Definition: 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:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 21:15. It's a pretty complex passage about family relationships and responsibility. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: This verse describes a situation where a man has two wives – one beloved and one hated. He has children from both of them. Now, here’s the crucial part: the firstborn son is his , and that firstborn son is the one who was hated . Let's unpack it step-by-step: “If a man have two wives…” : This sets up the scenario – he has two partners in marriage. “…one beloved, and another hated” : This describes the two wives. One is considered good and loved, while the other is considered bad and disliked. “[both] the beloved and the hated” : This means that both of these women are involved in the child-bearing relationship. “and [if] the firstborn son be hers that was hated” : This is where it gets tricky. If this man’s hated son (the one he's now raising) does have children with his beloved wife, then… The Consequence: ...the firstborn son becomes the slave of the hated woman. It’s a very serious consequence for the man! What does this mean in terms of God's perspective? This verse is about divine justice and responsibility . It highlights that God isn't just concerned with the happiness of the people, but also with upholding His laws and ensuring fairness. It’s a reminder that even within a family, there are consequences for actions and choices. Important Note: This is a very old passage dealing with complex legal and ethical issues in ancient Israelite society. It's often interpreted as a warning against marrying someone you don’t love or who might cause you trouble. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious scholar. This explanation is for educational purposes only and does not constitute biblical interpretation. Would you like me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Give you some context about the ancient world where this verse was written? Discuss how this verse relates to other aspects of Jewish law or tradition?