Kissin' Cousins?

[Mark]

expressly forbids the marrying of "near kin"; but both Abraham and Isaac command their sons to take wives from their immediate family. Is this rebellion against or is this evidence that was not yet in affect?

[lawrenceofisrael]

I think it was an exception at these times because Awraham (may the Lord remember him) as well as Yitzak and Yakov (may the Lord remember them) knew that the people from foreign families were already polytheists or at least most of them. I think that´s why they choose to marry women of their family. Rebellion against seems a bit of a hard word to be stated against these men who are amongst the best of all humans but i know what you mean and i think that´s not the case. If that was the case why would the Almighty and Wise help the servant of Awraham (may the Lord remember him) guide to finding Rivka ( may the Lord remember her) who was of the family of Awraham (may the Lord remember him)

But its a very good question to think about thats true.

Peace and blessings be upon you.

[Mark]

Rachel was a polytheist

And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.
(Genesis 31:19 KJV)

[Eliora]

I don't think cousins are considered near kin in the ... check out Leviticus 18. Unless there's somewhere else?

These are the people considered near kin in Lev 18:
father and mother
step-mother
siblings
grandchildren
step-siblings on the paternal side
aunts, including aunts through marriage
daughter-in-law
sister-in-law

[lawrenceofisrael]

You´re right Eliora. Yesterday i thought about this topic again and found that Kaleb (may the Lord remember him) who was the only one along with Yehoshua ben Nun (may the Lord remember him)
of those that were spying on Canaan who stood with the Lord.
He gave his daughter to his brothers son as well.
I think as far as i know there is no problem with marrying one´s cousin.
Thus i take back my first statement on this topic ;-).

Peace and blessings be upon you.