According to Smith’s Bible Dictionary, a concubine would usually be either:
- A Hebrew girl sold by her father ( Exodus 21:7)
- A Gentile captive taken in war ( Deuteronomy 21:10-14)
- A purchased foreign slave
- A Canaanite woman, bonded or free
Why were concubines allowed according to the Bible?
The answer is No. We are not allowed to have concubines. It is called adultery as per Bible. Even though in old testament, Kings had concubines, example, King Solomon had 200 plus wives and 'n' number of concubines, but it was granted because People of old testament were so hard hearted that they did not abide by what God asked them to.
Does the Bible endorse the use of concubines?
The Bible is very accepting of concubines, although the example of King Solomon is a warning in case the concubines follow other gods. Ancient Israelites and Jews who were wealthy enough could have multiple wives, and in fact European Jews were permitted to be polygamous until around 1000 CE.
What is the definition of a concubine in the Bible?
In the Bible, a concubine was a woman acquired by a man as a secondary wife. Her purpose was to provide a male heir in the case of a barren wife, to provide more children in general to enhance the family’s workforce and wealth, and to satisfy the man’s sexual desires.
Did Jesus have concubines?
Jesus' interactions with women are an important element in the theological debate about Christianity and women.Women are prominent in the story of Christ Jesus.He was born of a woman, had numerous interactions with women, and was seen first by women after his resurrection.He commissioned the women to go and tell his disciples that he is risen, which is the essential message of Christianity.
What was the purpose of having concubines?
The main functions of concubinage for men was for pleasure and producing additional heirs, whereas for women the relationship could provide financial security. Children of concubines had lower rights in account to inheritance, which was regulated by the Dishu system.
Do concubines still exist?
According to estimates, there are approximately 100 000 “kept women” in Guangdong province alone. The tradition of the concubine may be the subject of many a male fantasy, but for the young girls, it means living in seclusion, waiting on and for the man, in a state of total dependence.
What's a concubine wife?
Definition of concubine : a woman with whom a man cohabits without being married: such as. a : one having a recognized social status in a household below that of a wife.
What is a modern day concubine?
In modern usage, the term concubine often denotes the status of a quasi-wife who is not legally married to a man with whom she lives. The man (but not the woman) may or may not be in an ongoing legal marriage with another person.
How were concubines chosen?
The empress was always selected from the family of a high-ranking official, but other concubines were selected from the general population, and the criteria ranged from emperor to emperor. During the Ming Dynasty, for example, no household was exempt from the process.
Is it a sin to marry two wives in the Bible?
"In the case of polygamy, there is a universal standard – it is understood to be a sin, therefore polygamists are not admitted to positions of leadership including Holy Orders, nor after acceptance of the Gospel can a convert take another wife, nor, in some areas, are they admitted to Holy Communion."
Did Jesus have a wife?
"Christian tradition has long held that Jesus was not married, even though no reliable historical evidence exists to support that claim," King said in a press release.
Can concubines be male?
Concubine is interchangeable. Given the -one suffix would denote a male and concubone is not a word, concubine serves for both sexes.
What is a concubine in the Bible?
In the Bible, a concubine is a woman who lives with a man as if she were a wife, but without having the same status as a wife. Concubines in the patriarchal age and beyond held an inferior rank—they were “secondary” wives. A concubine could not marry her master because of her slave status, although, for her, the relationship was exclusive and ongoing. Early on, it seems that concubines were used to bear children for men whose wives were barren (see Genesis 16:1–4 ). Later, it seems that concubines were kept simply for sexual pleasure (see 2 Chronicles 11:21 ). Concubines in Israel possessed some of the same rights as legitimate wives, without the same respect.
Why did God allow the sin of concubinage?
It appears God allowed the sin of concubinage, in part, to provide for women in need, although it was certainly not an ideal situation. Sin is never ideal. Christians should be reminded that, just because God allows a sin for a time, it does not mean God is pleased with it. Many Bible narratives teach that God can take what some people mean ...
Why couldn't a concubine marry her master?
A concubine could not marry her master because of her slave status, although, for her, the relationship was exclusive and ongoing. Early on, it seems that concubines were used to bear children for men whose wives were barren (see Genesis 16:1–4 ).
How many concubines did King David have?
