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:
If a man has two wives, one he loves and one he doesn't love, and both wives have given him children, and if the firstborn son belongs to the wife he doesn't love:
This verse begins a law about treating children fairly, even when they come from a wife the father doesn't prefer.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context of ancient Israel, polygamy was a common practice in many Near Eastern cultures, though it often led to family tensions as seen in various biblical stories. This law in Deuteronomy was given to Moses as part of the covenant instructions for the Israelites entering the Promised Land, aiming to ensure fairness in inheritance and protect the rights of the firstborn son. It reflects the societal norms of the time while emphasizing God's concern for justice within family structures.
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