Polygamy: Forbidden
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Polygamy, the practice of having more than one spouse simultaneously, is a topic addressed in various parts of the Bible. While instances of polygamy are recorded in the Old Testament, a closer examination of the Scriptures reveals a movement towards monogamous marriage as the divine ideal, particularly in the New Testament teachings.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, several prominent figures practiced polygamy, including Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon. For example, Genesis 16:1-4 recounts how Abraham took Hagar as a secondary wife at Sarah's behest. Jacob, deceived by Laban, ended up with two wives, Leah and Rachel, as described in Genesis 29:15-30. King David had multiple wives, and Solomon's polygamy is well-documented, with 1 Kings 11:3 stating, "He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away."

Despite these instances, the Old Testament also contains implicit critiques of polygamy. The narrative often highlights the strife and complications arising from such arrangements, as seen in the jealousy between Sarah and Hagar (Genesis 16:4-6) and the rivalry between Leah and Rachel (Genesis 30:1-8). Furthermore, Deuteronomy 17:17 warns Israel's kings, "He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray," indicating a divine preference for monogamy.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament provides a clearer directive towards monogamous marriage. Jesus Christ, when questioned about marriage, refers back to the creation account, emphasizing the union of one man and one woman. In Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus states, "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

The Apostle Paul further reinforces this view in his epistles. In 1 Timothy 3:2, Paul stipulates that a church overseer must be "the husband of but one wife," a requirement that underscores the expectation of monogamy for those in church leadership. Similarly, in Ephesians 5:31, Paul echoes the Genesis account, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, marriage is often seen as a reflection of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Ephesians 5:25-27 describes this relationship, with Christ as the bridegroom and the Church as His bride, a singular and exclusive union. This metaphor further supports the notion of monogamy as the ideal model for Christian marriage.

Cultural and Historical Considerations

While polygamy was culturally accepted in certain ancient societies, the biblical narrative and teachings progressively reveal a divine preference for monogamous unions. The shift from polygamy to monogamy in biblical texts reflects a broader theological and moral trajectory towards the sanctity and exclusivity of the marital bond between one man and one woman.
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Deuteronomy 17:17
Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
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Leviticus 18:18
Neither shall you take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.
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Malachi 2:14,15
Yet you say, Why? Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously: yet is she your companion, and the wife of your covenant.
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Matthew 19:4,5
And he answered and said to them, Have you not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
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Mark 10:2-8
And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.
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1 Timothy 3:2,12
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
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Titus 1:6
If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
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Library

By the Circumcision of Abraham, Marriage with Sisters Forbidden ...
... Chapter III."By the Circumcision of Abraham, Marriage with Sisters Forbidden; In
the Times of the Prophets Polygamy Put a Stop To; Conjugal Purity Itself by ...
/.../chapter iii by the circumcision of.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... All polygamy is clearly forbidden in these words, wherein our Lord expressly declares,
that for any woman who has a husband alive, to marry again is adultery. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 23 upon our lords.htm

Fulfilling of the Law in the Higher Sense. --Particular Examples ...
... [404] Polygamy was not yet wholly forbidden among the Jews, as appears from
Josephus. Speaking in reference to the polygamy of Herod ...
/.../section 155 fulfilling of the.htm

The Golden Eagle is Cut to Pieces. Herod's Barbarity when He was ...
... the patriarchs, to have sometimes more wives or wives and concubines, than one at
the same the and that this polygamy was not directly forbidden in the law of ...
/.../chapter 33 the golden eagle.htm

Letter ccxvii. To Amphilochius, the Canons.
... On polygamy the Fathers are silent, as being brutish and altogether inhuman ... passing
from the Scriptural sense of declaring what acts are forbidden and committed ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxvii to amphilochius the.htm

The Banquet of the Ten Virgins, or Concerning Chastity
... Chapter III.--By the Circumcision of Abraham, Marriage with Sisters Forbidden; In
the Times of the Prophets Polygamy Put a Stop To; Conjugal Purity Itself by ...
/.../methodius/the banquet of the ten virgins or concerning chastity/

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
... still more the New Testament without gathering from it the conviction, that polygamy
was not ... For, as it is added (Ber.31 a): "It is forbidden to man, that his ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 9 mothers daughters and.htm

Letter cxcix. Canonica Secunda.
... If among you their re-baptism is forbidden, for the sake of some arrangement ... however
Canon iv., where trigamy is called polygamy or at best a limited fornication ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cxcix canonica secunda.htm

Pride of Prosperity
... seeking to strengthen his relations with the powerful kingdom lying to the southward
of Israel, Solomon ventured upon forbidden ground ... Polygamy was countenanced ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 3 pride of prosperity.htm

Authenticity and Credibility of the Pentateuch.
... so." Matt.19:8. This general principle applies also to polygamy and the ... these nations
were carefully specified, and they were peremptorily forbidden to molest ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter x authenticity and credibility.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about adultery? | GotQuestions.org

How many wives did Abraham have? | GotQuestions.org

Why did the early Mormons believe in plural marriage? | GotQuestions.org

Polygamy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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