Exodus 21:10
“If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marital rights.”
What does Exodus 21:10 mean?
This law addresses the situation where a man takes a second wife, which was practiced in ancient Israel. The instruction is straightforward: his first wife doesn't lose her basic provisions, her clothing, or her right to intimate relationship with her husband just because he's married someone else. In other words, marrying again doesn't give him permission to neglect or demote his existing wife. The verse reflects a concern for the vulnerable in ancient society. While polygamy was culturally accepted, this law insisted that taking another wife couldn't become an excuse to reduce a woman to poverty or abandonment. It's a surprisingly protective measure that acknowledges a real person's need for security, dignity, and care within an unequal system.