stretched out his right hand and placed it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger; and crossing his hands, he placed his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.
- 67%
12 The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided the property between them.
- Exod 13:12-132 verses67%
12 you shall set apart to the LORD all that first opens the womb. Every firstborn male of your livestock belongs to the LORD.
13 Redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb; but if you do not redeem it, you must break its neck. And you must redeem every firstborn among your sons.
- 67%
37 Finally, he sent his son to them. 'They will respect my son,' he said.
- 67%
26 Laban replied, 'It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter before the older one.'
- 67%
3 'Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength, and the first of my vigor, excelling in dignity and excelling in power.'
- 67%
9 If he designates her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter.
- 67%
21 If a servant is pampered from youth, in the end he will cause grief.
- Exod 4:22-232 verses66%
22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son,
23 and I told you to let my son go so he may worship me, but you refused to let him go. So I will kill your firstborn son.'
- 66%
24 Whoever spares the rod hates their child, but the one who loves their child is diligent to discipline them.
- 66%
6 Children’s children are the crown of the elderly, and the glory of children is their parents.
- 66%
41 Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, 'The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.'
- 66%
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
- 66%
27 He will call to me, 'You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.'
- 66%
31 Whether it gores a son or a daughter, the same judgment applies to him.
- 66%
10 Suppose he has a violent son who sheds blood or does any of these evil things,
- 66%
4 You shall give him the firstfruits of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the first fleece of your sheep.
- 66%
15 Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, saying, 'A male child has been born to you,' and made him very glad.
- 66%
15 Every firstborn that opens the womb, of all flesh offered to the LORD, whether human or animal, shall belong to you. However, you must surely redeem the firstborn of humans and redeem the firstborn of unclean animals.
- 66%
24 The father of a righteous child will greatly rejoice; a man who fathers a wise son will delight in him.
- 65%
14 Now suppose this person has a son who sees all the sins his father has committed. Though he sees them, he does not do such things:
- 65%
8 Now, my son, listen to my voice and do what I command you.
- 65%
23 The king said, 'This one says, “My son is the living one, and your son is the dead one,” while the other says, “No, your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.”'
- 65%
19 God stores up their iniquity for their children. Let him repay them so that they may experience it themselves.
- 65%
8 They shall share equally in their meals, regardless of the income from their family possessions.
- 65%
13 This is the portion allocated by God to a wicked man, the inheritance ruthless men will receive from the Almighty:
- 65%
16 For they are entirely given to me from among the Israelites. I have taken them in place of every firstborn that opens the womb among the Israelites.