The Bible contains many references to concubines, particularly in the Old Testament. These women held a unique social and legal status, often serving as secondary wives or servants in a patriarchal society. While modern readers may find the concept troubling, understanding the historical and cultural context helps shed light on biblical teachings about marriage, relationships, and God’s ultimate plan for humanity.
What Is a Concubine in the Bible?
A concubine was a woman who lived with a man and had a recognized relationship with him but lacked the full status of a wife. Concubines were often servants or women taken as secondary wives, usually in situations where bearing children was a primary concern. They had some level of protection and provision, but their status was not equal to that of a primary wife.
Reasons Concubines Were Taken in Biblical Times
- Barrenness of the Wife – If a man's wife could not conceive, he might take a concubine to bear children.
- Political Alliances – Kings often had concubines to strengthen ties between nations.
- Economic or Social Reasons – Some women became concubines to secure provision and protection.
Despite these reasons, God's original design for marriage, as seen in Genesis 2:24, was for one man and one woman to be united as one flesh.
Notable Bible Verses About Concubines
Several passages mention concubines, showing their roles and the consequences of polygamous relationships.
1. Abraham and Hagar
- Genesis 16:3 – “So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife.”
- Hagar was a servant, and Sarah gave her to Abraham as a concubine. This led to tension and conflict within the family.
2. Jacob and His Concubines
- Genesis 30:4 – “So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife. Jacob slept with her.”
- Genesis 30:9 – “When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife.”
- Jacob had children with both Bilhah and Zilpah, who were originally servants of Rachel and Leah.
3. King David and His Concubines
- 2 Samuel 5:13 – “After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.”
- David’s concubines were part of his royal household, but later in life, this led to political conflict.
4. King Solomon’s Many Wives and Concubines
- 1 Kings 11:3 – “He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray.”
- Solomon’s many relationships caused spiritual downfall as his foreign wives and concubines influenced him to worship other gods.
5. The Levite’s Concubine
- Judges 19:1-30 – This tragic story describes a Levite’s concubine who suffered abuse and ultimately died, highlighting the moral decline during the time of the judges.
Does the Bible Condone Having Concubines?
The Bible records the existence of concubines but does not explicitly condone or encourage the practice. Many stories involving concubines reveal negative consequences: jealousy, division, and suffering. While polygamy and concubinage were common in ancient cultures, they were never part of God’s ideal plan.
God’s Design for Marriage
- Genesis 2:24 – “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
- Matthew 19:5-6 – Jesus reaffirms God’s intention for marriage, emphasizing a union between one man and one woman.
What Can We Learn from These Verses?
- Human choices often lead to conflict – Many biblical figures struggled with family strife due to polygamous relationships.
- God’s grace extends to all – Despite human failures, God continued to work through these situations for His greater plan.
- Faithfulness in marriage is God’s design – The New Testament emphasizes love, commitment, and faithfulness in marriage.
Though the practice of taking concubines existed in biblical times, Scripture ultimately points toward a higher standard of love and commitment in marriage.
