0 What The Bible says about Polygamy

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

Polygamy

There are many polygamists in the Bible.

Some of them were God's favorite people (including Abraham, Jacob, Gideon, Solomon, and David). God didn't seem to mind.

Lamech

And Lamech took unto him two wives. Genesis 4:19

Abraham

Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai ... gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived. Genesis 16:1-4

But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had.... Genesis 25:6

Esau

Esau ... took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. Genesis 26:34

Esau .. took ... Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael ... to be his wife. Genesis 28:9

Jacob

Then Jacob rose up, and set ... his wives upon camels. Genesis 31:17

He [Jacob] ... took his two wives, and his two womenservants. Genesis 32:22

Gideon

And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives. Judges 8:30

Elkanah

Elkanah ... had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. 1 Samuel 1:1-2

Solomon

Solomon ... had seven hundred wives ... and three hundred concubines. 1 Kings 11:2-3

Ashur

And Ashur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah. 1 Chronicles 4:5

Reboboam

Rehoboam ... took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines. 2 Chrornicles 11:21

Abijah

But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives.... 2 Chronicles 13:21

Jehoiada

Jehoiada took for him two wives.... 2 Chronicles 24:3

God even gave David Saul's wives. (He wouldn't do that if he didn't approve of polygamy.)

Thus saith the LORD God of Israel ... I gave thee [David] ... thy master's [Saul's] wives.... 2 Samuel 12:7-8

He set up rules for men who wanted to take another wife.

If he take him another wife.... Exodus 21:10

And he provided instructions for men that had two wives, "one beloved, and another hated."

If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated.... Deuteronomy 21:15

Even Jesus (sometimes) seemed OK with polygamy. The parable of the ten virgins, for example involved a man and his ten brides.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Matthew 25:1


What the Bible says about Marriage
  said...
the last one i'm not too sure of - that the 10 virgins were all supposed to be "brides". sounds to me like they were part of a ceremony welcoming the groom, for a procession. and 5 of them got locked out of the reception, if not the wedding ceremony. i am not really up on eastern weddings tho, so i am far from certain.
Mon Dec 04, 1:43:04 AM ( 11 months ago )

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