Why Did God Allow Marriage with Multiple Women in the Bible? Biblical History
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Today, we’re embarking on a thought-provoking exploration of a topic that has intrigued scholars and believers alike for centuries: polygamy in the Bible. Polygamy, or the practice of having multiple spouses, is a subject that often raises questions and debates. Why was it permitted in the Old Testament? How did it align with God’s design for marriage? What can we learn from the historical and cultural contexts that surrounded this practice? These are just a few of the questions we’ll be addressing in this video. By examining the stories of Biblical figures like Abraham, David, and Solomon, and looking at the laws given to the Israelites, we aim to uncover the reasons behind God’s tolerance of polygamy in ancient times. As we delve into this topic, we’ll consider the societal norms and challenges of the times, the impact of polygamy on family dynamics, and the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant brought by Jesus Christ. We’ll also reflect on what the Bible teaches us about the ideal model of marriage according to God’s design. Before we dive in, I want to remind you to subscribe to our channel if you haven’t already. By subscribing, you’ll stay updated with our latest videos and be part of our growing community of scripture enthusiasts. Don’t forget to hit the like button if you find this video enlightening, and share your thoughts in the comments section below. Your engagement helps us spread the wisdom of the scriptures far and wide. Let’s spread this message together with your church group, family, and friends.
Now, let’s begin our journey into understanding why God allowed marriage with multiple women in the Bible. Let’s spread the wisdom of scripture together with your church group, family, and friends. God’s law required that every king refrain from multiplying wives so that their hearts wouldn’t turn away from Him. Solomon, however, ignored this command and married over 700 women. As a result, Solomon’s heart drifted from God due to the negative influence of his numerous wives. Have you ever wondered why men in the Old Testament married multiple women? Has anyone ever argued that God permitted polygamy because it was practiced in ancient times? If so, you should watch this entire video to understand the historical reasons behind polygamy. Today, we’ll delve into polygamy in both the Old and New Testaments. We’ll explore its origins in the Bible and human history and discuss why God tolerated this practice in the Old Testament. Polygamy refers to the marriage of one person to multiple spouses, either one man with multiple wives or one woman with multiple husbands. The first recorded instance of polygamy in the Bible is in Genesis 4 when Lamech took two wives. Lamech was a descendant of Cain and possibly introduced polygamy around 400 years after Cain. Before Lamech’s time, marriage was likely monogamous, following God’s original plan from Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden up to the era of Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, mentioned in Genesis chapter 5.
By Genesis chapter 6, the Earth was densely populated with descendants of Seth and possibly Cain, leading to increased promiscuity, fornication, and sexual immorality alongside a turning away from God. Therefore, it appears that the custom of having multiple wives began to solidify during the time of Noah’s sons. Polygamy experienced a resurgence among the descendants of Noah after the flood, particularly among the descendants of Ham, who fathered the Canaanites inhabiting Canaan. These Canaanite nations were infamous for their indulgent cult practices, feasts involving orgies, and immoral behavior.
Polygamous unions persisted among various nations and continued into the periods of Abraham, the Israelite kings, and beyond. Abraham, a prominent figure in Biblical history, practiced polygamy, as seen in Genesis chapters 16 and 25. This tradition was also followed by his grandsons, Esau and Jacob, as mentioned in Genesis 28. During the time of the Israelite judges, the well-known Gideon was also polygamous, as detailed in Judges chapter 8. Even Samuel’s father during this era had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah, as described in 1 Samuel chapter 1. Throughout the monarchy, many kings engaged in polygamy, notably King David, who had multiple wives and concubines, and King Solomon, who famously had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Importantly, Mosaic law did not forbid polygamy; instead, it regulated it. If a man took a second wife, he was required to continue providing for his first wife’s needs and conjugal rights. This regulation aimed to protect the rights and honor of wives and their children while discouraging the creation of additional households. From a legal standpoint, polygamy did not violate the commandment against adultery. Adultery was understood as taking another man’s wife, not having more than one legitimate wife. In ancient times, God allowed for the practice of polygamy to a certain extent because it was deeply ingrained in the culture, and He did not immediately abolish it. Instead, He established laws to mitigate injustices and ensure that those involved in such unions were not harmed. The Old Testament, particularly Deuteronomy chapter 21, does not explicitly clarify God’s permission or tolerance of polygamy, prompting further exploration into the possible reasons. Within the context of that era, polygamy was commonly motivated by various factors. For instance, kings often engaged in polygamous marriages to forge political alliances, such as King Solomon’s unions with Pharaoh’s daughter and King Ahab’s marriage to Princess Jezebel.