As a matter of fact, a study of the lives of men like King David and King Solomon (who had 300 concubines; 1 Kings 11:3) reveals that many of their problems stemmed from polygamous relationships ( 2 Samuel 11:2-4 ). The Bible never explains why God allowed men to have concubines.
Why did Jesus allow divorce?
Jesus said God allowed divorce because of the hardness of men’s hearts ( Matthew 19:8 ). We can assume the same hardness of heart led to polygamy and concubinage.
Did concubines have the same rights as wives?
Concubines in Israel possessed some of the same rights as legitimate wives, without the same respect. Although it’s true the Bible nowhere explicitly condemns concubinage, a condemnation can be found implicitly from the beginning of time.
Why was it popular?
In the ancient world, the ability to support more than one wife or to possess both wives and concubines was a status symbol. Such an arrangement advertised not only a man's wealth but also was a sign of his virility, power and importance in society.
Reluctant laws
God's perfect will is that a man have only one mate at a time (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:1 - 9). The Lord, however, recognized the entrenched practice of possessing multiple women was due to the hardness of people's hearts.
Treatment
The treatment of a concubine and their offspring varied depending on a variety of circumstances. For example, Abraham was able to dismiss Hagar at the behest of Sarah his wife. Hagar's son Ishmael, produced with Abraham, was considered inferior to Isaac (Genesis 17:18 - 21, 21:9 - 14).
Who said "Go in unto thy father's concubines"?
And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
How many queens are there in the Bible?
There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.
Who did Rehoboam love?
And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)
What does "concubine" mean?
CONCUBINE, marital companion of inferior status to a wife.
Is concubinage in the Talmud?
There is no evidence of actual concubinage in the Talmud, nor is there any evidence of it in practice during the Middle Ages. In the responsa of *Asher b. Jehiel (no. 32:1) there is a reference to a concubine, but it seems to be merely the case of a man cohabiting with a woman without going through a marriage ceremony with her, and not to a formal concubine. In the Middle Ages concubinage was formally forbidden by the rabbis as immoral, only one authority, Jacob *Emden (responsum no. 15) expressing the opinion that it should be permitted.
Is it forbidden to take a concubine?
Since more recent times it is unanimously accepted that the taking of a concubine is prohibited: "At the present time a woman is permitted to no man except through kiddushin, ḥuppah, sheva berakhot, and ketubbah " (Radbaz, Resp., vol. 4, no. 225; vol. 7, no. 33). This applies even more in the case of a married man, in the same way as he is prohibited from taking an additional wife (see *Bigamy ), both for the protection of his wife and because his taking a concubine – since he is aware that he must not take an additional wife – can only be for the purpose of prostituting, and this is forbidden in the opinion of all the posekim (Rashba, Resp., vol. 4, no. 314; Oẓar ha-Posekim, EH 1, n. 4; 26, n. 5).
Is it legal to take a concubine?
Others are of the opinion that although it is not legally prohibited, one should refrain from taking a concubine, and they caution against her, "lest knowledge of the permissibility encourage licentiousness and sexual relations with her at a time when she is sexually unclean" ( Sefer Teshuvot ha-Rashba ha-Meyuḥasot le-ha-Ramban, no. 284). The majority of the posekim, however, are of the opinion that it is forbidden to take a concubine, although they differ as to the substantive nature of the prohibition. Some are of the opinion that taking a concubine is a transgression of a prohibition of the pentateuchal law, based on the negative command: "There shall be no harlot of the daughters of Israel" (Deut. 23:18), to be punished with lashes (Rema to EH 26:1 in the name of Maimonides; Rosh, and Tur), while others expressed the opinion that the prohibition stems from a positive command of the pentateuchal law, the Torah saying, "when a man takes a wife" (Deut. 24:1) – i.e., he should take her by way of kiddushin. According to another view, the prohibition is rabbinical law only. (On the different views and their reasons, see Oẓar ha-Posekim, EH 26:3–8.) All the foregoing applies only to a woman who is unmarried; a married woman is by pentateuchal law at all times prohibited to have sexual relations with any man but her husband ( issur eshet ish; see Prohibited *Marriages ; *Bigamy ; *Marriage ).
Is concubine in the Bible?
