Matthew Poole and continuators on Deuteronomy 21:16

16 Then it [illegible: 1 word] be, when he maketh his sons to inheri[illegible: 1+ letters] [illegible: 1+ letters]t which he hath, that he may not make t[illegible: 1+ letters] [illegible: 1+ letters]on of the beloved, first-born, before the so[illegible: 1+ letters] [illegible: 1+ letters]f of the hated, which is indeed the first-born.

It is not lawful, because contrary to the rights and law of nature.

c Or, before the face of the son, i. e. in his life time, as this phrase is understood Gen. 11. 28. and 16. 12. and 25. 18. And when this phrase is rendred before another it signifies onely in the presence of another, but never notes the preference of one person to another, which the Hebrews express in another manner. And this may be added to intimate, that if the eldest son were dead and had left a child, the father was free to give the right of his first-born unto his second son rather than to the child of the eldest. Or this phrase may be an aggravation of the fact, whereby his father did in a manner spit in his face, and fasten a reproach upon him in his very sight and presence.

Marginal references: Chro. 11. 22.