Exodus 21:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 21:10, nestled within the "Book of the Covenant," is a profound legal stipulation that underscores God's unwavering concern for justice and the protection of vulnerable individuals, particularly women, within the ancient Israelite social structure. While addressing the complex realities of a society where polygamy was permitted, this verse meticulously outlines a husband's non-negotiable obligations to his existing wife, ensuring her fundamental rights to provision, protection, and conjugal intimacy are maintained even if he takes another wife. It stands as a testament to the divine commitment to equity and dignity, even in challenging domestic arrangements.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial part of the "Book of the Covenant" found in [Exodus 20:22-23:33](/exodus/20-22 "Exodus 20:22-23:33 - The Book of the Covenant"), which immediately follows the [Ten Commandments](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments") given at Mount Sinai. Specifically, Exodus 21:10 falls within a section of laws concerning servants and their treatment, particularly focusing on the rights of female servants (Exodus 21:7-11). The preceding verses detail the conditions under which a Hebrew daughter might be sold by her father as a maidservant, and how she might be taken as a wife or concubine by her master or his son. If she is not pleasing to her master, she must be redeemed (Exodus 21:8), and if taken for his son, she must be treated as a daughter (Exodus 21:9). Exodus 21:10 then directly addresses the scenario where a man, having taken such a woman as a wife, subsequently takes another, ensuring the first wife's rights are not diminished. This progression demonstrates a meticulous legal framework designed to protect the most vulnerable within the household.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israelite society, like many ancient Near Eastern cultures, was fundamentally patriarchal, with men holding primary authority within the family and community. While God's original design for marriage was monogamous (cf. [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - One Flesh Union")), polygamy was a practiced reality, often driven by social, economic, or procreative considerations. In such a context, women, especially those who were maidservants or who lacked strong family support, were particularly vulnerable to neglect or abuse. Laws like Exodus 21:10 were revolutionary for their time, providing specific legal protections for wives within polygamous households. Unlike many surrounding cultures that offered fewer protections, this Mosaic law mandated that a husband's obligations to his first wife, regardless of subsequent marriages, were undiminished. This highlights God's unique concern for justice and the dignity of all individuals, even within the prevailing social norms of the era, setting Israel apart from its neighbors by establishing higher ethical standards for domestic relationships.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Food (Hebrew, _she'er'_):** While literally meaning "flesh" or "meat," in this context, _she'er_ refers broadly to the provision of sustenance, nourishment, and basic physical needs. It signifies the husband's responsibility to ensure his wife's adequate physical well-being, encompassing not just food but all necessary provisions for her daily life. This term emphasizes the fundamental duty of material support.
* **Raiment (Hebrew, _kesuth'_):** This term denotes clothing, covering, and by extension, shelter and protection. It speaks to the husband's obligation to provide for his wife's physical comfort, modesty, and security. Beyond mere garments, _kesuth_ implies a comprehensive responsibility for her dwelling, safety, and overall physical environment, ensuring she is adequately provided for and protected.
* **Duty of marriage (Hebrew, _'onah'_):** This is the most debated term, but scholarly consensus and ancient Near Eastern parallels strongly suggest it refers to conjugal rights, marital dues, or sexual intimacy. It implies the husband's responsibility to maintain a loving, intimate, and physically satisfying relationship with his wife. This term underscores that a wife's well-being is not solely material but also includes emotional and physical intimacy within the marital bond, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the husband's covenantal obligations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If he take him another [wife];"**: This clause sets the condition for the law's application, acknowledging the societal reality of polygamy in ancient Israel. It specifically addresses the scenario where a man, already married, chooses to marry an additional wife. The law does not endorse polygamy as ideal but provides regulations to mitigate its potential for injustice.
* **"her food, her raiment,"**: This specifies two fundamental material provisions that the husband is obligated to provide for his first wife. "Food" (sustenance) and "raiment" (clothing, shelter, protection) represent the basic necessities for her physical well-being and dignified existence within the household. These were non-negotiable elements of a wife's support.
* **"and her duty of marriage,"**: This crucial phrase extends the husband's obligations beyond the material to include the intimate and relational aspects of marriage. "Duty of marriage" refers to conjugal rights or marital intimacy, emphasizing that the wife's emotional and physical needs within the marital covenant must also be met. This highlights the comprehensive nature of the husband's responsibility to his wife's holistic well-being.
* **"shall he not diminish."**: This strong negative command is the core of the stipulation. It unequivocally states that the husband's obligations to his first wife, encompassing her material provision, protection, and conjugal rights, must remain undiminished, regardless of whether he takes another wife. This ensures her status, dignity, and well-being are not compromised by the addition of another spouse, reflecting God's demand for consistent justice and care.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 21:10 employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. The primary device is **Legal Stipulation**, characteristic of the entire "Book of the Covenant," which presents a clear, concise, and prescriptive command outlining expected behavior and its consequences. The use of the negative command, "shall he not diminish," functions as a strong **Prohibition**, emphasizing the absolute nature of the husband's responsibility and preventing any reduction in the first wife's rights. Furthermore, the listing of "food, raiment, and her duty of marriage" creates a **Triadic Structure**, a common rhetorical device in ancient Near Eastern legal texts that provides a comprehensive and memorable enumeration of key obligations. This triad covers the physical, protective, and intimate aspects of a wife's needs, demonstrating a holistic understanding of her well-being. The verse's brevity and directness also contribute to its **Clarity and Authority**, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding the divine expectation for justice and care within the marital covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 21:10, while addressing a specific ancient context, resonates with enduring theological principles concerning God's character and His expectations for human relationships. It powerfully demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to justice and His particular concern for the vulnerable and marginalized, even within the intimate sphere of the family. This law reveals a divine standard that elevates the dignity and rights of women, ensuring they are not treated as disposable property but as individuals deserving of consistent care and respect. It establishes a baseline of equitable treatment, preventing neglect and abuse by explicitly defining a husband's non-negotiable obligations. This divine concern for the well-being of the less powerful is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, reflecting God's own nature as a righteous and compassionate judge who champions the cause of the oppressed.

