The Bible includes accounts of men taking concubines, but it is important to note that these instances are descriptive rather than prescriptive. A concubine was a woman in a recognized but lower-status relationship with a man, often for producing heirs or forming alliances in ancient cultures. While concubinage was a common practice in biblical times, it was not part of God’s original design for marriage, as outlined in Genesis 2:24:
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
The Bible does not command or encourage men to take concubines; instead, it records these practices as cultural norms of the time. Below are examples and explanations of where concubinage appears in the Bible.
Examples of Concubinage in the Bible
Abraham and Hagar (Genesis 16:1-4)
- “Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, ‘The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.’”
- Abraham’s wife, Sarah, encouraged him to take Hagar as a concubine to have a child, as Sarah was barren. Hagar bore Ishmael, but this led to tension and conflict between Sarah and Hagar.
Jacob and His Wives’ Maidservants (Genesis 30:3-9)
- Jacob had children with Bilhah (Rachel’s maidservant) and Zilpah (Leah’s maidservant). These women were treated as concubines.
- “Then Rachel said, ‘Here is Bilhah, my servant. Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and I too can build a family through her.’”
Gideon and His Concubine (Judges 8:30-31)
- “He had seventy sons of his own, for he had many wives. His concubine, who lived in Shechem, also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelek.”
- Gideon had both wives and concubines, and one of his concubines bore Abimelek, who later caused significant strife.
Saul and His Concubine (2 Samuel 3:7)
- King Saul had at least one concubine, Rizpah.
- “Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, ‘Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?’”
David and His Concubines (2 Samuel 5:13; 2 Samuel 15:16)
- David had concubines in addition to his wives.
- “After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.”
- During Absalom’s rebellion, David’s concubines were publicly humiliated (2 Samuel 16:21-22), reflecting the vulnerability of such relationships.
Solomon’s Many Concubines (1 Kings 11:3)
- “He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray.”
- Solomon’s concubines and wives, many of whom were foreign, contributed to his spiritual downfall as they led him to worship other gods.
God’s Design for Marriage
While the Bible describes concubinage in many instances, it does not promote or endorse it as God’s intention for relationships. From the beginning, God established marriage as a monogamous covenant between one man and one woman.
- Genesis 2:24: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
- This verse reflects God’s original design for marriage—a union between one man and one woman.
- Matthew 19:4-6: Jesus reaffirmed this design, saying:
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Why Was Concubinage Practiced?
Concubinage was a cultural practice in ancient times, often serving specific purposes:
- Producing Heirs: In societies where a wife could not bear children, concubines were sometimes used to ensure the continuation of a family line.
- Political Alliances: Marriages and concubinage were sometimes used to solidify treaties or alliances between tribes or nations.
- Wealth and Status: A man’s ability to support multiple wives or concubines was often seen as a sign of wealth and power.
While the Bible acknowledges these practices, it also reveals the problems they caused, such as jealousy, rivalry, and spiritual compromise.
Consequences of Taking Concubines
The Bible often highlights the negative outcomes of concubinage, reinforcing that it is not part of God’s ideal plan.
- Conflict and Jealousy:
- Sarah and Hagar’s relationship became strained after Hagar conceived Ishmael (Genesis 16:4-6).
- Leah and Rachel competed for Jacob’s affection, leading to tension within their family (Genesis 30:1-2).
- Family Dysfunction:
- Abimelek, the son of Gideon’s concubine, caused chaos when he declared himself king and murdered his seventy brothers (Judges 9).
- Spiritual Downfall:
- Solomon’s wives and concubines led him away from God, resulting in idol worship and a divided kingdom (1 Kings 11:4).
What Does the New Testament Say About Marriage?
The New Testament consistently upholds monogamy as God’s standard for marriage and does not mention concubinage as an acceptable practice for Christians.
- 1 Timothy 3:2:
- “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.”
- Church leaders are specifically instructed to have only one wife, reflecting the ideal for all believers.
- Ephesians 5:31-33:
- Paul describes marriage as a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the church:
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
- Paul describes marriage as a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the church:
Conclusion: Does the Bible Tell a Man to Take a Concubine?
The Bible records instances of men taking concubines, but these accounts are descriptive rather than prescriptive. Concubinage was a cultural norm in ancient times, but it often led to jealousy, conflict, and spiritual compromise. God’s original design for marriage, as revealed in Genesis 2:24 and reaffirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6, is a monogamous union between one man and one woman.
For Christians, the New Testament provides clear guidance that aligns with God’s design for marriage, emphasizing faithfulness, unity, and love. While the Bible acknowledges concubinage as part of its historical context, it does not present it as a model for relationships today. Instead, believers are called to honor God’s intention for marriage and avoid practices that deviate from His ideal.