Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, concubines were women who lived with a man in a relationship similar to marriage but without the full status of a wife. The practice of having concubines is documented throughout the Old Testament, reflecting the cultural and social norms of ancient Near Eastern societies. While the Bible records the existence of concubines, it does not explicitly endorse the practice, and the narratives often highlight the complexities and challenges associated with such relationships.Old Testament Context Concubinage is first mentioned in the patriarchal narratives. Abraham, the father of the Israelite nation, took Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant, as a concubine at the behest of his wife Sarah (Genesis 16:1-4). This arrangement was intended to produce offspring due to Sarah's barrenness, but it led to familial strife and tension. Jacob, another patriarch, had two concubines, Bilhah and Zilpah, who were maidservants of his wives Rachel and Leah, respectively. These women bore Jacob several sons, who became part of the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 30:3-13). The practice of concubinage continued into the period of the judges and the monarchy. Gideon, a judge of Israel, had many wives and concubines, and his concubine in Shechem bore him a son named Abimelech (Judges 8:30-31). King Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, whose tragic account is recounted in 2 Samuel 3:7 and 21:8-14 . King David, a central figure in Israel's history, had several concubines. After his affair with Bathsheba, David's household became a scene of political intrigue and personal turmoil, partly due to the presence of multiple wives and concubines (2 Samuel 5:13, 15:16, 16:21-22). His son Solomon, known for his wisdom, had 700 wives and 300 concubines, which ultimately led him astray from God (1 Kings 11:3-4). Legal and Social Status Concubines in ancient Israel held a status lower than that of wives. They were often slaves or women of foreign origin, and their primary role was to bear children and provide companionship. The children of concubines could inherit from their father, but their status was often secondary to that of the children born to wives. The Mosaic Law provided some protections for concubines, ensuring they were not treated as mere property. For example, Exodus 21:7-11 outlines the rights of a female servant who becomes a concubine, emphasizing fair treatment and provision. Moral and Theological Implications The narratives involving concubines often reveal the moral and relational complexities of such arrangements. The account of Hagar and Sarah illustrates the potential for jealousy and conflict (Genesis 16:4-6). The account of the Levite's concubine in Judges 19 highlights the vulnerability and mistreatment of concubines, leading to a tragic and violent outcome (Judges 19:25-30). From a theological perspective, the presence of concubines in the biblical narrative underscores the deviation from God's original design for marriage as a monogamous union between one man and one woman, as established in Genesis 2:24 . The complications arising from polygamous and concubine relationships often serve as cautionary tales, illustrating the consequences of straying from divine intentions. New Testament Perspective By the time of the New Testament, the practice of concubinage had largely fallen out of favor among the Jewish people. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles emphasize the sanctity and exclusivity of marriage. Jesus reaffirmed the Genesis ideal of marriage, stating, "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate" (Matthew 19:6). The apostle Paul also upheld monogamous marriage as the standard for Christian relationships (1 Timothy 3:2). In summary, while concubinage was a part of the cultural and historical landscape of the Old Testament, the biblical narrative often highlights the inherent challenges and moral complexities of such relationships, pointing towards a higher divine standard for marriage. Concordance Women-concubines (1 Occurrence)2 Samuel 20:3 Thesaurus Women-concubines (1 Occurrence)Women-concubines. Women-children, Women-concubines. Women's . Multi-Version Concordance Women-concubines (1 Occurrence). ... /w/women-concubines.htm - 6k Women's (9 Occurrences) Leaveth (25 Occurrences) Women-children (1 Occurrence) Maintained (19 Occurrences) Confinement (6 Occurrences) Sustaineth (4 Occurrences) Putteth (182 Occurrences) Resources Why didn't Solomon follow his own advice on women? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a concubine? Why did God allow men to have concubines in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why did God allow polygamy / bigamy in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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