Verse 17

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 might and the beginning of my strength, outstanding in dignity, outstanding in power.
• Gen 25:31-34 : 31 But Jacob replied,“First sell me your birthright.” 32 “Look,” said Esau,“I’m about to die! What use is the birthright to me?” 33 But Jacob said,“Swear an oath to me now.” So Esau swore an oath to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew; Esau ate and drank, then got up and went out. So Esau despised his birthright.
• Gen 25:5-6 : 5 Everything he owned Abraham left to his son Isaac. 6 But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them off to the east, away from his son Isaac.
• 1 Chr 5:1-2 : 1 Reuben’s Descendants The sons of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn–(Now he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph, Israel’s son. So Reuben is not listed as firstborn in the genealogical records. 2 Though Judah was the strongest among his brothers and a leader descended from him, the right of the firstborn belonged to Joseph.)
• Ps 105:36 : 36 He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of their reproductive power.