#1: Who was the first in the OT to have more than 1 wife simultaneously? (this is probably easy - was it Jacob with Leah and Rachel or was it before then?)
#2: When and why did the Jewish custom of having more than 1 wife at the same time stop so that in the NT there was only 1 wife again?
Am wondering about the history, not whether it is right or wrong. Although, I may comment later when I'm not so tired. But does anyone know the Jewish/Christian history about question #1 and #2? Thanks.
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?
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