King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 21:15 Mean?

Deuteronomy 21:15 in the King James Version says “If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Deuteronomy 21:15 · KJV

Context

13

And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.

14

And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.

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:

16

Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn:

17

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. that: Heb. that is found with him

Read Deuteronomy 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does parental favoritism damage families, and what safeguards can protect against it?
  2. In what ways does God's concern for the "hated" wife and her children reflect His heart for the overlooked and disadvantaged?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
כִּֽי1 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תִהְיֶ֨יןָ2 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְאִ֜ישׁ3 of 18

“If a man”

H376

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)

שְׁתֵּ֣י4 of 18

“have two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

נָשִׁ֗ים5 of 18

“wives”

H802

a woman

וְהָֽאַחַ֣ת6 of 18

“and another”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

הָֽאֲהוּבָ֖ה7 of 18

“beloved”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

וְהָֽאַחַ֣ת8 of 18

“and another”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וְהַשְּׂנוּאָ֑ה9 of 18

“and the hated”

H8130

to hate (personally)

וְיָֽלְדוּ10 of 18

“and they have born”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

ל֣וֹ11 of 18
H0
הַבֵּ֥ן12 of 18

“him children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הָֽאֲהוּבָ֖ה13 of 18

“beloved”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

וְהַשְּׂנוּאָ֑ה14 of 18

“and the hated”

H8130

to hate (personally)

וְהָיָ֛ה15 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַבֵּ֥ן16 of 18

“him children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַבְּכֹ֖ר17 of 18

“and if the firstborn”

H1060

first-born; hence, chief

לַשְּׂנִיאָֽה׃18 of 18

“be hers that was hated”

H8146

hated

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 21:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 21:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 29:33Genesis 29:20Genesis 29:18Genesis 29:30-311 Samuel 1:4-5

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Deuteronomy 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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