Polygamy is allowed

[The_Patriot21]

Technically except in the case of leadership (kings and church leadership where it's specifically forbidden) the premise of the OP is technically correct, it is allowed. However, the real question is is it wise?

[Galleon]

I will come in with a side point that polygamy in the Old Testament could be seen as a social service rather than outright lewd. 

Because of the allowance on divorce, there were many women who would be former wives. Many men would turn these women aside because they were "used," but... Imagine George has his wife Carla. Carla has a friend named Emily. Emily's husband unexpectedly dies, let's just say warfare. Emily can't get a job... Maybe her kids can look after her, but how old are they, etc etc. So then George also marries Emily not necessarily out of lust nor love, but as a means of support, social protection. As well, there were a lot more legal protections at the time for married women. 

I'm personally of the belief that polygamy, or non-monogamy in general, is not the intended way. Scriptural nor otherwise. I'm merely pointing out possible reasons for this allowance within the old testament. I mean, imagine being Solomon's 417th wife out of however many wives he had in the end. You don't see the guy much. Get to live in the palace or probably get a nice little stipend, enough for a nice home of your own. Not a bad deal, honestly.

[The_Patriot21]

1 hour ago, Galleon said:

I will come in with a side point that polygamy in the Old Testament could be seen as a social service rather than outright lewd. 

Because of the allowance on divorce, there were many women who would be former wives. Many men would turn these women aside because they were "used," but... Imagine George has his wife Carla. Carla has a friend named Emily. Emily's husband unexpectedly dies, let's just say warfare. Emily can't get a job... Maybe her kids can look after her, but how old are they, etc etc. So then George also marries Emily not necessarily out of lust nor love, but as a means of support, social protection. As well, there were a lot more legal protections at the time for married women. 

I'm personally of the belief that polygamy, or non-monogamy in general, is not the intended way. Scriptural nor otherwise. I'm merely pointing out possible reasons for this allowance within the old testament. I mean, imagine being Solomon's 417th wife out of however many wives he had in the end. You don't see the guy much. Get to live in the palace or probably get a nice little stipend, enough for a nice home of your own. Not a bad deal, honestly.

Indeed. And a lot of Solomon's wives were political in nature as well. Multiple wives were also seen as a sign of power and wealth.

An interesting note here, God did say speci8 that kings should not have many wives, yet both David and Solomon had multiple wives and followed Gods law. So it's proof that no one's perfect, except Gods grace.

[The_Patriot21]

11 hours ago, Frits said:

In my opinion, the only reason for polygamy is lust, sex, desire.

And the lust 'of the flesh' is, next to the lust of the eyes and pride, precisely the method of the devil to bring sin into the world! (1 John 2:16)

If the argument for polygamy is only to take a few women into the family and take care of them, then that man can also solve that by giving his money to one or two neighbor women.

In today's culture that's a viable option. Ancient Israel or before, that was not a good option. Depending on the time period women widows would lead a life of poverty or end up in prostitution, sold off into slavery, forced to marry someone that would mistreat them, etc. even if none of the above, just giving the widow money to live off of would start rumors going.

But, we're not talking about the culture 5000 years ago we are talking about today. 

But today, the Bible still doesn't prohibit it scripturally except in the case of church leaders (church leaders cannot marry more then one wife that's spelled out black and white) and the other thing is the law-most US states prohibit polygamy, and as we're supposed to follow the government unless it goes against the Bible, and the Bible also doesn't command us to have more then one wife, we legally cannot.

In the few places that polygamy is legal, I would argue that while it may not be a sin, it's not a good idea. I would agree one man for one wife is the Biblical ideal, and having more then one is asking for trouble.

As Paul said, while all things are permissable not all things are beneficial.

[Anne2]

15 hours ago, The_Patriot21 said:

Technically except in the case of leadership (kings and church leadership where it's specifically forbidden) the premise of the OP is technically correct, it is allowed. However, the real question is is it wise?

Scripture? Not multiply to himself multiple Horses vs 16, wives vs 17

Dt 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;

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

Horses, are for horsemen: Military might

1 ki 10:14  
1Ki 10:26  And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
 From bible hub...Gideons army

Judges 7:2 records: “The LORD said to Gideon, ‘You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hand, lest Israel boast, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” This directive raises a striking question: Why would God deliberately shrink Gideon’s army, countering what seems like basic, strategic wisdom?

Divine Intent: Preventing Boasting

The passage itself supplies the core answer: God wanted to ensure that no one could claim victory by human might or military genius. By reducing the army to 300 men, God underscored that the triumph would be divine rather than purely human.

Gold and silver Wealth, riches 

Gen 14:22  And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
23  That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
 

Deut 8:17  And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
18  But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

That his heart be lifted up....like????????

Dan 4:28  All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29  At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. {in: or, upon }
30  The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
31  While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

Dan vs 4:25 thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
 

4:32 thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
now that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
vs 4:34 blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

vs 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

vs 4:37  Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

For wives?

But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; {together … : or, beside }
2  Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
3  And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
4  For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
5  For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. {Milcom: also called, Molech }
6  And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.

