When the bible records episodes of polygamy, unhappiness was always the result. Although much of israels history can be summed up in the rivalry of leah and racheljudah and josephyet it was not jacob s choice but labans fraud that introduced this cause. Polygamy is also found in many societies which do not believe in the bible, and in most cases that. Highlights from the book of genesis ii from the creation of the first man, adam, to the death of jacobs son joseph, genesis covers 2,369 years of human history.
In biblical times it was common to find the custom of having more than one wife or husband at the same time. One of the biggest hurdles to believing the bible is the content of the first testament. The bible is a realistic book, and it doesnt spare any of the gory details. From 1830 to 1876, lds scripture was consistent in prohibited polygamy. What the bible says about polygamy the annotated bible. Now, lets look at the second chapter of jacob again. That jacob speaks ill of these biblical polygamists but not righteous men such as abraham and jacob, who also married multiple wives genesis 16. Many other men in the bible practiced polygamy, such as abraham, solomon, david, and jacob. The other polygamists in scripture were lamech a descendant of cain who killed a guy and esau who well he was esau, nuff said we dont see any of the twelve sons of jacob having mutliple wives, moses, joshua, caleb, the judges not even sampson or the prophets. Next, you have to read every book to the end, and especially in its biblical context.
The problems produced by the polygamy of the patriarchs. Outside the book of genesis there still remains almost the entire outline of jacobs life josh 24. The problems produced by the polygamy of the patriarchs catholic. God seems to have allowed polygamy to solve a problem in brutal times, but it is not the ideal. Some of them were gods favorite people including abraham, jacob, gideon, solomon, and david. If the book of genesis were lost, the significance as well as the basic outline of his life can be reconstructed. There is simply not any bible verse in the old or new testaments that forbids polygamy. Bible verses related to polygamy from the king james version kjv by book order sort by relevance genesis 4. In fact, the bible says that god gave david his plural wives. The truth is that the story of polygamy in the old testament is, well, a problem. Why it was permitted is the subject of theological debate. After that jacob preached against the practice of polygamy. Though many conservatives claim that the christian scriptures teach only one model for marriageone man.
Historically, members of the latterday saints lds or mormons practiced polygamy, although the acceptance of the practice changed as new revelation was given to the prophets of the church. The conditions of jacobs marriages were such that it is hard to say whether any of his children were of any other than of polygamous origin genesis 35. For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife. It is important to remember that the bible records many acts of both sin and righteousness. Bible verses related to polygamy from the king james version kjv by relevance sort by book order exodus 21. Jacob specified that plural marriage may be practiced when god commanded it, but insisted that monogamy was otherwise the norm. What the bible says about polygamy there are many polygamists in the bible. How might readers make sense of this connection between polygamy and material wealth. Did the ot writers promote polygamy or prohibit it. The bible contains historical accounts of past events, prophesies about the future events, and instructions from god about spiritual life. First, description is not the same as prescription. What the bible really says about polygamy bible and. Later on in the new testament, the bible makes it clear that he intends marriage to be between one man and one womanas it was from the beginning matthew 19. Baird, understanding jacobs teachings about plural marriage from a law of moses context, interpreter.
Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the lord. With regard to the polygamyconcubinage of jacob, in addition to the narrative bristling with details of the disastrous consequences of polygamy in jacobs dysfunctional family, there are also hints in the text that after jacobs wrestling with the angel at the jabbok river gen. If you were to study the bible, you would see it is in agreement with the book of mormon on this matter. Maimonides, in his guide of the perplexed book 3, ch. The bible and multiple wives and concubines several prominent men in the old testament were polygamists. The purpose of the book, in his own words, is to persuade all men to come unto christ jacob 1. The second chapter of the book of jacob in the book of mormon contains the only explicit teaching about polygamy in the nephite record. Even going back to adam and eve, polygamy was not gods original intent. The first instance of polygamybigamy in the bible was that of lamech in genesis 4.
Why does the book of mormon warn against seeking after. And because the early lamanites kept the commandment against plural marriage, concubinage, and whoredoms, jacob told the nephites that the lord god will. May 22, 2019 lefteris tserkezis answer is probably the closest to my own understanding so far. Polygamy is the practice or custom of having more than one wife or husband at the same time. Aug 31, 2014 in conclusion, while the patriarchs of the book of genesis did practice adulterypolygamy, it doesnt mean that it was right in the eyes of god. May 30, 2019 as the book of mormon and the bible make clear, it is not intrinsically immoral to own or possess material wealth. Where the family idea and affection went, in such mixed condition, is evidenced by the unblushing sale, for slavery in egypt, of one of the brothers by the others genesis 37. The brother of nephi, usually referred to as the book of jacob, is the third of fifteen books in the book of mormon. Understanding jacobs teachings about plural marriage from a law. Nov 19, 2015 to the modern proponents of polygamy as opposed to biblical polygamy, which was entirely different, our forefather jacob is the shining example after all, he had four wives right. It is important for us to understand that at certain times in the history of the world, the lord has. If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her. The first instance of polygamy in the bible was that of lamech in genesis 4.
