Exodus 21:10

10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or 1her marital rights.

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 her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her.
9 If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter.
10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights.
11 And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.
12 "Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 1 Corinthians 7:5
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.