 

[The_Patriot21]

3 hours ago, Anne2 said:

Scripture? Not multiply to himself multiple Horses vs 16, wives vs 17

Dt 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;

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

Horses, are for horsemen: Military might

1 ki 10:14  
1Ki 10:26  And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
 From bible hub...Gideons army

Judges 7:2 records: “The LORD said to Gideon, ‘You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hand, lest Israel boast, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” This directive raises a striking question: Why would God deliberately shrink Gideon’s army, countering what seems like basic, strategic wisdom?

Divine Intent: Preventing Boasting

The passage itself supplies the core answer: God wanted to ensure that no one could claim victory by human might or military genius. By reducing the army to 300 men, God underscored that the triumph would be divine rather than purely human.

Gold and silver Wealth, riches 

Gen 14:22  And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
23  That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
 

Deut 8:17  And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
18  But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

That his heart be lifted up....like????????

Dan 4:28  All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29  At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. {in: or, upon }
30  The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
31  While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

Dan vs 4:25 thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
 

4:32 thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
now that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
vs 4:34 blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

vs 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

vs 4:37  Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

For wives?

But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; {together … : or, beside }
2  Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
3  And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
4  For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
5  For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. {Milcom: also called, Molech }
6  And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.

 

Indeed I do believe I stated on multiple occasions that God prohibited kings from having multiple wives. In fact from pretty much any leadership position.

However it doesn't prohibit people not in leadership.

And it obviously wasn't the unpardonable sin because both David and Solomon had multiple wives, and while there were some earthly consequences they were both considered Godly kings. David is even described as. "Man after Gods own heart"

Gideon even had 70 wives, and unlike David and Solomon the Bible doesn't mention any negative consequences of it.

[Hawkins]

What being common with slavery is that, it's not a priority for God to fight a system defined by the most moral men on earth. It will be a distraction on maximizing the saving of souls. Israel as humans can't fight a system defined and endorsed by the most moral humans on earth, they can't fight slavery and they can't fight polygamy to a high standard. At the same time, it's not the priority either. Israel is for God to convey His message of salvation. The priority is rather whether the Jews are capable of being loyal to God and faithful to the message (the Scripture) to be conveyed. Fighting the influence from their surrounding cultures is less of a priority, (or rather it is a distraction as Israel is already too rebellious to carry forward the message with priority), unless the culture could potentially destory Israel. Under that circumstance, God commands to eradicate the Canaanites.

God is harsh towards the Jews when they failed to stay close to God for the message to convey. There's no more time to fight against the world with its systems endorsed by what deemed as "the most moral humans". God allows such influence because its inevitable. Mosaic Law is to regulate what is necessary instead of forbidding the world habits and their influence completely (that will be with extra difficulties and will be a distraction to human salvation).

 

Matthew 19:8
Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.
 

If there's one occasion where "it was not this way from the beginning", then there could be other occasions as well. All because "hearts were hard", as influenced by a world with systems defined by men who can be deemed as "the moral ones on earth".

Edited May 9 by Hawkins

[Hawkins]

Isaiah 14:17
the man who made the world a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?

The devil's effort is to corrupt the world. Humans deemed to be "the most moral" ones could possibly be the least corrupted. God's priority is not with this corrected, instead He goes through Israel to bring forward salvation to humans such that humans will be saved independent of their works, but faith which matters.

 

[lrs68]

Abraham had one wife and a Concubine.

 

It's also true that Jacob had two wives and from those wives and concubines came the 12 sons representing the 12 Tribes of Israel.

 

We also see King David and his son King Solomon and several others had multiple wives.

 

What's interesting is by the time we get to the era where Jesus came to be among His creation the religious sects [Pharisee Sadducees Scribe] typically only had one wife.

 

Even Paul wrote that Deacons [I'm positive this also includes Disciples Apostles all Clergy] were to only be the husband of one wife.

 

So what does that mean for men who are not Church leaders like the Ushers and such?

 

The Church and leadership are designed to be a format or the example for everyone part of the members of the Church.  So I believe since the Church leadership is instructed to only have one wife then all of the men of the Church should only have one wife.

 

That would also mean that all of the married women should only have one husband.   Thought it would be good to mention that because even though it seems logical one never knows who will read this post.

Edited May 9 by lrs68

[farouk]

4 minutes ago, lrs68 said:

Abraham had one wife and a Concubine.

 

It's also true that Jacob had two wives and from those wives and concubines came the 12 sons representing the 12 Tribes of Israel.

 

We also see King David and his son King Solomon and several others had multiple wives.

 

What's interesting is by the time we get to the era where Jesus came to be among His creation the religious sects [Pharisee Sadducees Scribe] typically only had one wife.

 

Even Paul wrote that Deacons [I'm positive this also includes Disciples Apostles all Clergy] were to only be the husband of one wife.

 

So what does that mean for men who are not Church leaders like the Ushers and such?

 

The Church and leadership are designed to be a format or the example for everyone part of the members of the Church.  So I believe since the Church leadership is instructed to only have one wife then all of the men of the Church should only have one wife.

 

That would also mean that all of the married women should only have one husband.   Thought it would be good to mention that because even though it seems logical one never knows who will read this post.

Hi @Irs68 Although polygamy is indeed in the Old Testament, it is not actually approved of; indeed, there are many examples of how this practice brought a huge amount of problems.