Another common reason for polygamy was the desire to have more male offspring. In times marked by frequent wars and high mortality rates, having more sons was advantageous for the continuation of family lines. Moreover, the issue of offspring also prompted some men to take a second wife if the first was unable to bear children. Additionally, emotional or passionate reasons sometimes led individuals to marry multiple women. The historical disparity in numbers between men and women, particularly due to deaths in wars, may have contributed to the acceptance of polygamy. Furthermore, in ancient societies, unmarried women often lacked access to education and employment, relying entirely on their families for sustenance. This societal reality likely influenced the prevalence of polygamy, providing women with a means of security and support within a family structure. For many women in ancient times, the alternatives to being in a household with a man who had multiple wives were often prostitution or slavery. While polygamy was not an ideal situation, living in such a household could be seen as a more stable choice compared to these other options. Contrary to popular belief, polygamy was not necessarily viewed as immoral within the cultural context of the time. Polygamous husbands were expected to support all their wives equally, providing for each wife as they did for the first. Polygamy was a consequence of human failure, driven by desires, conflicts, wars, and a thirst for power. Historical discrimination against women, who were often marginalized in social and political spheres, also played a role in the prevalence of polygamous relationships. God’s tolerance of polygamy in the Old Testament can be interpreted as a means of safeguarding the lives and dignity of some women in difficult circumstances.
Despite this tolerance, polygamous marriages often led to conflicts among the wives. Throughout the Bible, we encounter examples where polygamy caused significant family strife. For instance, Sarah, Abraham’s wife, faced challenges when she suggested that Abraham have a child with her servant Hagar in an attempt to secure an heir. This decision reflected a lack of faith in God’s promise to grant Sarah a child despite her age and infertility. Similarly, Isaac and Rebekah, parents of Esau and Jacob, encountered difficulties with Esau’s wives. Jacob’s story also illustrates the complexities arising from his preference for his beloved wife Rachel over Leah, who felt neglected despite bearing four sons. These narratives highlight the complexities and challenges inherent in polygamous relationships. As depicted in the Bible, competition and conflict among Jacob’s wives resulted in disagreements, including disputes over who would have marital relations with their husband. Other stories in the Bible, such as those involving Elkanah’s wives and Solomon’s wives, also illustrate the challenges and negative outcomes associated with polygamy. These instances demonstrate how this practice often led to strife and spiritual waywardness, causing women to turn away from the true God and towards the worship of false gods.
It is important to recognize that polygamy was not commanded or endorsed by God as part of His standard; rather, it was a cultural choice influenced by inherited traditions and the norms of that era. With the transition from the Old Covenant established through Moses to the New Covenant brought by Jesus Christ, there was a shift in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The new guideline is clear: each man should have one wife and vice versa. It’s essential to understand that many of the commandments related to polygamy in the Old Covenant, such as those found in Deuteronomy chapter 21, are no longer applicable today.
