Diplomacy by Intermarriage With Other Nations
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Diplomacy by intermarriage is a practice documented in the Bible where alliances and peaceful relations between nations were often established or strengthened through marital unions. This practice was common in the ancient Near East and is reflected in several biblical narratives. Intermarriage served as a political tool to secure peace, form alliances, and integrate different cultures and peoples.

Solomon's Marriages

One of the most notable examples of diplomacy through intermarriage is King Solomon. Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and wealth, engaged in numerous marriages with foreign women, which were often politically motivated. The Bible records that Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, many of whom were from nations with which Israel sought peaceful relations. "King Solomon loved many foreign women in addition to Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites" (1 Kings 11:1). These marriages were strategic, intended to secure alliances and trade agreements. However, they also led to spiritual compromise, as these foreign wives brought their gods and religious practices into Israel, leading Solomon astray (1 Kings 11:4-8).

Ahab and Jezebel

Another example is the marriage of King Ahab of Israel to Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians. This marriage was likely intended to strengthen political ties with the Phoenicians. However, Jezebel's influence introduced the worship of Baal into Israel, leading to significant religious and moral decline (1 Kings 16:31-33).

Ezra and Nehemiah's Reforms

The post-exilic period provides insight into the challenges and consequences of intermarriage with foreign nations. Upon returning from Babylonian exile, the Israelites faced the issue of intermarriage with surrounding peoples. Ezra and Nehemiah, leaders of the returned exiles, took strong measures to address this issue. Ezra was appalled to find that the Israelites, including priests and Levites, had married foreign women, which he saw as a direct violation of God's commandments (Ezra 9:1-2). He led a reform that included the dissolution of these marriages to preserve the religious and cultural identity of Israel (Ezra 10:10-11).

Nehemiah also confronted this issue, emphasizing the negative impact of foreign influence on the Israelites' faithfulness to God. He reminded the people of Solomon's downfall due to foreign marriages and took decisive action to correct the situation (Nehemiah 13:23-27).

Theological Implications

The practice of diplomacy through intermarriage in the Bible often highlights the tension between political expediency and religious fidelity. While intermarriage could bring about temporary peace and prosperity, it frequently led to spiritual compromise and idolatry. The biblical narrative consistently underscores the importance of maintaining covenantal faithfulness to God above political alliances.

Warnings and Prohibitions

The Mosaic Law explicitly warned against intermarriage with the surrounding nations, primarily due to the risk of idolatry and turning away from the Lord. "Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods" (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). This command was rooted in the desire to preserve the distinctiveness and holiness of God's people.

Conclusion

The biblical accounts of diplomacy by intermarriage serve as a cautionary tale about the potential spiritual dangers of forming alliances that compromise one's faith. While political alliances were necessary for survival and prosperity, the Bible consistently emphasizes the primacy of faithfulness to God and the dangers of allowing foreign influences to lead His people astray.
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1 Kings 1:1-5
Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he got no heat.
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Solomon's Reign.
... of diplomacy. By means of intermarriage, by the establishment of commercial relations
and by the adoption of the customs and religions of other nations he ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xii solomons reign.htm

The Project of French Empire and Evangelization --Its Wide and ...
... soldiers as by her craft in diplomacy with savage ... races show an alacrity for
intermarriage with barbarous ... good will toward white settlers of other races, made ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter iii the project of.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... Salamis; the Persians occupied Athens afresh, and once more had recourse to diplomacy. ...
regarded as the real capital of the empire by other nations, whereas the ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... Many of the nations that had fought against Ramses II ... As it was known from other
sources that the ... resulted before long in barter and intermarriage, though their ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

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