2 Questions on Multiple Wives in the OT

#1: Lamech, Gen. 4:19

 

To my understanding multiple wives were never a kosher (ha!) thing in Israel. According to Deuteronomy 17:17 multiple wives are forbidden. I think it is a big middle east thing though and the Jewish nation adopted their view of women from other cultures. The NT passages about husband of one wife seemed to set the tone for the New Covenant provisions. Though reading the 1 & 2 letters to Corinth it seemed the cultural norm had switched to one wife at a time by Paul's time.

This whole multiple wives thing is a big sticky-wicket in the OT and NT times. Great thread!

 

That verse refers only to the king, if the Israelites decided to have one; and previous verses do not say to have a king or not to have a king, but do say he must be a countryman. And interestingly, it says this about "multiplying" wives, and also he must not increase his horses, gold, or silver. Did Dave and Sol never read this? Also, he must not direct the people to return to Egypt, as 'you' must never go back there. A King-- and Jesus being taken to Egypt by Joseph? ....

 

Lamech, the son of Cain the murderer. Lamech was also a murderer.

The taking of multiple wives, then, is attributed to those of the ungodly line of Cain.

This is contrasted with the godly line of Seth, who, I suppose, had only one wife (i.e. Abram, Moses)

So Moses, when writing Genesis under inspiration of Holy Spirit, is attempting to show the Hebrews how ungodly it is to have multiple wives.

peace to youraying:

 

An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,

Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently.
1 Timothy 3:2, 12 HCSB

The Greek literally reads, "a one woman man".

Rob