Polygamy

[OopsMartin]

If someone marries another who has two heads is that polygamy? There are people born with two heads, maybe one in 11 million or something. Are two-headed people allowed to marry?

Ya know I've seen snakes with two heads, turtles, cows, sheep..... but never people. You're kidding, right.

[sheya joie]

One of the reasons in the Bible that men practiced polygamy was if the first wife was unable to have children. This is seen plainly in the case of Abram and Sarai, when she suggested he take Hagar as an additional wife. (A slave-wife, or concubine.) Rachel did the same in telling her husband Jacob to take her handmaid as a wife. And it looks like the same sort of thing happened in the case of Elkanah and Hannah, in that Hannah could not have children while the other wife, Peninah, had many children.

I wonder if the Jacob situation happened a lot - the man being tricked into marrying the wrong sister, then winding up married to both sisters. That was quite a nightmare.

Other than that, most cases of polygamy in the Bible seem to involve wealthy, powerful men (usually kings). Many of those marriages were likely made as part of political alliances. Apparently the kings of Israel and Judah didn't take seriously the admonition in the Law of Moses that kings not multiply wives to themselves.

[None]

In the case of Rachel, she was fiercely competing with her sister Leah, who gave birth to baby after baby while she sat there, barren. Rachel was the one Jacob loved but for how long? She was worried about losing her man's adoration, so, she gave her maid to have children for Jacob in her own name. It was almost like surrogate parenting but without the technology. Jacob, being in a house with so many women, knew he had no choice in the matter. There's no way a man can battle more women than one and win. Out of sheer lack of strength, the man loses his say in most matters and gives in(a far cry from the strong Jacob who battled that angel to recieve the blessing). Jacob was an example of unfortunate events that put him in a position he never invited or sought after. First, his heart drove him into a bad situation, then, the overwhelming competition between his wives made the bad situation worse. He was living in a prison filled with battling women. You don't hear much out of his mouth in between his marriages and his reuniting with Joseph and there's a lot of years there inbetween, unspoken.

Sarah and Abraham had a much stronger relationship, including a very strong one with God. It is apparent that God was displeased with Abraham's lack of faith by taking the maid for a wife to bear his child. Because it was only that one incident, Hagar was tortured by Sarah until she ran away; she could no longer bear the situation. An angel of God had to reason with her and bring her back to where she and her child would be safe, otherwise, she and her child would have died. Her situation was so unbarable that God looked down and took pity on her. That's pretty bad. She had thought all hope was lost, to the point of death. That should tell us women, if nothing more, that it's impossible to have a good relationship or to have a happy life when there are too many 'players on the field'. It's better the way God meant it to be, one husband, one wife.

[hmh]

In the case of Rachel, she was fiercely competing with her sister Leah, who gave birth to baby after baby while she sat there, barren. Rachel was the one Jacob loved but for how long? She was worried about losing her man's adoration, so, she gave her maid to have children for Jacob in her own name. It was almost like surrogate parenting but without the technology. Jacob, being in a house with so many women, knew he had no choice in the matter. There's no way a man can battle more women than one and win. Out of sheer lack of strength, the man loses his say in most matters and gives in(a far cry from the strong Jacob who battled that angel to recieve the blessing). Jacob was an example of unfortunate events that put him in a position he never invited or sought after. First, his heart drove him into a bad situation, then, the overwhelming competition between his wives made the bad situation worse. He was living in a prison filled with battling women. You don't hear much out of his mouth in between his marriages and his reuniting with Joseph and there's a lot of years there inbetween, unspoken.

Sarah and Abraham had a much stronger relationship, including a very strong one with God. It is apparent that God was displeased with Abraham's lack of faith by taking the maid for a wife to bear his child. Because it was only that one incident, Hagar was tortured by Sarah until she ran away; she could no longer bear the situation. An angel of God had to reason with her and bring her back to where she and her child would be safe, otherwise, she and her child would have died. Her situation was so unbarable that God looked down and took pity on her. That's pretty bad. She had thought all hope was lost, to the point of death. That should tell us women, if nothing more, that it's impossible to have a good relationship or to have a happy life when there are too many 'players on the field'. It's better the way God meant it to be, one husband, one wife.

These are excellent examples of why men should only have one wife. There is no way I could ever have two or more wives. It ain't happening. Women will turn on each other and the battles are ugly. And the man will end up becoming the focal point of all other bashing that is left. It is not a pretty picture.

[OopsMartin]

These are excellent examples of why men should only have one wife. There is no way I could ever have two or more wives. It ain't happening. Women will turn on each other and the battles are ugly. And the man will end up becoming the focal point of all other bashing that is left. It is not a pretty picture.

A very wise conclusion.

[Lionroot]

Firstly, two specific examples that indicate a pattern.

This is a weak basis for a doctrine. I guess you could prove just about anything if you could see the pattern. This is a bit like reading tea leaves though. It probably explains why there is so much division in the church.

That is why God is not wishy washy. He is bold. "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife". "You shall not commit adultery". "I hate divorce,...". Why then on this issue do you think God only offers "patterns" and hints?

God Bless,

Robert

Edited July 4, 2007 by Lionroot

[Scarletprayers]

In the case of Rachel, she was fiercely competing with her sister Leah, who gave birth to baby after baby while she sat there, barren. Rachel was the one Jacob loved but for how long? She was worried about losing her man's adoration, so, she gave her maid to have children for Jacob in her own name. It was almost like surrogate parenting but without the technology. Jacob, being in a house with so many women, knew he had no choice in the matter. There's no way a man can battle more women than one and win. Out of sheer lack of strength, the man loses his say in most matters and gives in(a far cry from the strong Jacob who battled that angel to recieve the blessing). Jacob was an example of unfortunate events that put him in a position he never invited or sought after. First, his heart drove him into a bad situation, then, the overwhelming competition between his wives made the bad situation worse. He was living in a prison filled with battling women. You don't hear much out of his mouth in between his marriages and his reuniting with Joseph and there's a lot of years there inbetween, unspoken.

