Deuteronomy 21:15
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:
Cross-references
In Genesis 29:30, Jacob loving Rachel more than Leah illustrates the same loved/unloved wife dynamic addressed in the law.
In Genesis 29:31, Leah is explicitly called 'hated' by God's perspective, providing a direct biblical example of an unloved wife.
In Genesis 29:33, Leah again notes she was 'hated', reinforcing the pattern of a despised wife bearing children.
In 1 Samuel 1:5, Elkanah gives Hannah a double portion because he loved her—contrasting the law where the unloved wife's firstborn gets the double portion.
In 2 Chronicles 11:22, Rehoboam promotes Abijah (son of his favorite wife) as chief prince, bypassing the firstborn—contrary to the law's protection.
In 2 Chronicles 21:3, Jehoshaphat gives the kingdom to his firstborn Jehoram, upholding the principle that the firstborn receives the primary inheritance.
Genesis 29:18 shows Jacob's love for Rachel, illustrating the 'loved wife' concept that this inheritance law addresses.
Genesis 29:20 emphasizes Jacob's deep love for Rachel, further illustrating the favoritism that the law regulates.