Polygamy in the Bible

[Apocrypha]

Our stance on polygamy is really only based on 3 things

1. its illegal and we follow the laws of the land
2. the backlash society would have in its current setting if the church allowed it after fighting it so long, we would have egg on our face big time
3. many of our preacher/teachers grew up thinking its wrong because they were taught it was wrong.. and i think this forum knows how hard it is to break tradition.

but technically.. if you go only by the Word and do Sola Scriptura... no we don't have a word to say about polygamy being not ethical, scriptural, or really anything if it is ever legalized here in America. Controversial.. yes... biblical... yes.

Theres a match on the gas.. have fun with that one

[Apocrypha]

Exodus 21:10 10 If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights. (NIV)

Duet 21:15-17
15 If a man has two wives, and he loves one but not the other, and both bear him sons but the firstborn is the son of the wife he does not love, 16 when he wills his property to his sons, he must not give the rights of the firstborn to the son of the wife he loves in preference to his actual firstborn, the son of the wife he does not love. 17 He must acknowledge the son of his unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double share of all he has. That son is the first sign of his father's strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him.


I missed the words "Ban" "forbid" "Abomination" "evil" "sin" "tresspass" or any simiar words in these passages in context to a man in his relationship to God. Just food for thought if you are sticking strictly to scriptures and where it discusses the rules of marriage.

One man one wife is the ideal... but theres no ban on it.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by erikwebster

Exodus 21:10 10 If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights. (NIV)

Duet 21:15-17
15 If a man has two wives, and he loves one but not the other, and both bear him sons but the firstborn is the son of the wife he does not love, 16 when he wills his property to his sons, he must not give the rights of the firstborn to the son of the wife he loves in preference to his actual firstborn, the son of the wife he does not love. 17 He must acknowledge the son of his unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double share of all he has. That son is the first sign of his father's strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him.


I missed the words "Ban" "forbid" "Abomination" "evil" "sin" "tresspass" or any simiar words in these passages in context to a man in his relationship to God. Just food for thought if you are sticking strictly to scriptures and where it discusses the rules of marriage.

One man one wife is the ideal... but theres no ban on it.

God established laws to regulate a man-made practice, but He did not institute polygamy anymore than He instituted slavery. There are lots of laws that regulate the practice of slavery, and how a "master" should treat his slaves, but that doesn't mean slavery is right. And it's most certainly not a reflection of biblical ideals and principles, both OT and NT.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

God established laws to regulate a man-made practice, but He did not institute polygamy anymore than He instituted slavery. There are lots of laws that regulate the practice of slavery, and how a "master" should treat his slaves, but that doesn't mean slavery is right. And it's most certainly not a reflection of biblical ideals and principles, both OT and NT.

God's Law is pretty clear. He nowhere illustrates that polygamy or slavery is specifically wrong in and of itself. Abraham is never called an adulterer specifically on account of polygamy. Neither is Jacob, Isaac, Moses, David, Solomon, or various kings of Israel. In fact God's Law commands it in regards to Levirate Marriage. These men are praised throughout the Scriptures.

If something were absolutely sinful God wouldn't permit it at all, let alone command it for any circumstance.

Now, this doesn't mean that polygamy works. Nor does it mean that polygamy is a NT practice. Clearly by the time of the NT monogamy was held in high regard and Paul appears to uphold monogamous principles.

[Dora]

Wow! So it is a difficult stance to have if the Bible does not outright blast the idea as being an abomination.

What about people who are in some kind of wierd situation like polyamory. Living as if they are all married, but hiding it from society because of the stigma....Sort of makes me feel sick...

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Dora

Wow! So it is a difficult stance to have if the Bible does not outright blast the idea as being an abomination.

What about people who are in some kind of wierd situation like polyamory. Living as if they are all married, but hiding it from society because of the stigma....Sort of makes me feel sick...

Dora, if I did not know better I would think you are asking about your own "situation"!


I do know our missionaries wrestle with this question on foreign soil.

[Dora]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Dora, if I did not know better I would think you are asking about your own "situation"!


I do know our missionaries wrestle with this question on foreign soil.

WHAT???? Gross!!!

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Dora, if I did not know better I would think you are asking about your own "situation"!


I do know our missionaries wrestle with this question on foreign soil.

If there hasn't already, there's going to come a point when people on US soil need to address this. While still considered out there even by the alternative crowd, it's gaining popularity.

[Dora]

Originally Posted by nahkoe

If there hasn't already, there's going to come a point when people on US soil need to address this. While still considered out there even by the alternative crowd, it's gaining popularity.

Why is it gaining in popularity???

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Dora

Why is it gaining in popularity???

Because it is in certain circles.

Why, would require a philosophy degree to get into. lol

It's seriously not as uncommon as y'all might think.