Sarah and Abraham had a much stronger relationship, including a very strong one with God. It is apparent that God was displeased with Abraham's lack of faith by taking the maid for a wife to bear his child. Because it was only that one incident, Hagar was tortured by Sarah until she ran away; she could no longer bear the situation. An angel of God had to reason with her and bring her back to where she and her child would be safe, otherwise, she and her child would have died. Her situation was so unbarable that God looked down and took pity on her. That's pretty bad. She had thought all hope was lost, to the point of death. That should tell us women, if nothing more, that it's impossible to have a good relationship or to have a happy life when there are too many 'players on the field'. It's better the way God meant it to be, one husband, one wife.

These are excellent examples of why men should only have one wife. There is no way I could ever have two or more wives. It ain't happening. Women will turn on each other and the battles are ugly. And the man will end up becoming the focal point of all other bashing that is left. It is not a pretty picture.

Jacob "Its not my fault, the woman made me do it"

Abraham "Its not my fault, the woman made me do it"

Adam "Its not my fault, the woman made me do it"

[Guest Biblicist]

In the case of Rachel, she was fiercely competing with her sister Leah, who gave birth to baby after baby while she sat there, barren. Rachel was the one Jacob loved but for how long? She was worried about losing her man's adoration, so, she gave her maid to have children for Jacob in her own name. It was almost like surrogate parenting but without the technology. Jacob, being in a house with so many women, knew he had no choice in the matter. There's no way a man can battle more women than one and win. Out of sheer lack of strength, the man loses his say in most matters and gives in(a far cry from the strong Jacob who battled that angel to recieve the blessing). Jacob was an example of unfortunate events that put him in a position he never invited or sought after. First, his heart drove him into a bad situation, then, the overwhelming competition between his wives made the bad situation worse. He was living in a prison filled with battling women. You don't hear much out of his mouth in between his marriages and his reuniting with Joseph and there's a lot of years there inbetween, unspoken.

Sarah and Abraham had a much stronger relationship, including a very strong one with God. It is apparent that God was displeased with Abraham's lack of faith by taking the maid for a wife to bear his child. Because it was only that one incident, Hagar was tortured by Sarah until she ran away; she could no longer bear the situation. An angel of God had to reason with her and bring her back to where she and her child would be safe, otherwise, she and her child would have died. Her situation was so unbarable that God looked down and took pity on her. That's pretty bad. She had thought all hope was lost, to the point of death. That should tell us women, if nothing more, that it's impossible to have a good relationship or to have a happy life when there are too many 'players on the field'. It's better the way God meant it to be, one husband, one wife.

These are excellent examples of why men should only have one wife. There is no way I could ever have two or more wives. It ain't happening. Women will turn on each other and the battles are ugly. And the man will end up becoming the focal point of all other bashing that is left. It is not a pretty picture.

Jacob "Its not my fault, the woman made me do it"

Abraham "Its not my fault, the woman made me do it"

Adam "Its not my fault, the woman made me do it"

Very succinct, SilentPrayer. Well said!

[None]

In the case of Rachel, she was fiercely competing with her sister Leah, who gave birth to baby after baby while she sat there, barren. Rachel was the one Jacob loved but for how long? She was worried about losing her man's adoration, so, she gave her maid to have children for Jacob in her own name. It was almost like surrogate parenting but without the technology. Jacob, being in a house with so many women, knew he had no choice in the matter. There's no way a man can battle more women than one and win. Out of sheer lack of strength, the man loses his say in most matters and gives in(a far cry from the strong Jacob who battled that angel to recieve the blessing). Jacob was an example of unfortunate events that put him in a position he never invited or sought after. First, his heart drove him into a bad situation, then, the overwhelming competition between his wives made the bad situation worse. He was living in a prison filled with battling women. You don't hear much out of his mouth in between his marriages and his reuniting with Joseph and there's a lot of years there inbetween, unspoken.

Sarah and Abraham had a much stronger relationship, including a very strong one with God. It is apparent that God was displeased with Abraham's lack of faith by taking the maid for a wife to bear his child. Because it was only that one incident, Hagar was tortured by Sarah until she ran away; she could no longer bear the situation. An angel of God had to reason with her and bring her back to where she and her child would be safe, otherwise, she and her child would have died. Her situation was so unbarable that God looked down and took pity on her. That's pretty bad. She had thought all hope was lost, to the point of death. That should tell us women, if nothing more, that it's impossible to have a good relationship or to have a happy life when there are too many 'players on the field'. It's better the way God meant it to be, one husband, one wife.

These are excellent examples of why men should only have one wife. There is no way I could ever have two or more wives. It ain't happening. Women will turn on each other and the battles are ugly. And the man will end up becoming the focal point of all other bashing that is left. It is not a pretty picture.

Jacob "Its not my fault, the woman made me do it"

Abraham "Its not my fault, the woman made me do it"

Adam "Its not my fault, the woman made me do it"

Very succinct, SilentPrayer. Well said!

More women, less blame. Hmmm. So, they WERE taking notes from Adam, after all.

Hosea 4:14

14) "I will not punish your daughters

when they turn to prostitution,

nor your daughters-in-law

when they commit adultery,

because the men themselves consort with harlots

and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes

[Guest]

Welcome Brother Hugh

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