Skip to reading
Atomic Bible
Deuteronomy 21:17
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.
from Inheritance Rights of the Firstborn, Deuteronomy 21:15-17
What it says

He must recognize the firstborn son of the unloved wife by giving him a double portion, because the right of the firstborn is his.

What it is doing

It affirms the firstborn's claim and grounds it in established right.

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, 16when 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. 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.