If all Old Testament laws were still binding, we would be practicing rituals like animal sacrifices for sin atonement, observing Jewish festivals, implementing capital punishment for sorcerers and adulterers, adhering strictly to Jewish tithing rules, observing the Sabbath, and performing circumcision, among others. However, this does not mean that polygamy is permitted in the New Testament or in contemporary times. Although some kings of Israel, like David and Solomon, had multiple wives, this allowance was a result of the Israelites’ desire to have a king modeled after the customs of other nations rather than being a divine endorsement of polygamy. Under the New Covenant, when the Israelites chose an earthly king, they turned away from direct leadership under the Lord. As a consequence, God granted them the king they desired, bestowing upon him various rights, privileges, and authority over the Hebrew people. In the Christian context, polygamy does not receive divine approval. As emphasized in the First Letter to the Corinthians, due to immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. Engaging in marriage with multiple partners, known as polygamy, can lead to acts of fornication, prostitution, and adultery.
In light of this, the Apostle Paul clearly advises to avoid fornication by emphasizing that each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband, thereby reinforcing disapproval of polygamy. Paul also instructs Christian leaders that bishops must be blameless, the husband of one wife, demonstrating vigilance, sobriety, good behavior, and readiness to teach. Likewise, deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and households well. Therefore, it is essential for bishops to be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, hospitable, and able to teach. The ideal form of marriage established by God is monogamous. Initially recognizing that it was not good for man to be alone, the Lord God decided to create a suitable helper for him. Following this purpose, God presented to Adam the perfect model of marriage based on love and partnership between man and woman. Adam acknowledged this harmony, saying, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of man.” Therefore, a man leaves his father and mother and joins his wife, and they become one flesh. It is undeniable that monogamous marriage is the ideal model instituted by God for mankind. Although humanity has often deviated from this divine purpose throughout history, our Lord Jesus reaffirmed Adam’s words in his gospel, emphasizing the truth of monogamous marriage as recorded in Mark: “In the beginning of creation, God created them male and female. As a result, a man leaves his parents and is united with his wife, and the two become one flesh. Therefore, they are no longer two individuals, but one united entity.” Jesus emphasized the sanctity of this union by stating that what God has joined together, no human should separate.
This study of scripture has helped clarify the divine design for marriage established by God. Feel free to share this message on your social media platforms to spread the word of God. I hope you found this enlightening. Leave your thoughts on the video in the comments. May God bless you. Jesus will return, so be prepared and ready to meet Him. If you haven’t yet, take this opportunity to repent. Find a quiet place, speak to God, and He will listen to you.
Thank you for joining us on this insightful journey through the pages of the Bible, as we’ve explored the complex and often misunderstood topic of polygamy. Through our exploration, we’ve uncovered how polygamy was deeply rooted in the cultural and societal norms of ancient times, and how God’s tolerance of this practice was a response to human complexities and circumstances. From the stories of Abraham, Jacob, and David to the laws given to the Israelites, we’ve seen how polygamy was practiced and regulated within the framework of God’s overarching plan for His people. As we’ve discussed, the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant brought a significant shift in the guidance of the Holy Spirit regarding marriage. Jesus Christ reaffirmed the sanctity and ideal of monogamous marriage, emphasizing the unity and partnership between one man and one woman. This divine model, established from the beginning of creation, remains the standard for Christian marriage today.
Reflecting on these Biblical accounts, we can see how God’s laws and guidance were designed to protect and honor individuals within the cultural context of their time, while gradually leading humanity towards a deeper understanding of His perfect will. Polygamy, though tolerated for a period, ultimately highlights the human failings and societal challenges that God sought to address through His divine wisdom. As we conclude, I encourage you to share this newfound understanding with others. Please subscribe to our channel if you haven’t done so yet, and hit the like button if you found this video valuable. Your comments and thoughts are always welcome, as they help foster a deeper discussion within our community. Sharing this video with your church group, family, and friends is a wonderful way to spread the wisdom of the scriptures and encourage others to explore these important themes.
At Bible Stories, our goal is to continue bringing you enriching discussions and insights from the Bible. Together, let’s deepen our understanding of scripture and apply its timeless wisdom to our lives. Until next time, may God bless you abundantly, and may His Word continue to guide and inspire you. Remember, Jesus will return, so be prepared and ready to meet Him. If you haven’t yet, take this opportunity to repent and seek a closer relationship with God. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.
