Polygamy, What Does the Bible Say?
December 20, 2011
Last year my wife, Debbie, received a phone call from a very distraught wife who stated that her husband was bringing another woman into their home. She explained that when she confronted her husband, he declared, “There is nothing wrong with having multiple wives since in the Old Testament many men like King David had multiple wives.” Debbie asked her if she had talked to her pastor about this. After a long pause on the phone, the lady said “He is the pastor.”
After reading this story, you might be as shocked as we were; however I believe that in our post modern society, the legalization of polygamy is the next degenerative step to follow the legalization of same sex marriage. Albert Mohler aptly addresses the topic:
Will legalization of same-sex marriage lead to the legalization of polygamy? Proponents of same-sex marriage dismiss the question, for if they ever did face it squarely, they would have to admit the truly radical nature of the case for homosexual marriage. The logic of the polygamy question is this–If marriage can now be homosexual as well as heterosexual, why must it be limited to two persons rather than three . . . or several? Proponents of same-sex marriages have dismissed this question as irresponsible, irrelevant, and inflammatory. The question is indeed controversial, but only because it demands to be answered. It is by no means irrelevant[1].
Hence, it is very important that Christians have a sound Biblical answer to the question that often arises: Since there are many Godly men who practiced polygamy in the Bible, is there really anything wrong with it?
The first step to answering this question is to look at God’s original design of marriage found in Genesis 2:18-25. This passage clearly shows that God created the first marriage to be between one man and one woman. When God states in verse 18 that it is not good for man to be alone, He says “I will make a help meet for him.” Notice that God does not say that He will make several helpers for Adam, but only one. In verse 22, God brings one woman to Adam as his wife, not multiple women. In verse 24, God states that the man and his wife (only one) become one flesh. In verse 25, the man and his wife (only one) are naked and not ashamed.
To help man obey the command in Genesis 1:26 to be fruitful and multiply, God could have designed marriage so that man would have multiple wives and therefore bear children more rapidly. But God does not choose to do this, rather He chose to give Adam only one wife. This is God’s design, God’s plan and His ideal for marriage. Many other passages when referring to the husband and wife relationship in the Old Testament also refer to the husband as only having one wife (Proverbs 12:4, 18:22, 19:14, 31:10-31, Psalm 128:3).
The first example of polygamy is given in Genesis 4:19 where scripture informs us that Lamech took two wives. So, the first distortion of marriage through a polygamous relationship happened after the fall of man into sin about six generations after Adam (barely after Adam died). The Bible gives us additional examples of both Godly and ungodly men who practiced polygamy. These include; Abraham, Esau, Jacob, Gideon, Elkanah, David, Solomon, Ahab, Jehoiachin, Ashur, Rehoboam, Abijah, Jehoram and Joash. Does it mean that God approved of the practice of polygamy because these men practiced it?
In Deuteronomy 17:17 God specifically commands Israel’s kings not to take on multiple wives. Why does God give this command? God explains that having multiple wives will turn their heart away from Him. Both King David and Solomon violated this prohibition. As a result, David’s multiple marriages led to incest and murder among his children. Solomon’s wives brought idolatry into Israel and turned Solomon’s heart away from God!
We see another example where God addresses the sin of polygamy in Malachi 2:11-17. The men of Judah described in this passage were already married but took on additional wives. Even though polygamy was practiced in the Old Testament, God clearly denounces this practice and His ideal for marriage is always one man and one woman who are faithful to each other for life. The prophet emphasizes this point also in verse 15 by saying:
Did not He make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union?
Most theologians agree that the question Malachi is asking actually infers; when God created man and instituted marriage, did he give many wives to one man (Adam)? No, God provided only one woman for one man. God could have created multiple wives (He was capable through His Spirit to do so) for Adam, but this was not His plan. When either Jesus or the apostle Paul answers questions about marriage, they like Malachi, refer back to the original marriage of Adam and Eve as God’s design for marriage. Whatever does not harmonize with the first marriage in the Garden of Eden is contrary to God’s design for marriage.
Also, wherever polygamy is practiced in scripture we see both disorder and jealousy resulting. When Jacob was deceived by Laban and ended up having both Leah and Rachael as his wives, scripture reveals that Jacob loved Rachael more than Leah and Leah was hated (Genesis 29:30-31). In 1 Samuel chapter one, we are told that Elkanah had two wives, Peninnah and Hannah. Since Elkanah loved Hannah more than Peninnah, Peninnah became jealous and provoked and irritated Hannah because she could not have children. Abraham’s wife Sarah became jealous of Hagar and insisted that Abraham send the competition and her baby away (Genesis 21:9-11).
Even though polygamy, like many other sinful practices are shown in scripture, God nowhere in scripture accepts or commends it, but rather shows the sinful results of it. God’s design for marriage was and still is one man and one woman!
The Bitter Husband
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Fervent Love
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Suggested Reading: 1 Peter 4:8, Luke 17:1-10 And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins. Should a husband and wife rebuke, repent and forgive each other over every little offense that happens in their marriage? If so, much of our time would be spent repairing every Continue Reading »
Kiss the Girl
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