Exodus 21:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

If he take him another [wife]; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.

Complete Jewish Bible:

If he marries another wife, he is not to reduce her food, clothing or marital rights.

Berean Standard Bible:

If he takes another wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of his first wife.

American Standard Version:

If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

If he take^{H3947} him another^{H312} wife; her food^{H7607}, her raiment^{H3682}, and her duty of marriage^{H5772}, shall he not diminish^{H1639}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Exodus 21:10

1. Themes:
- **Justice and Fairness**: The verse emphasizes the fair treatment of a wife, ensuring her rights are upheld even if her husband takes another wife.
- **Protection of the Vulnerable**: It reflects a concern for the welfare of women in a patriarchal society, mandating that a husband must continue to provide for his first wife's basic needs.
- **Marriage and Family Dynamics**: The verse addresses the complexities of polygamous marriages, which were common in the ancient Near East, by setting parameters for the husband's responsibilities.

2. Historical Context:
- **Time Period**: The Book of Exodus is set in the late 2nd millennium BCE, during the period of the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt and their subsequent exodus under Moses' leadership.
- **Cultural Practices**: Polygamy was a culturally accepted practice in the ancient world, including among the Israelites. This law would have been revolutionary in its time, offering protection to wives in a polygamous marriage.
- **Legal Codes**: Exodus 21 is part of the Covenant Code, which includes a series of laws given by God to Moses at Mount Sinai. These laws were designed to govern the social, religious, and moral life of the Israelite community, reflecting a broader Ancient Near Eastern legal tradition while also incorporating unique theological and ethical principles.
- **Social Structure**: The verse reflects the patriarchal structure of Israelite society, where men held significant power over women, particularly within the family. Despite this, the law serves as a check on the husband's authority, ensuring that his rights over his wife were not unlimited.

In summary, Exodus 21:10 addresses the rights and provisions for a wife within a polygamous marriage, reflecting a concern for justice and the protection of women's basic needs within the cultural and legal context of ancient Israelite society.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
   
2. Strong's Number: H312
   There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַחֵר
   Transliteration: ʼachêr
   Pronunciation: akh-air'
   Description: from אָחַר; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.; (an-) other man, following, next, strange.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7607
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁאֵר
   Transliteration: shᵉʼêr
   Pronunciation: sheh-ayr'
   Description: from שָׁאַר; flesh (as swelling out), as living or forfood; generally food of any kind; figuratively, kindred by blood; body, flesh, food, (near) kin(-sman, -swoman), near (nigh) (of kin).
   
4. Strong's Number: H3682
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כְּסוּת
   Transliteration: kᵉçûwth
   Pronunciation: kes-ooth'
   Description: from כָּסָה; a cover (garment); figuratively, a veiling; covering, raiment, vesture.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5772
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עוֹנָה
   Transliteration: ʻôwnâh
   Pronunciation: o-naw'
   Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to dwell together; sexual (cohabitation); duty of marriage.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1639
   There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּרַע
   Transliteration: gâraʻ
   Pronunciation: gaw-rah'
   Description: a primitive root; to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold; abate, clip, (di-) minish, do (take) away, keep back, restrain, make small, withdraw.