Topical Bible: Polygamy: Domestic Unhappiness in Abraham's Family

◄ Polygamy: Domestic Unhappiness in Abraham's Family ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Polygamy, the practice of having more than one wife, is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often leading to domestic strife and familial discord. The patriarch Abraham's family provides a poignant example of the challenges and unhappiness that can arise from such arrangements.

Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar

The account of Abraham, originally Abram, and his wife Sarah, originally Sarai, is foundational to understanding the complexities of polygamy in biblical narratives. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation (Genesis 12:2). However, as years passed and Sarah remained barren, she proposed a culturally accepted but spiritually fraught solution: that Abraham take her maidservant Hagar as a secondary wife to bear a child on her behalf.

Genesis 16:1-2 recounts, "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."

This decision, while initially pragmatic, soon led to significant domestic unhappiness. Once Hagar conceived, tensions escalated. Genesis 16:4-5 describes the shift in dynamics: "And when she saw that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, 'May the wrong done to me be upon you. I put my maidservant into your arms, and ever since she saw that she was pregnant, she has despised me. May the LORD judge between you and me.'"

The introduction of Hagar as a second wife created a rift between her and Sarah, leading to jealousy and resentment. Sarah's harsh treatment of Hagar resulted in Hagar fleeing into the wilderness, where she encountered the Angel of the LORD, who instructed her to return and submit to Sarah (Genesis 16:6-9).

Ishmael and Isaac

The birth of Ishmael, Hagar's son, did not fulfill God's covenant promise to Abraham. Instead, God reaffirmed that Sarah would bear a son, Isaac, through whom the covenant would be established (Genesis 17:19-21). The coexistence of Ishmael and Isaac in Abraham's household further complicated family dynamics.

Genesis 21:9-10 highlights the tension: "But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son, and she said to Abraham, 'Drive out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!'"

This demand led to the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael, a decision that grieved Abraham but was confirmed by God as necessary for the fulfillment of His promise through Isaac (Genesis 21:11-13).

Legacy of Polygamy in Abraham's Family

The narrative of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar illustrates the inherent challenges of polygamous relationships, particularly the emotional and relational turmoil they can engender. The strife between Sarah and Hagar, and later between Ishmael and Isaac, underscores the potential for division and discord within a family structure that deviates from the monogamous ideal established in Genesis 2:24, where a man is to be united with his wife as "one flesh."

Abraham's experience with polygamy serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the complexities and heartaches that can arise when human solutions are sought outside of God's original design for marriage. The domestic unhappiness in Abraham's family is a testament to the enduring truth that God's ways, though sometimes requiring patience and faith, ultimately lead to peace and fulfillment.