Multiple Wives

[Iryssa]

I haven't had time to do much researching through the Bible about this, but if it's illegal to marry more than one woman, then absolutely, no Christian should be doing it, since we are supposed to obey the laws of the land.

Just my first thoughts.

[Sirsilius]

I haven't had time to do much researching through the Bible about this, but if it's illegal to marry more than one woman, then absolutely, no Christian should be doing it, since we are supposed to obey the laws of the land.

Just my first thoughts.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Absolutely! I agree with you 100%.

But it's just a little interesting to see as far as the Bible goes and not the law of the land, where the starting and ending points are- regarding this matter.

If you come across something [in the Bible] please let us know- cause it's really getting interesting that no one has been able to provide clear-cut references that indicate the start and end of this issue from the Bible alone. And Quite frankly, I'm surprised. I, for one- don't know.

Does the evidence exist in the Bible?

[sheya joie]

Just think of all the infighting and bickering Jacob could have avoided.

Not to mention, Hannah's husband.

Oy!

~~~

Btw - in the Law, kings were warned not to multiply wives to themselves. So there's another mention, besides bishops not having more than one wife.

[Sirsilius]

sheya joie,Aug 18 2005, 12:09 AM]

Just think of all the infighting and bickering Jacob could have avoided.

Not to mention, Hannah's husband.

Oy!

Btw - in the Law, kings were warned not to multiply wives to themselves.

Edited August 18, 2005 by Sirsilius

[ayin jade]

So who allows multiple wives?

Islam

Mormons until they were forced by law to change. Although some cultic parts of them still have multiple wives in Utah and Arizona.

Doesnt seem like a good thing to have.

[yomotalking]

Someone stated that multiple wives started with Cain.

No surprise really.

[sheya joie]

sheya joie,Aug 18 2005, 12:09 AM]

Btw - in the Law, kings were warned not to multiply wives to themselves.

[nebula]

OK, so the Bible does not clearly say "do" or "do not" in this manner. But, let's look at what it does say - and then ask yourself, "Why?"

So, why are bishops not allowed to have more than one wife? And why were kings not to "multiply wives unto themselves?"

But we also need to look at why men married multiple wives in the first place. And we need to see what are the consequences?

Although not stated in Scripture, the fact that the human population was lower in ancient history than now is known. In ancient times, a woman's worth was placed on her ability to bear children. In fact, a woman with no children was considered cursed. So, what do you do if there are more women than men - whether by birth rate, war, or illnesses?

Another consideration is the value of children to men. If your life depends on herding and/or farming, more children mean more free labor. Thus children are assests and bring in more wealth.

Another consideration is the high mortality rate. One of the reason the Native Americans were so easily overcome was due to their low birth rate - not only did they have a smaller population than the "White Man", but as more of their people died by disease or battle, there were less children to replace them. So, societies in ancient times most likely were aware of the need for more children for the sake of preserving their society and culture.

It's a lot easier to have more children with more wives.

Now we can ask ourselves today - is it necessary for us to have polygamy? Will polygamy benifit our society in any way?

Women can take care of themselves now. Women, at least in Western society, are not meritted by childbirth. Mortality rates are low. Children - well - cost more money than they could possibly bring in.

So, what purpose does polygamy serve?

I'd go on with the other questions, but I think this post is long enough.

But I do challenge you to consider these questions for yourself.

[halifaxchristian]

I don't think that God ever okayed multiple wives.

[Sirsilius]

sheya joie, Aug 18 2005, 02:55 AM

Here is the passage:

Deu 17:14  When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;

Deu 17:15  Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.

Deu 17:16  But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.

Deu 17:17  Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

Deu 17:18  And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:

Deu 17:19  And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:

Deu 17:20  That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

But it's speaking about what the king should or should not do.

Thanks, sheya joie

And you're right, It is only speaking about King(s).