How jacobs teachings about pride and polygamy still apply. Jacob 2 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. For example, the stories of abraham, jacob, david and solomon show the problems that come with having more than one wife. As you read through the bible you immediately become aware that this is a book. Several prominent men in the old testament were polygamists. After becoming king and establishing jerusalem as his capital, he took him more concubines and wives, one of them being bathsheba, the mother of solomon 2 samuel 5. The conditions of jacob s marriages were such that it is hard to say whether any of his children were of any other than of polygamous origin genesis 35. Polygamy has been practiced by many cultures throughout history 3 there are numerous examples of polygamy among close followers, devotees, and the faithful to god in the old testament, but it is generally not accepted by most contemporary christians, though other christian groups permit the practice. The bibles answer for a time, god did permit a man to have more than one wife. In the book of genesis, gods plan for marriage is set forth poetically but. Morality and marriage in the book of mormon religious studies. The brother of nephi, usually referred to as the book of jacob, is the third of. The patriarchs abraham and jacob themselves had multiple wives and.
Indeed, the righteous lehi was a wealthy man 1 nephi 3. Abraham, jacob, david, solomon, and others all had multiple wives. Was polygamyadultery allowed in the book of genesis. The book of mormon contradicts itself and the bible. While i dont believe in the book of mormon, i do believe in grammar. Well, thats what i thought for many years as well and it was no wonder i was looking through a lens colored by modern movies, television shows, and ten. Just because the bible records an event that occurred does not mean that god approves of the event. In other words, when the lords commands it, polygamy is acceptable. Mar 10, 2020 neal rappleye, jacob on polygamy in historical context, studio et quoque fide march 9, 2020. He says this does not count as adultery because the other women isare your wifewives as well. May 24, 2011 historically, members of the latterday saints lds or mormons practiced polygamy, although the acceptance of the practice changed as new revelation was given to the prophets of the church. Jewish tradition normally emphasizes that polygamy was never looked upon as a good thing but was permitted as a concession to the realities of the world in which the ancient jews lived. According to the text, it was written by the ancient prophet jacob. During this time the church publicly taught against polygamy and denied practicing it, while church authorities were privately taking plural wives.
Jacob is not primarily to be blamed for the polygamy that brought trouble into his homelife and sowed the seeds of division and jealousy in the nation of the future. Abraham and hagar abraham took hagar as his wife after sarah, his first wife, could not conceive children. Behold, david and solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the lord. The question of polygamy is an interesting one in that most people today view polygamy as immoral while the bible nowhere explicitly condemns it. I was having a conversation with my boyfriend, and he claimed that nowhere in the bible does god condemn polygamy because all the great men of god in the bible had more than one wife and concubines. Nov 21, 2008 the book of mormon, translated in 1829, makes mention of polygamy and, while it seems to forbid polygamy, it recognizes that sometimes god commands men to practice polygamy. Did jacob practice polygamy in the old testament answers. What the book of mormon says about polygamy the annotated bible. Here a few observations about polygamy in the bible that will help you. Mitchell two sundays ago, the lesson in my lds priesthood meeting centered around a talk by becky craven in the april 2019 general conference entitled careful versus casual. In the book of jacob in the book of mormon, jacob preaches to the people following. The bible and the book of mormon teach that the marriage of one man to one woman is gods standard, except at specific periods when he has declared otherwise. I will share the way i interpret them, but i invite the reader to prayerfully read these verses and come to their own conclusions.
For an exploration into the biblical context of this passage, see brian j. It is the word by which a reason is introduced of something before advanced websters 1828 dictionary. Jacob, son of isaac and rebecca, twin brother of esau, husband of the sisters rachel and leah, and father of the twelve sons who became the ancestors of the twelve tribes of israel. For behold, as i inquired of the lord, thus came the word unto me, saying. The passage from the book of mormon condemns david and solomons practice and the practice of plural. A journal of latterday saint faith and scholarship 25 2017. Although much of israels history can be summed up in the rivalry of leah and racheljudah and josephyet it was not jacobs choice but labans fraud that introduced this cause. How saints and jacobs teachings can help contextualize. Mar 28, 2016 jacob 2 describes how the prophet jacob condemned materialism and sexual immorality, including unauthorized plural marriage. What biblical evidence is there for god allowing polygamy.
The first 10 chapters as well as 9 verses of the 11th chapter ge 1. Although monogamy was clearly gods intent genesis 2. Jacob 2 and 3, censorship, and mormonisms avoidance of stubborn book of mormon truth, part 1 august 7, 2019 august 8, 2019 m. Polygamy domestic unhappiness in jacob s family genesis 29. From polygamy to incest, confronting the old testaments. The book of mormon explains that only when god commands it can a man have more than one wife at a time. Feb 29, 2016 polygamy in the book of mormon the book of mormon is more specific about polygamy than the bible and i want to touch on these teachings. Any christian claiming polygamy is completely wrong and always has been is going to struggle with abraham one wife and at least one concubine and jacob two wives. Doctrine and covenants, section 101 removed in 1876.
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