In the King James Version (KJV), there is no verse that commands a man to take another wife, but there are several passages where polygamy is permitted, regulated, or practiced without condemnation in the law of Moses.

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Here are the main places in the KJV where the Bible acknowledges or regulates a man taking another wife:

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📖 1. Exodus 21:10 (KJV) — regulates multiple wives

 

This is the clearest verse giving conditions about taking an additional wife.

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

 

This doesn’t command polygamy — it regulates the treatment of the first wife if a man does take another.

 

📖 2. Deuteronomy 21:15 (KJV) — laws about a man with two wives

 

This verse does not forbid the situation; it assumes a man may have two wives:

“If a man have two wives…”

 

The passage continues to give inheritance laws for children in a polygynous marriage.

 

📖 3. Deuteronomy 17:17 (KJV) — limits the king’s wives

 

This passage implies a man — especially a king — could take multiple wives, but should not multiply wives excessively:

“Neither shall he multiply wives to himself…”

 

This restricts, but does not ban, polygamy.

 

📖 4. Other examples of men taking another wife (not condemned in those passages)

 

These are narrative examples — not laws — but they show that polygamy existed among key figures:

 

Abraham

• Genesis 16 — took Hagar in addition to Sarah.

 

Jacob

• Genesis 29–30 — had Leah, Rachel, and two concubine-wives.

 

David

• 2 Samuel 5:13 — took more wives in Jerusalem.

 

Solomon

• 1 Kings 11:3 — many wives, though the issue was foreign wives turning his heart.

 

Elkanah (Hannah’s husband)

• 1 Samuel 1:2 — had two wives: Hannah and Peninnah.

 

The Bible describes these without stating that taking another wife was sinful in itself, though it often describes the family problems that resulted.

 

📌 Summary

 

If you’re looking specifically for where the law says a man may take another wife, the key passages are:

• Exodus 21:10

• Deuteronomy 21:15

 

These are the places where the KJV explicitly acknowledges and regulates the situation.

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