If he takes another wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of his first wife.
God gave Israel laws framed in infinite wisdom and equity, not left to human guessing. These were not arbitrary rules but a Theocracy's constitution, suited to make them happy. The Israelites had suffered under Egyptian cruelty; now that they held power over servants, provision was made to ensure they would not replicate that abuse. Those who have felt the whip themselves have no excuse to wield it.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 21:1-11
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.
A man who sells his daughter into servitude cannot sell her onward to another master. Either her owner or his son must take her as intended wife with fitting maintenance for her condition, or release her free at once.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 21:7-36