Polygomy

This is a holder page. Because of recent issues in Israel, Texas, and other locations some have questions regarding this topic from a Biblical/Historical perspective. Some want to know what the official religious Jewish position is. We will endeavor to write about this in an open and objective perspective. This article is still being developed.

To our knowledge there are no UNJS affiliated congregations with polygimous marriages and no Netzari rabbi is performing such unions.

From a recent email:

According to the ABD Pro software, there were 17 occurrences expected statistically, and 21 were found. The third minimal skip had the extension "Polygamy is in man", and one of its letters was found in the term "concubines" in 2 Samuel 20:3:

"And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and provided them with sustenance, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, in widowhood, with their husband alive."

Which is the Hebrew word used here (Pilegesh):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygamy#Biblical_practice

Here are all the Biblical references about Polygamy (from "Nave's Topical Bible"):

Forbidden: Deu 17:17; Lev 18:18; Mal 2:14-15; Mat 19:4-5; Mar 10:2-8; 1Ti 3:2; 1Ti 3:12; Tit 1:6

Authorized: 2Sa 12:8

Tolerated: Exo 21:10; 1Sa 1:2; 2Ch 24:3

Practiced:

• General references Job 27:15
• By Lamech Gen 4:19
• By Abraham Gen 16
• By Esau Gen 26:34; Gen 28:9
• By Jacob Gen 29:30
• By Ashur 1Ch 4:5
• By Gideon Jdg 8:30
• By Elkanah 1Sa 1:2
• By David 1Sa 25:39-44; 2Sa 3:2-5; 2Sa 5:13; 1Ch 14:3
• By Solomon 1Ki 11:1-8
• By Rehoboam 2Ch 11:18-23
• By Abijah 2Ch 13:21
• By Jehoram 2Ch 21:14
• By Joash 2Ch 24:3
• By Ahab 2Ki 10:1
• By Jehoiachin 2Ki 24:15
• By Belshazzar Dan 5:2; 1 Chr 2-8
• By Hosea Hos 3:1-2

Mosaic law respecting the firstborn in Deu 21:15-17

Sought by women Isa 4:1

The evil effects of:

Husband's favoritism in:

• General references Deu 21:15-17
• Jacob's Gen 29:30; Gen 30:15
• Elkanah's 1Sa 1:5
• Rehoboam's 2Ch 11:21

Domestic infelicity:

• In Abraham's family Gen 16; Gen 21:9-16
• In Jacob's family Gen 29:30-34; Gen 30:1-23
• In Elkanah's family 1Sa 1:4-7
• Upon Solomon 1Ki 11:4-8