Laws Concerning Children

21:15 Suppose a man has two wives, one whom he loves more than the other,30 and they both31 bear him sons, with the firstborn being the child of the less loved wife. 21:16 In the day he divides his inheritance32 he must not appoint as firstborn the son of the favorite wife in place of the other33 wife’s son who is actually the firstborn. 21:17 Rather, he must acknowledge the son of the less loved34 wife as firstborn and give him the double portion35 of all he has, for that son is the beginning of his father’s procreative power36—to him should go the right of the firstborn.

21:18 If a person has a stubborn, rebellious son who pays no attention to his father or mother, and they discipline him to no avail,37 21:19 his father and mother must seize him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his city. 21:20 They must declare to the elders38 of his city, “Our son is stubborn and rebellious and pays no attention to what we say—he is a glutton and drunkard.” 21:21 Then all the men of his city must stone him to death. In this way you will purge out39 wickedness from among you, and all Israel40 will hear about it and be afraid.