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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 21:10 If he takes another wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of his first wife.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/21-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/02_Exo_21_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 21:10 - Laws for Servants" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If he takes another wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of his first wife." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/21-10.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/21-10.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 10</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/21-9.htm" title="Exodus 21:9">◄</a> Exodus 21:10 <a href="/exodus/21-11.htm" title="Exodus 21:11">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“If a man who has married a slave wife takes another wife for himself, he must not neglect the rights of the first wife to food, clothing, and sexual intimacy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If he takes another wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of his first wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If he take him another <i>wife</i>; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If he takes another <i>wife,</i> he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If he takes for himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If her master marries another wife, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her privilege as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If he takes an additional wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of the first wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If he takes an additional wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of the first wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If the man later marries another woman, he must continue to provide food and clothing for the one he bought and to treat her as a wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If that son marries another woman, he must not deprive the first wife of food, clothes, or sex.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If a man takes a second wife, he must continue to give his first wife the same amount of food and clothing and the same rights that she had before. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If he takes another woman for himself, he may not withhold from the first her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If he takes another wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of his first wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If he takes another wife, he must not diminish the first one's food, her clothing, or her marital rights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marital rights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If he shall take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage shall he not diminish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marital rights. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If he takes another [woman] for him, he does not withdraw her food, her covering, and her habitation;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If another woman he take for him, her food, her covering, and her habitation, he doth not withdraw;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If he shall take to him another, her food and her covering and her cohabitation he shall not take away.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And if he take another wife for him, he shall provide her a marriage, and raiment, neither shall he refuse the price of her chastity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And if he takes another for him, he shall provide to the maiden a marriage, and clothing, and he shall not refuse the price of her chastity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If he takes another wife, he shall not withhold her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish the food, clothing, or marital rights of the first wife.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If he takes to himself another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothes, and her conjugal rights.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if he will take to himself another wife; her provisions and her clothing and her bed he shall not take.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If he take him another wife, her food, her raiment, and her conjugal rights, shall he not diminish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And if he take another to himself, he shall not deprive her of necessaries and her apparel, and her companionship <i>with him</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/21-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5225" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Laws for Servants</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">9</span>And if he chooses her for his son, he must deal with her as with a daughter. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: yiq·qaḥ- (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">he takes</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/312.htm" title="312: ’a·ḥe·reṯ (Adj-fsc) -- Another. From 'achar; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.">another wife,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">he must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1639.htm" title="1639: yiḡ·rā‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To diminish, restrain, withdraw. A primitive root; to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold.">reduce</a> <a href="/hebrew/7607.htm" title="7607: šə·’ê·rāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Flesh. From sha'ar; flesh, as living or for food; generally food of any kind; figuratively, kindred by blood.">the food,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3682.htm" title="3682: kə·sū·ṯāh (N-fsc:: 3fs) -- A covering. From kacah; a cover; figuratively, a veiling.">clothing,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5772.htm" title="5772: wə·‘ō·nā·ṯāh (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 3fs) -- Sexual. From an unused root apparently meaning to dwell together; sexual.">or marital rights of his first wife.</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>If, however, he does not provide her with these three things, she is free to go without monetary payment.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-15.htm">Deuteronomy 21:15-17</a></span><br />If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-3.htm">1 Corinthians 7:3-5</a></span><br />The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. / The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife. / Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-28.htm">Ephesians 5:28-29</a></span><br />In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. / Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-8.htm">1 Timothy 5:8</a></span><br />If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-14.htm">Malachi 2:14-16</a></span><br />Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. / Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. / “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a></span><br />For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4-6</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ / and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? / So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-7.htm">1 Peter 3:7</a></span><br />Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-19.htm">Colossians 3:19</a></span><br />Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/5-18.htm">Proverbs 5:18-19</a></span><br />May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth: / A loving doe, a graceful fawn—may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-30.htm">Genesis 29:30</a></span><br />Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">1 Corinthians 7:10-11</a></span><br />To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/18-18.htm">Leviticus 18:18</a></span><br />You must not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is still alive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-31.htm">Matthew 5:31-32</a></span><br />It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ / But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-11.htm">1 Corinthians 11:11-12</a></span><br />In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. / For just as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.</p><p class="hdg">her food.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">1 Corinthians 7:1-6</a></b></br> Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: <i>It is</i> good for a man not to touch a woman… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/19-14.