“What about…”
Aledo Church of Christ
Summer Series
2014
Polygamy
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Old Testament Monogamy
The family plan of Eden: Gen. 2:18-25
Others: Cain, 4:17; Noah, 7:7; Noah’s sons, 7:7; Isaac, 24:67;
Hadar, 36:39; Er, 38:6; Joseph, 41:45; Amram, Ex. 6:20;
etc.
“In the OT there are thirty-three reasonably clear historical
cases of polygamy out of approximately three thousand men
mentioned in the scriptural record”
Davidson, Richard M. Flame of Yahweh: Sexuality in the Old
Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2007; p. 210
Does the OT Approve or Disapprove?
1. Lamech, Gen. 4:19-24 (cf. Seth, 5:21-24)
2. Abraham, Gen. 16 & 21:9-21
3. Jacob, Gen. 29:21-31, 30:1-6, 34:13-31
4. Esau, Gen. 26:34-35, 27:46, 28:8-9
5. David, 2 Samuel 12:1-12
6. Solomon, 1 Kings 11:1-8
Repentance for Polygamy?
1. Jacob
•
•
•
•
Gen. 32:24-28 – wrestles with divine being
Gen. 35:16-19f – only Rachel is mentioned
conjugally
Rachel is only “wife” cf. 30:26 & 44:27
Rachel mentioned as wife: 46:15, 18-19, 25
2. David
•
•
•
•
11 wives and concubines
David leaves all alone after return 2 Sam. 20:3
Bathsheba seems to be only queen 1 Kings 1:15
Narrator specifies Abishag only served 1 Kg. 1:2-4
Passages Suggesting Polygamy
1. A woman and her sister: Leviticus 18:18
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Idiom “woman to her sister/man to his brother”
Used 20x in OT = fellow citizen
2. A female slave: Exodus 21:7-11
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Word translated “conjugal rights” is unknown
Could also be oil or housing: cf. 33:27, 2 Chronicle 30:27
3. Kings of Israel: Deuteronomy 17:15-17
4. Sons of multiple wives: Deuteronomy 21:15-17
5. Levirate Law: Deuteronomy 25:5-10
Davidson, Richard M. Flame of Yahweh: Sexuality in the Old
Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2007; p. 191-202
Summary:
1. The Bible never commands polygamy.
2. The Bible never speaks approvingly of
polygamy while stating the fact of its use.
3. The Bible seems to highlight conflicts
resulting from polygamy.
4. The Bible condemned polygamy (Lev. 18:18)