Deu 21:15-16 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Deut 21:15-17: 21:15-17 The law required that a firstborn son receive the greater share of his father’s inheritance (see 21:15-16 ; 2 Kgs 2:9 ). The custom of giving the firstborn son a double portion is first recorded here but was implied in earlier practice (see Gen 25:31-34 ; 27:1-4 ; 48:8-22 ). • son of his father’s virility: The eldest male child carried this distinction because he proved that the man was capable of siring children, and a boy in particular.

a21:15-17►

b21:15-16►

c2 Kgs 2:9►

dGen 25:31-34►

e27:1-4►

f48:8-22►

‏ Deuteronomy 21:15-16

Summary for Deut 21:15-17: 21:15-17 ^a The law required that a firstborn son receive the greater share of his father’s inheritance (see 21:15-16 ^b; 2 Kgs 2:9 ^c). The custom of giving the firstborn son a double portion is first recorded here but was implied in earlier practice (see Gen 25:31-34 ^d; 27:1-4 ^e; 48:8-22 ^f).

• son of his father’s virility: The eldest male child carried this distinction because he proved that the man was capable of siring children, and a boy in particular.