Polygamy in the Bible

[Dora]

So how do you oppose the idea of modern polygamy when polygamy is obvious "ok" in the Old Testament. How do you argue that it is wrong to have multiply wives in modern society?

From my perspective polygamy puts women in a vulnerable position and is likely to result in abuse for the wife and for the children. Must create such confusion for the children. And there is always the issue of the husband preferring one wife over the other.

Just some rambling thoughts...feel free to contribute your views on the subject.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Dora

So how do you oppose the idea of modern polygamy when polygamy is obvious "ok" in the Old Testament. How do you argue that it is wrong to have multiply wives in modern society?

From my perspective polygamy puts women in a vulnerable position and is likely to result in abuse for the wife and for the children. Must create such confusion for the children. And there is always the issue of the husband preferring one wife over the other.

Just some rambling thoughts...feel free to contribute your views on the subject.

Can you imagine several jealous women in one household? The New Testament limits men, especially in leadership, from having more than one wife...there is good reason for that!

[Apocrypha]

Originally Posted by Dora

So how do you oppose the idea of modern polygamy when polygamy is obvious "ok" in the Old Testament. How do you argue that it is wrong to have multiply wives in modern society?

From my perspective polygamy puts women in a vulnerable position and is likely to result in abuse for the wife and for the children. Must create such confusion for the children. And there is always the issue of the husband preferring one wife over the other.

Just some rambling thoughts...feel free to contribute your views on the subject.

The New Testament doesn't ban it either. It only is a disqualifier in the case of a pastor/bishop in the church due to the potential for family strife.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by erikwebster

The New Testament doesn't ban it either. It only is a disqualifier in the case of a pastor/bishop in the church due to the potential for family strife.

ditto!

[TK Burk]

Polygamy is not condoned in the Bible. The hermeneutic law of ‘First Mention’ establishes one man (Adam) being married to one woman (Eve). That first couple is a type of the one bride (the Church) being married to one husband (One God). Genesis 2:24 has “a man” leaving his father and mother so as to become “one flesh” with “his wife.” Such wording indicates a monogamous relationship rather than polygamous. In the past God did ignore certain things due to men’s ignorance, but because of the New Covenant, He now calls all men to repentance (See Acts 14:16, Acts 17:30; Mark 10:5). To help make this marital issue clearer, you might want to look at these: Mat. 19:5, 29; Eph. 5:31, 33; 1Tim. 3:2, 12; Tit. 1:6.

[Apocrypha]

Our stance on polygamy is really only based on 3 things

1. its illegal and we follow the laws of the land
2. the backlash society would have in its current setting if the church allowed it after fighting it so long, we would have egg on our face big time
3. many of our preacher/teachers grew up thinking its wrong because they were taught it was wrong.. and i think this forum knows how hard it is to break tradition.

but technically.. if you go only by the Word and do Sola Scriptura... no we don't have a word to say about polygamy being not ethical, scriptural, or really anything if it is ever legalized here in America. Controversial.. yes... biblical... yes.

Theres a match on the gas.. have fun with that one

[Apocrypha]

Originally Posted by TK Burk

Polygamy is not condoned in the Bible. The hermeneutic law of ‘First Mention’ establishes one man (Adam) being married to one woman (Eve). That first couple is a type of the one bride (the Church) being married to one husband (One God). Genesis 2:24 has “a man” leaving his father and mother so as to become “one flesh” with “his wife.” Such wording indicates a monogamous relationship rather than polygamous. In the past God did ignore certain things due to men’s ignorance, but because of the New Covenant, He now calls all men to repentance (See Acts 14:16, Acts 17:30; Mark 10:5). To help make this marital issue clearer, you might want to look at these: Mat. 19:5, 29; Eph. 5:31, 33; 1Tim. 3:2, 12; Tit. 1:6.

Are you reading the same bible with the same OT laws of marriage that I do? It must be because I am using the NIV, NLT, AMP, and ESV. Im sure it reads different in your version.

[Apocrypha]

Exodus 21:10 10 If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights. (NIV)

Duet 21:15-17
15 If a man has two wives, and he loves one but not the other, and both bear him sons but the firstborn is the son of the wife he does not love, 16 when he wills his property to his sons, he must not give the rights of the firstborn to the son of the wife he loves in preference to his actual firstborn, the son of the wife he does not love. 17 He must acknowledge the son of his unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double share of all he has. That son is the first sign of his father's strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him.


I missed the words "Ban" "forbid" "Abomination" "evil" "sin" "tresspass" or any simiar words in these passages in context to a man in his relationship to God. Just food for thought if you are sticking strictly to scriptures and where it discusses the rules of marriage.

One man one wife is the ideal... but theres no ban on it.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Can you imagine several jealous women in one household? The New Testament limits men, especially in leadership, from having more than one wife...there is good reason for that!

I'm not in "leadership"

[Dora]

Wow! So it is a difficult stance to have if the Bible does not outright blast the idea as being an abomination.

What about people who are in some kind of wierd situation like polyamory. Living as if they are all married, but hiding it from society because of the stigma....Sort of makes me feel sick...