Understanding Concubinage and Polygamy in the Old Testament

Concubinage and polygamy were never part of God’s original, divine arrangement for marriage and cannot be justified as righteous acts, though they were tolerated due to the "hardness of heart" prevalent in human history Matthew 19:8BHOTV5 100.2+1. While these practices became widespread after the Fall, they consistently resulted in misery, family discord, and spiritual declinePP 91.3+2.

The Original Divine Standard

God established the standard for marriage at creation, long before the introduction of concubinage.

• Monogamy by Design: In the beginning, the Creator gave Adam only one wife, establishing the order for all future generations Genesis 2:21-24PP 91.3+1.

• A Symbol of Union: Marriage was designed to represent the sacred and tender union between Christ and His people Isaiah 54:4-5+1ARSH February 14, 1856, page 157.5+1.

• The Equality of Rights: True marriage is built on the principle that every man should have his own wife and every woman her own husband 1 Corinthians 7:2AMS September 4, 1890, page 274.4.

The Consequences of Departure

The Bible record does not sanction these practices but rather illustrates the "bitter fruit" they produced in the lives of those who practiced them.

• Abraham and Hagar: Abraham’s marriage to Hagar was a failure of faith that led to the marring of his domestic peace and caused evil for future generations Genesis 16:1-16DG 27.1+1.

• Jacob’s Household: Although Jacob was led into polygamy through Laban’s artifice, the resulting jealousy between Leah and Rachel confused the family relation and increased unhappiness Genesis 29:23-301BC 1095.5+1.

• The Fall of Solomon: Solomon’s vast harem was a primary cause of his spiritual decline, leading him to countenance idolatry and deteriorate his once noble character 1 Kings 11:3BHOTV5 100.2+1.

• David’s Trials: The troubles in David’s family and the sins that gave occasion for skeptics to blaspheme were traced directly to his practice of polygamyTSB 94.2+2.

The Purpose of the Gospel

The mission of Christianity and the gospel is to restore marriage to its original purity and beauty.

• Restoration to Perfection: Christ restored the sacred institution of marriage to its first perfection by banishing polygamy and ranking concubinage with the sins of adultery Matthew 19:4-6ETI Concubine.3+1.

• A Higher Law: While civil laws or ancient customs may have permitted multiple partners, the "higher law" of God recognizes only the original marriage vowAH 344.2+1.

• Moral Preservation: Polygamy is considered a violation of the law of God that defaces His image in man and opens the door to viceDG 27.1+1.

Lessons for Today

The inclusion of these accounts in Old Testament history serves as a warning rather than an endorsement.

• Natural Judgment: Those who infringed upon the primitive divine order brought national and personal judgment upon themselves as a consequence of their "hardness of heart"BHOTV5 100.2.

• Respect for Rights: God directed Abraham to send away Hagar to teach that the rights and happiness of the first and only true marriage relation must be respected, even at great sacrifice Genesis 25:6SR 80.2.

• Spiritual Growth: We are encouraged to study these scriptures to understand the conflict between good and evil and to refine our characters by following God's revealed will2MCP 418.3+1.