The Bible Is Not Against Polygamy

The Bible Is Not Against Polygamy

For many Christians today, monogamy is considered the only acceptable form of marriage. Churches often teach that “God’s design” is one man and one woman, and anything different is sin. But when we look honestly at the Bible—without cultural filters—we discover something surprising: the Bible does not condemn polygamy. In fact, the Scriptures present a far more nuanced view of marriage than many modern believers realize.

This blog explores what the Bible actually says—and doesn’t say—about polygamy.

1. The Old Testament Is Full of Righteous Men With Multiple Wives

When we read the Bible without forcing modern assumptions onto it, we find that polygamy was a normal, acceptable practice in ancient Israel. Some of the most honored and righteous men in Scripture had more than one wife:

Abraham: The father of faith had Sarah and later Hagar, with God still blessing him.

Jacob (Israel): He had Leah, Rachel, and two concubines. These four women became the mothers of the twelve tribes of Israel—God’s chosen nation.

Moses: He had Zipporah and a Cushite wife (Numbers 12:1).

David: Described as “a man after God’s own heart,” David had at least 8 wives and 10 concubines (2 Samuel 15:20). —and God Himself said He gave David his wives (2 Samuel 12:8). God’s charge against David on the issue of Bathsheba is stunning: "I gave you all these wives (including Saul’s wives), and it wasn't enough, so you stole another man's." God even said that if David wanted more wives, He would have given him. God's problem wasn't that David had wives (plural), but that he took a wife who wasn't his. The rebuke makes no sense if polygamy itself were the sin.

Solomon: Solomon famously had 300 wives and 700 concubines. Solomon’s marriages eventually led him astray, the issue was idolatry, not polygamy itself. His problem was marrying non-Israelite women who eventually led him astray

The Parable of the 10 Virgins: In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable about ten virgins (bridesmaids) waiting for one bridegroom. Five are wise and enter the wedding feast; five are foolish and are locked out. Jesus uses this imagery—one groom, many "brides" (in the allegorical sense)—to teach about readiness for His return. He uses this common cultural backdrop, which was at ease with non-monogamous concepts, without ever stopping to condemn it.

2 . God's Own Metaphor: The Two 'Wives' of Yahweh

In a powerful and recurring allegory, God Himself uses the framework of a polygamous marriage to describe His covenant relationship with His people.

In Jeremiah 3 and Ezekiel 23, God portrays Himself as the husband to two "sister" wives:

Israel (the northern kingdom) and Judah (the southern kingdom)

Both chapters describe these "wives" as becoming unfaithful (committing adultery through idolatry). God speaks as the grieving, betrayed husband of them both. He never uses the plurality of his "wives" as the problem; the problem is their unfaithfulness. This is an astonishing choice of metaphor if the very concept of a plural marriage is inherently sinful. God chose this imagery to explain His covenant love and the pain of His people's betrayal.

3 . The Law of Moses: Regulation, Not Prohibition

If God had wanted to ban polygamy, the Law given to Moses was the perfect place to do it. He clearly banned adultery, incest, and bestiality. But polygamy?

The Law does the opposite: It provides rules to regulate it, proving it was a recognized, not-prohibited, practice.

Exodus 21:10: If a man takes an additional wife, he must not reduce the first wife’s food, clothing, or marital rights.

Deuteronomy 21:15–17: If a man has two wives (one loved, one unloved), he must give the firstborn son his proper inheritance, regardless of which wife is his mother.

These laws assume polygamy is a part of life in Israel. God’s concern, as always, is for justice and fairness within the family—not for its abolition.

4. The New Testament Does Not Condemn Polygamy Either

Many assume Jesus or Paul outlawed polygamy, but this is not what the Scriptures say.

Jesus on Marriage

When Jesus quoted Genesis (“the two shall become one flesh”), He was addressing divorce, not the number of wives allowed. He never said, “A man must only have one wife.” When Christians hear the phrase “the two shall become one flesh”, they conclude it means that 2 people only, can come together to form one flesh. But that is not true, according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:16, it is possible for multiple people to be joined together with one single body. So yes, a husband can be joined to become one flesh with more than one woman.

Paul’s Teaching

Paul required that church leaders (bishops, elders, and deacons) be “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6). This restriction for leaders would make no sense if every Christian was already restricted to monogamy. Leadership standards are always stricter than general standards.
For example, leaders must also not be “quarrelsome,” “lover of money,” or “new believers”—but these traits aren’t listed as universal sins. In the early church, many believers—including Gentile converts—were polygamous, and Paul never instructs them to separate or divorce additional wives.

5. Monogamy Is Cultural — Not Biblical

Historically, monogamy entered Christianity primarily through:

• Greco-Roman culture, which preferred monogamous marriage

• Later church traditions, especially under Roman Catholic influence

• Western social norms, which Christianity often adopted

This means modern Christianity’s opposition to polygamy comes more from cultural tradition than biblical instruction. Modern monogamy is a tradition—not a biblical command