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Why did men have more than one wife in OT times


HisFirst

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And when did it return to one wife? 

As far as I know, Adam had one wife - Cain's descendant Lamech, had two - Gen 4 v 19

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As far as God's plans for marriage, nothing has changed. God made one wife for Adam and said that a "man should leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife" - not wives. He said, "...the TWO shall become one." God said in Deuteronomy 17 that the kings of Israel should not have multiple wives because it will lead to his heart being turned away from God.  Evidence there is Solomon having hundreds of wives and he in his later years becoming a idol worshiper with those who practice idolatry.  And it tore the nation of Israel apart -never to be restored like it was.

Jesus, when asked about divorce and marriage cited God's original plans "in the beginning" meaning that God's plans for a husband and wife has not changed.

Not one instance in the Old Testament where a man had more than one wife was the account a pleasant one. In fact, every case that I have studied was disastrous.  We can talk about those if you want.

The Bible is such a raw and frank book - outlining EVERYONE's flaws and sins. It holds nothing back. Just because events were recorded doesn't mean that God approved of those events.

Some say that God "winked" at polygamy because He wanted the world to be populated quickly. Well, if men having multiple wives was the way God wanted to have the world increase in number, then He would have given Adam, Noah, and Noah's sons MANY wives. Funny how he gave these men who literally were alone in the world only ONE wife each.

Some say that God pretended not to notice polygamy because women in ancient days had to turn to sexual slavery (concubinism) or prostitution if they did not have a husband. I don't know. All I do know is polygamy in the Old Testament did not work without its multiple pains and heartaches and sinful actions accompanying it.

God does not change. God's stance on marriage has never changed.

People in the Bible abuse the gifts God gave to humanity - including marriage - with horrible, horrible results. Just because God didn't strike them all dead doesn't mean that He approved of their lifestyles.

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1 hour ago, HisFirst said:

And when did it return to one wife? 

As far as I know, Adam had one wife - Cain's descendant Lamech, had two - Gen 4 v 19

Take a good look at lamech. He had two wives ... and he was a murderer. Seems like that shows that multiple wives isnt a good thing but rather the act of a man who was already set in sin. God set the pattern with adam and eve not adam and eve and jennifer. 

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back then life was simpler and women where easier to understand so It was not hard for a man to have more than one wife (ducking under the table to avoid flying Hymnals)

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Yikes! I don't advocate it, I was just asking ??

Yes, Jesus told His disciples that in the beginning (reference to Eden and first man/woman) man leaves parents and joins as one with wife - a clear reference that it is male and female as well.

I hadn't heard about the notion of populating the earth quickly - the long life spans of folk  in the beginning easily answers that question. 

 

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6 minutes ago, woundeddog said:

back then life was simpler and women where easier to understand so It was not hard for a man to have more than one wife (ducking under the table to avoid flying Hymnals)

LOL!!!?

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Thanks Jayne and AJ??

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There is no Biblical prohibition against a man having multiple wives. 

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41 minutes ago, Out of the Shadows said:

There is no Biblical prohibition against a man having multiple wives. 

Why would you go there tho?

The whole situation just breeds favouritism, jealousy, distrust - just look at the situation with Rachel and Leah.

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2 hours ago, Jayne said:

As far as God's plans for marriage, nothing has changed. God made one wife for Adam and said that a "man should leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife" - not wives. He said, "...the TWO shall become one." God said in Deuteronomy 17 that the kings of Israel should not have multiple wives because it will lead to his heart being turned away from God.  Evidence there is Solomon having hundreds of wives and he in his later years becoming a idol worshiper with those who practice idolatry.  And it tore the nation of Israel apart -never to be restored like it was.

Jesus, when asked about divorce and marriage cited God's original plans "in the beginning" meaning that God's plans for a husband and wife has not changed.

Not one instance in the Old Testament where a man had more than one wife was the account a pleasant one. In fact, every case that I have studied was disastrous.  We can talk about those if you want.

The Bible is such a raw and frank book - outlining EVERYONE's flaws and sins. It holds nothing back. Just because events were recorded doesn't mean that God approved of those events.

Some say that God "winked" at polygamy because He wanted the world to be populated quickly. Well, if men having multiple wives was the way God wanted to have the world increase in number, then He would have given Adam, Noah, and Noah's sons MANY wives. Funny how he gave these men who literally were alone in the world only ONE wife each.

Some say that God pretended not to notice polygamy because women in ancient days had to turn to sexual slavery (concubinism) or prostitution if they did not have a husband. I don't know. All I do know is polygamy in the Old Testament did not work without its multiple pains and heartaches and sinful actions accompanying it.

God does not change. God's stance on marriage has never changed.

People in the Bible abuse the gifts God gave to humanity - including marriage - with horrible, horrible results. Just because God didn't strike them all dead doesn't mean that He approved of their lifestyles.

So well said! Especially the last few sentences.

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