* [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - God's Love for the Sojourner, Orphan, and Widow")
* [Malachi 2:16](/malachi/2-16 "Malachi 2:16 - God Hates Divorce")
* [1 Corinthians 7:3-5](/1_corinthians/7-3 "1 Corinthians 7:3-5 - Mutual Marital Duties")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific social context of polygamy may not be directly applicable to most modern societies, the enduring principles embedded in Exodus 21:10 remain profoundly relevant for Christian marriage and relationships today. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the comprehensive and undiminished care that a husband is called to provide for his wife. It challenges husbands to consider their responsibilities not merely as financial providers, but as guardians of their wives' holistic well-being—physically, emotionally, and intimately. The command "shall he not diminish" speaks to the need for consistent, unwavering commitment and attention, ensuring that no competing demands or external pressures lead to the neglect of the marital bond or the needs of one's spouse. It calls for a love that is active, sacrificial, and continually seeks the flourishing of the beloved, mirroring the steadfast love of God Himself. For all believers, this passage underscores the importance of upholding justice and dignity in all relationships, reflecting God's heart for the vulnerable and marginalized in every sphere of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, as a spouse, be "diminishing" the care, attention, or intimacy due to my partner, even unintentionally?**
* **How does the comprehensive nature of the husband's obligations in this verse (food, raiment, duty of marriage) challenge or expand my understanding of marital responsibility?**
* **Beyond marriage, how can the principle of "not diminishing" care for the vulnerable be applied in my family, church, or community relationships?**
* **What does this ancient law reveal about God's character and His enduring concern for justice and dignity for all people?**

### FAQ
**Does Exodus 21:10 endorse polygamy?**

Answer: No, Exodus 21:10 does not endorse polygamy as God's ideal, but rather regulates it within the existing social realities of ancient Israel. God's original design for marriage, established in [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - One Flesh Union"), is clearly monogamous, emphasizing a man and woman becoming "one flesh." However, polygamy was a widespread practice in the ancient Near East, and the Mosaic Law, while not promoting it, often provided regulations to mitigate its potential for injustice and to protect the vulnerable within such arrangements. This verse is a prime example of God's concern for the dignity and rights of the first wife, ensuring she was not neglected or abused simply because her husband took another spouse. It reveals God's justice operating within a fallen world, providing a framework for ethical conduct even when human practices deviate from His perfect will.

**How does "duty of marriage" apply in modern Christian marriages?**

Answer: In modern Christian marriages, "duty of marriage" (Hebrew: _'onah'_) continues to signify the importance of mutual conjugal intimacy and relational care. While the ancient context was specific to a husband's obligation to his wife, the New Testament expands this concept to mutual responsibility. For instance, [1 Corinthians 7:3-5](/1_corinthians/7-3 "1 Corinthians 7:3-5 - Paul's Teaching on Mutual Marital Duties") explicitly states that "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband." This emphasizes that intimacy is a mutual obligation within the covenant of marriage, designed for pleasure, procreation, and preventing temptation. Therefore, in contemporary Christian marriage, "duty of marriage" encompasses the ongoing commitment to emotional, physical, and spiritual intimacy, ensuring that neither spouse neglects the relational well-being and needs of the other.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 21:10, with its meticulous concern for the dignity and provision of a vulnerable wife, foreshadows the ultimate, undiminished care that Christ provides for His bride, the Church. Just as the ancient law ensured a wife's "food, raiment, and duty of marriage" would not be diminished, so Christ, as the heavenly Bridegroom, consistently provides for His Church's every need—spiritual nourishment (His Word, the Bread of Life, as seen in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), spiritual covering and righteousness (His perfect "raiment" that clothes us, as described in [Revelation 19:8](/revelation/19-8 "Revelation 19:8 - The Bride's Fine Linen")), and intimate communion (the "duty of marriage" fulfilled in His constant presence and fellowship, promised in [Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Promise to Be With Us Always")). The command "shall he not diminish" finds its perfect fulfillment in Christ, whose love for the Church is unwavering, sacrificial, and eternally complete ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). He never neglects His covenant obligations, but rather gave Himself up for her, nourishing and cherishing her, ensuring her ultimate sanctification and glorification. Thus, this ancient legal text points us to the profound and undiminished grace of our Savior, who perfectly embodies the divine concern for justice, provision, and intimate relationship.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 7:1

¶ Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: [It is] good for a man not to touch a woman.

1 Corinthians 7:6

But I speak this by permission, [and] not of commandment.