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by wfbrad on December 15th, 2005
I would speculate that polygamy was one of the things God tolerated in His Saints, but did not necessarily condone. I believe that God's original design for the institution of marriage was when He made Eve for Adam. Never is there mentioned more than one wife for Adam, nor did he have a special friend named Steve. Eve was made as a helpmeet for Adam. To complete him, and be his companion. Adam loved Eve, because she was part of him, and created to be his companion and helper, and was literally of his flesh. God didn't make him more than one wife.
There is precedent for God tolerating things but not condoning them in the Bible. In the case of divorce.
Matthew 19:8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
Notice the last 8 words of the verse. Divorce was not part of God's plan for us, but it was tolerated.
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You're reading Many of the Biblical patriarchs had multiple wives. Does the Bible specifically forbid polygamy?
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Comments
I appreciate this answer. Oh the unfathomable mercy of God towards us and in spite of us.
by TulsaDavid on February 28th, 2006
Amen.
by Anonymous too on November 4th, 2006
2 Samuel 12:7-8 "And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master s house, and thy master s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things." This is the beginning of Nathan's condemnation of David for his affair with Bathsheba. Note however, that God states that He gave David his wives (plural). This is not God simply tolerating the practice. This is God taking an active part in giving David multiple wives. Furthermore, God says that He would have given David more if he had but asked. So, at certain times, God did more than just tolerated bigamy. At times He actually condoned it.
by Glenn Blaylock on February 14th, 2007
Read the passage again and in context. It is all about Natham exposing David's stealing of Uriah's wife Bathsheba for which He is under God's judgement. You can hardly say that God is condoning on one hand and judging on the other! There is a simple explanation in the simple reading of the text (try a version that is not in Elizabethan English, that might help) It is clear that God is reminding David that he victoriousl gave to him Saul's kingdom, his household and his responsibilities to care for.
wfbrad I fully agree with your exposition of the Genesis passage concerning marriage and I believe that this creation order is for all men for all time. Well done.
by peterpam on June 26th, 2007
Someone else bumped up this question, so I don't feel bad for commenting on this old answer.
David received his wives from God, but was condemned for stealing another man's wife, then having that man killed.
by laie_techie on December 12th, 2008
Never forbidden! Always blessed! (....Blessed the man w/ a full quiver...!)
(For the God fearing Christian man):
Since marriage divides a man's interests from the Lord and his work, then more wives divides it more. SIMPLE! Some men should have NO wife! Some men are able to handle more than one!
Some have chosen to serve God whole heartedly/mindedly/bodily without the responsibilities of a wife/family.
Would to God that more God fearing/obeying men would have as large a family as possible for Gods' glory!
I personally will be glad to hang any jury that tries to convict a man of the "awful crime" of polygamy!!!!!!
Here in Michigan, one can be locked up for up to ten years for even trying to persuade someone to marry a second wife. What a dark day we are in! Liars and oppressors!!
God will judge and Jesus Christ Rules forever!!!
" What soever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye also unto them"!!
PV
by Paul_V4852 on November 1st, 2010