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-3.htm">Conjugal</a> <a href="/exodus/14-28.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-15.htm">Deprive</a> <a href="/exodus/5-19.htm">Diminish</a> <a href="/exodus/1-16.htm">Duty</a> <a href="/exodus/13-13.htm">First</a> <a href="/exodus/16-35.htm">Food</a> <a href="/exodus/15-13.htm">Habitation</a> <a href="/exodus/16-17.htm">Less</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-3.htm">Marital</a> <a href="/exodus/2-21.htm">Marriage</a> <a href="/exodus/21-8.htm">Married</a> <a href="/exodus/21-9.htm">Marries</a> <a href="/exodus/12-35.htm">Raiment</a> <a href="/exodus/5-19.htm">Reduce</a> <a href="/exodus/21-9.htm">Rights</a> <a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-5.htm">Withdraw</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/22-9.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-3.htm">Conjugal</a> <a href="/exodus/21-33.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-17.htm">Deprive</a> <a href="/exodus/30-15.htm">Diminish</a> <a href="/numbers/3-36.htm">Duty</a> <a href="/exodus/22-29.htm">First</a> <a href="/exodus/21-28.htm">Food</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-46.htm">Habitation</a> <a href="/exodus/30-15.htm">Less</a> <a href="/matthew/5-32.htm">Marital</a> <a href="/exodus/22-16.htm">Marriage</a> <a href="/exodus/22-16.htm">Married</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-14.htm">Marries</a> <a href="/exodus/22-9.htm">Raiment</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-22.htm">Reduce</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-31.htm">Rights</a> <a href="/exodus/22-16.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-25.htm">Withdraw</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-1.htm">Laws for men servants</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">For the servant whose ear is bored</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">For women servants</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">For manslaughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-16.htm">For kidnappers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-17.htm">For cursers of parents</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">For smiters</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">For a hurt by chance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-28.htm">For an ox that gores</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-33.htm">For him who is an occasion of harm</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/exodus/21.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>If he takes another wife</b><br />This phrase addresses the practice of polygamy, which was culturally accepted in ancient Israelite society. The Hebrew word for "wife" here is "אִשָּׁה" (ishah), which can also mean "woman." The context of this passage is a set of laws given to the Israelites to ensure justice and fairness, even within the framework of polygamy. Historically, polygamy was often practiced for social, economic, or political reasons, and this law seeks to protect the rights of the first wife, ensuring she is not neglected.<p><b>he must not reduce</b><br />The Hebrew verb "גָּרַע" (gara) means "to diminish" or "to take away." This command emphasizes the husband's responsibility to maintain the same level of care and provision for his first wife, despite taking another. It reflects God's concern for justice and the well-being of individuals, ensuring that the first wife's status and needs are not compromised.<p><b>the food</b><br />The term "שְׁאֵרָה" (she'erah) refers to sustenance or provisions, often translated as "flesh" or "food." In the ancient Near Eastern context, providing food was a fundamental aspect of a husband's duty to his wife. This provision is a basic necessity, and the law underscores the importance of meeting physical needs as a reflection of love and responsibility.<p><b>clothing</b><br />The Hebrew word "כְּסוּתָהּ" (kesutah) means "covering" or "garment." Clothing is a basic human need, and in biblical times, it was a symbol of dignity and protection. By ensuring that the first wife's clothing is not diminished, the law upholds her dignity and status within the household, reflecting God's care for the vulnerable.<p><b>or marital rights</b><br />The phrase "וְעֹנָתָהּ" (ve'onatah) refers to conjugal rights or marital intimacy. This aspect of the law highlights the importance of emotional and physical intimacy in marriage. It recognizes the first wife's right to a fulfilling marital relationship, emphasizing that her emotional and relational needs must not be neglected.<p><b>of his first wife</b><br />The focus on the "first wife" underscores her established position and rights within the marriage. In a society where women often had limited legal standing, this law provides protection and ensures that the first wife is not marginalized or deprived of her rightful place and provisions.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) <span class= "bld">If he take him another wife.</span>--Polygamy is viewed as lawful in this passage, as elsewhere generally in the Mosaic Law, which did not venture to forbid, though to some extent discouraging it. The legislator was forced to allow many things to the Hebrews, "for the hardness of their hearts" (<a href="/matthew/19-8.htm" title="He said to them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.">Matthew 19:8</a>).<p><span class= "bld">Her duty of marriage.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">her right of cohabitation.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If</span> <span class="cmt_word">he take him another wife</span> - <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, If he marry her himself, and then take another, even a legitimate, wife - <span class="cmt_word">her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage shall he not diminish</span> - she shall retain during her life all the privileges of a married woman - he shall not diminish aught from them. The word translated "duty of marriage" seems to mean "right of cohabitation." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/21-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he takes</span><br /><span class="heb">יִֽקַּֽח־</span> <span class="translit">(yiq·qaḥ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">another wife,</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֶ֖רֶת</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥe·reṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_312.htm">Strong's 312: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hinder, next, other</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">reduce</span><br /><span class="heb">יִגְרָֽע׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiḡ·rā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1639.htm">Strong's 1639: </a> </span><span class="str2">To scrape off, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the food,</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁאֵרָ֛הּ</span> <span class="translit">(šə·’ê·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7607.htm">Strong's 7607: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, as living, for, food, food of any kind, kindred by blood</span><br /><br /><span class="word">clothing,</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּסוּתָ֥הּ</span> <span class="translit">(kə·sū·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3682.htm">Strong's 3682: </a> </span><span class="str2">A cover, a veiling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or marital rights [of his first wife].</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֹנָתָ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ō·nā·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5772.htm">Strong's 5772: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sexual</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/21-10.htm">Exodus 21:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/21-10.htm">Exodus 21:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/21-10.htm">Exodus 21:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/21-10.htm">Exodus 21:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/21-10.htm">Exodus 21:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/21-10.htm">Exodus 21:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/21-10.htm">Exodus 21:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/21-10.htm">Exodus 21:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/21-10.htm">Exodus 21:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/21-10.htm">Exodus 21:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/21-10.htm">OT Law: Exodus 21:10 If he takes another wife to himself (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/21-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 21:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/21-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 21:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>