If you’ve read your Bible at all, you have noticed something called polygamy or multiple spouses. Have you ever wondered, like me, why that rarely seems to also include multiple husbands -polyandry? Maybe that’s a rabbit trail.

Was polygamy simply cultural? Was it expected among God’s children? Was it regulated? After all, King Solomon had 700 wives, not to mention concubines.

What follows are scriptural answers to this question (if it ever comes up with your zealous neighbors, family members or workmates:).

• God’s word never hides things as it gives the raw truth of both the positive and the negative. I do not see the OT scriptures endorsing polygamy, but from the beginning (a creation act of God) revealed that marriage was between one man and one woman. (Genesis 2:4) God commanded kings to not marry multiple wives. (Deuteronomy 17:17) It was not endorsed by God or His scripture, but rather a hardness of man’s own heart and perhaps more of a cultural concession. Monogamy is God’s command from creation for the marriage union.
• God gave Adam one wife.
• The overall result of polygamy in Israel was rivalry (e.g., Sarah and Hagar), dysfunction, and a drawing away from God toward foreign idols. See I Kings 11:3, 4.
• In citing OT scriptures to justify polygamy, one must ignore the NT, Jesus’ words, and literally say that the OT overrides the NT definition of marriage as monogamous. 
• Monogamy was Jesus’ prescription for marriage as well. See Matthew 19:4-6.
• Paul told us that leaders/elders are to be the faithful husband of one wife. (Titus 1:6; I Tim 3:2)
• Marriage reflects Christ and His bride, a relationship with one bride. (Ephesians 5:31, 32)

Practically in a counseling format

• The practice of polygamy is illegal in the United States.
• To marry another is to break covenant with your first wife.
• To marry another is to disregard and disobey your wedding vows.
• To marry a second wife is to say to your present wife, “You are not enough.”
• You are removing your wife’s security in marriage oneness from her.
• You are bringing/inviting a spirit of confusion and dysfunction into your marriage and to your children.

So, the next time the subject of polygamy comes up, or you see some weird advertisement for another senseless “reality” show, you’ll have some biblical responses to counteract the lies with.

Rejoice in the wife of your youth… (Proverbs 5:18)