Exodus 21:10 Meaning and Explanation
“If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A master must not reduce a first wife's food, clothing, or conjugal rights if he takes an additional wife.
The Context of Exodus 21:10
A first wife's rights persist despite polygamy
What Does Exodus 21:10 Mean?
This law protects a wife's basic welfare and her marital relationship even when her husband adds another wife to the household. Polygamy was permitted in ancient Israel, but it could not be used as an excuse to deprive the first wife of sustenance, care, or her marital due—the physical and relational intimacy that belongs to a wife.
The law insists that household expansion cannot justify deprivation. A wife's fundamental needs and her right to her husband's intimate presence remain inviolable, protecting her dignity and security within the marriage covenant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 21:10
What does Exodus 21:10 mean?
A master must not reduce a first wife's food, clothing, or conjugal rights if he takes an additional wife.
What is the context of Exodus 21:10?
A first wife's rights persist despite polygamy