Biblical Polygamy

[Mark]

If the relationship between husband and wife is simply the relationship between master and servant, and the love of Messiah for His Church is no different than Great-aunt Sophi's love for her cocker spaniel, then there is no credible argument against Bryce's position. But if that's what you believe, then you have my pity.

[bryce]

I've never said that the relationship between husband and wife is "simply the relationship between master and servant". I'm really sick of your personal attacks against me, so I'm leaving your site.

[veggirl]

davidwiseman,

Yes polygyny is against God's Law, Our God NEVER wanted that to happen.. I see it was done in the bible I also see that it was WRONG! I see it was not good and good things come from GOD! and polygyny was not from God.

[jimmie]

Deut. 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.

This seems to be an injunction to having more than one wife at least for kings.
Since we are to be kings and preist we should start acting like ones.

God created Adam and Eve. Not Adam and Eve and Mary and etc. God's original design should be good enough for us.

[lawrenceofisrael]

Still as far as i remember King David had multiple wives. Because the correct translation is that he shall not exeggerate it as his sond did.
But as we see from some comments above from a specific person all discussion about this is senseless because this one specific person is incapable of accepting other opinions and debating them respectfully and with wisdom

However thanks for your comment cause you seem to be different.
May peace and blessings be upon you.

[jimmie]

Forgive me if I digress, but here are some more of my thoughts on this subject.

Isa 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

I have had friends use this text as proof that polygyny is good. But from the context it appears to be a curse. The previous two verses informing us that the men had fallen by the sword. So it would appear to me if you or your nation is in a situation of having too few men for the number of women, polygyny is not a way to secure the blessings of God but rather a continuation of his wrath. An example of this would be Lot’s two daughters taking hold of him to take away their reproach (not having children). Dare we say that Lot was showing compassion to his daughters by giving them seed. God forbid.

Now I would like to turn our attention to three examples of levirate marriage.

Gen 38:6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.
7 And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.
8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.
10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.
11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.

It appears clear that both Onan and Shelah were unmarried when faced with performing the Levirate marriage. In these cases, the levirate marriage was necessitated by wickedness on the part of Er and Onan.

Ruth 4:5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.
6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

The nearer kinsman was going to redeem the land until he found out that he had to also take on a wife that would some how mare his own inheritance. Notice he didn’t say that he did not want to but that he could not do it. The only way that I can think of it marring his inheritance is if Ruth had the first born son. So he declines the marriage possibly on the grounds that he already has a wife with whom he wants his inheritance to pass. Boaz takes Ruth to wife. We are not told if he is married but he is not worried about marring his inheritance. Ruth’s son, Obed, does become the primary offspring of Boaz. It appears as though Ruth is his only wife.

Mark 12:18 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,
19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.
22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.
24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

Here the Sadducees are trying to use the levirate marriage law to prove something unscriptural.
Like wise those who would use the levirate marriage law to justify polygyny is using the levirate marriage law unlawfully.

[R' Y'hoshua Moshe]

Amein. The practice of polygamy in some instances has been allowed throughout history, as seen in the . Although, it has not been Adonai's good and perfect will - He has allowed it and has worked around it to accomplish some of His purposes. But, as we read the scriptures, often the result of polygamy was damage to the family, discord and a stumbling block that led to sin. And, this is where it leads to today when some misled people try to practice it.

It leads to strife and discord within the family and community. I have seen first-hand several people try to do this and this has ALWAYS been the result. It leads to their isolation from the community where they had fellowship with and their family begins to fall apart. Furthermore, the result is that the people involved are often led into various other sins that they have fallen into because of the situation.

But, the person trying to practice it often doesn't care how it effects the family and the rest of society because they are only concerned about the carnal desires for their sexual satisfaction. It is completely selfish and all about #1 (themselves). But, the scriptures teach us to put others first. Again...the practice is not Adonai's good and perfect will.

Also, I have witnessed that the men who start claiming that they are going to practice the taking of more than one wife is on many occasions the result of the man already committing adultery (having sexual relations with another woman)…Because they either feel so bad about it later or because they are afraid of being condemned they feel like they have to come up with some scriptural justification for their actions. And, the doctrine of polygamy just happens to suite their needs for justification. We should give these individuals no such justification! Again, it has been my personal witness that someone who pushes this doctrine is already having a secret affair and is tired of living the double life so they try to find scriptural justification for having sex with more than one woman. It is shameful and should be condemned without apology.

For these reasons Judaism across the board (its Sages, its Rabbis, and Wisemen) long ago outlawed and condemned the practice of taking multiple wives. These things are why the King of Yisrael was commanded not to multiply wives (as seen with Melech Shlomo/King Solomon) and this is why later the writings of the Emissaries teach us that spiritual leaders should be a man of only one wife. This is because it is Adonai's good and perfect will concerning this matter. The spiritual leaders are to be the example for the people to follow and this is why these standards have been established for them to display.

I think this thread has almost run its length and unless anyone else has any great points and comments...this thread will shortly be closed.

Thank you for all those whom have participated.

Shalom,

Reuel