Exodus 21:10

10 If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights.

Exodus 21:10 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.
English Standard Version (ESV)
10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights.
New Living Translation (NLT)
10 “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.
The Message Bible (MSG)
10 If he marries another woman, she retains all her full rights to meals, clothing, and marital relations.
American Standard Version (ASV)
10 If he take him another [wife]; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
10 If that son marries another woman, he must not deprive the first wife of food, clothes, or sex.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
10 If he takes an additional wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of the first wife.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
10 "What if he marries another woman? He must still give the first one her food and clothes and make love to her.

Exodus 21:10 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 21:10

If he take him another wife
The father takes another wife for his son, or the son takes another wife to himself after he has betrothed and married his father's maidservant:

her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish;
neither deny it her in whole, nor lessen it in part, but give her her full due of each. What is meant by the two former words is easy, and admits of no difficulty, the latter is differently interpreted. Some take it to signify no other than an "habitation" F21, that as he was to provide food and raiment for her, so an house to dwell, in; but the generality of interpreters, Jewish and Christian, understand it as we do, of the conjugal duty, the use of the marriage bed, or what the apostle calls due benevolence, ( 1 Corinthians 7:3 ) . The word is thought to have the signification of a fixed time for it; and the Misnic doctors F23 are very particular in assigning the set times of it for different persons; and in those countries where there were, and where there still are, plurality of wives, each had, and have their turns, see ( Genesis 30:15 Genesis 30:16 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F21 (htne) "habitationem ejus", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius; so some in Aben Ezra. Vid. Pfeiffer. "dubia vexata", cent. 1. loc. 97.
F23 Misn. Cetubot, c. 5. sect. 6.

Exodus 21:10 In-Context

8 If she does not please the master who has selected her for himself, he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, because he has broken faith with her.
9 If he selects her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter.
10 If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights.
11 If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.
12 “Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 1 Corinthians 7:3-5
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