Concubinage, as understood in the context of the Old Testament, refers to a form of marriage where a woman, often of lower social status, is in a recognized relationship with a man but does not have the full status of a wife. This practice is evident in the life of the patriarch Abraham, whose experiences provide insight into the cultural and legal aspects of concubinage during the biblical era.

Abraham and Hagar

The most notable instance of concubinage in Abraham's life involves Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, Abraham's wife. Due to Sarah's barrenness, she offered Hagar to Abraham as a concubine to bear a child on her behalf. This arrangement is described in Genesis 16:1-4 : "Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, 'Look now, the LORD has prevented me from having children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.' And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years, his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife. And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived."

This passage highlights the social and familial dynamics of concubinage, where a concubine could be given the status of a secondary wife to fulfill specific familial needs, such as producing an heir. Hagar's role as a concubine was legally and socially recognized, yet it also led to tension and conflict within the household, as seen in the subsequent narrative.

Legal and Social Implications

The arrangement with Hagar illustrates several legal and social implications of concubinage in Abraham's time. Firstly, it underscores the patriarchal nature of ancient Near Eastern societies, where the continuation of a family line was of paramount importance. Secondly, it reflects the legal rights and limitations of concubines. While Hagar was given to Abraham as a wife, her status remained secondary to Sarah, the primary wife. This is evident when Sarah later demands that Abraham send Hagar and her son Ishmael away, a request that God instructs Abraham to heed (Genesis 21:10-12): "Therefore she said to Abraham, 'Drive out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be an heir with my son Isaac.' But God said to Abraham, 'Do not be distressed over the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.'"

Cultural Context

The practice of concubinage, as seen in Abraham's life, must be understood within its ancient cultural context. It was a socially accepted means of addressing issues such as infertility and ensuring the continuation of a family line. However, it also brought about complex interpersonal dynamics and legal considerations, as the rights of concubines and their children were often subordinate to those of the primary wife and her offspring.

Abraham's relationship with Hagar, therefore, provides a window into the legal and social framework of concubinage in the patriarchal period, illustrating both its practical purposes and the potential for familial discord.Genesis 16:3
And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelled ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
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Genesis 25:6
But to the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, to the east country.
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1 Chronicles 1:32
Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bore Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan.
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On the Government of God
... Abiron, 62. Abraham 's life as proof of God 's judgment, 53 f. ... Commands of God disobeyed
by Christians 82 f. Concubinage, 107 f., 194 f.; laws concerning, 107n. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/index 2.htm

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
... argues in the contrary direction, and concerning a far ... a marriage as merely legalised
concubinage (Cheth. ... two heads"as farther extending the laws of kindred ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 9 mothers daughters and.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... 729]328 sq.; the Seed of Abraham, [730]339 ... the Head, [840]375; an heretical notion
concerning, [841]389 ... Concubinage, for offspring's sake unlawful, [904]406; was ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

What is a concubine? Why did God allow men to have concubines in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How many wives did Abraham have? | GotQuestions.org

Concubinage: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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