The legal formalities, if any, are not described in the Bible. A concubine did not always reside in her husband's home (Judg. 8:31), but such was not the general rule (Judg. 19–20). Her spouse was called the son-inlaw ( ḥatan) of her father, who was the father-in-law ( ḥoten ).
Is concubinage a matter of marriage?
Since the question of concubinage touches on the issue of the requirements necessary for conferring on a woman the status of a wife, the question is a matter of "marriage" – within the meaning of the Rabbinical Courts Jurisdiction (Marriage and Divorce) Law, no. 64 of 5713/1953 – and therefore in the case of Jews who are citizens of the State of Israel, governed by Jewish law (sec. 1). However, legislation enacted for the first time after the creation of the state has given recognition to the concept of the "common law wife," i.e. a woman living together with a man to whom she is not married, but is so regarded (erroneously) by the public ( yedu'ah ba-ẓibbur keishto) and in some laws the same applies, vice versa, to such a "husband" – granting her certain rights, mainly with regard to pension and tenant's protection. According to decisions of the courts, such a woman is entitled to the said rights even if she is lawfully married to another man ( CA 284/61, in PD, 16 (1962), 102–12). As to the actual definition of the term "a woman known to the public as his wife" and the modes of proving the necessary facts, widely differing opinions have been expressed in decisions of the courts. It is generally accepted, however, that the said legislation does not entail any change in the personal status of the woman, whose position is to some extent similar to that of a concubine.
Does the prohibition against concubinage impair the personal status of children born of the union?
Moreover, since the prohibition against concubinage is intended solely against the concubine's connection with her spouse, this fact alone and as such does not impair the personal status of children born of the union, nor their rights of inheritance according to law (Rashba, Resp. vol. 4, no. 314).
Who said "Go in to your father's concubines"?
Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father. The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened.” So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
Who took another wife in the Bible?
Now Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. Judges 19:1-4. Now it came about in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite staying in the remote part of the hill country of Ephraim, who took a concubine for himself from Bethlehem in Judah.
What did Belshazzar order to bring to the temple?
When Belshazzar tasted the wine, he gave orders to bring the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken out of the temple, ...
What is the birthright in the Bible?
Verse Concepts. Birthrights. Firstborn Sons. Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. 2 Samuel 3:7.
Who said let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah?
So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as a wife.” King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “And why are you asking Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him also the kingdom—for he is my older brother—even for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah!”
Who was Timna in the Bible?
Timna was a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz. These are the sons of Esau’s wife Adah.
Where in the Bible does it say that Abraham gave all he had to Isaac?
Genesis 25:5-6. Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac; but to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the east. Judges 9:18. Verse Concepts.
What is a concubine?
Today’s definition of a concubine is a mistress. A woman who is not married to a man and provides him sexual activity . Webster-Merriam dictionary defines concubine as,
What is the father of the concubine called?
The concubine’s father is called father-in-law three times (Judges 19:4, 7, 9). That means the Levite and the concubine were husband and wife. They were married. Harris, Archer and Waltke summarize what a concubine is with the following helpful explanation of a concubine.
What does Judges 19:1 mean?
Judges 19 helps us understand what was a concubine in the Old Testament times. For example, Judges 19:1 tells us that a certain Levite “took a concubine” to himself; in verse 3 we discover that he is called her husband. That is, they were married.
How many concubines did Solomon have?
The Hebrew word for concubine and concubines occurs forty times in the Old Testament. In 1 Kings 11:3 we are told that King Solomon had three hundred concubines. The word occurs eleven times in Judges 19-21 in reference to a concubine that was owned by a Levite.
Where did the concubine go to play the harlot against him?
That is, they were married. But his concubine played the harlot against him, and she went away from him to her father’s house in Bethlehem in Judah, and was there for a period of four months. Then her husband arose and went after her to speak tenderly to her in order to bring her back . . . Judges 11:2-3a (NASB)
Is a concubine a wife?
Hebrew equivalent of Greek pallakis and Latin pellex. A concubine was a true wife, though of secondary rank. This is indicated, for example, by the references to a concubine’s “husband” (Jud 19:3), the “father-in-law” (Jud 19:4), “son-in-law” (Jud 19:5). Thus, the concubine was not a kept mistress, and did not cohabit with a man unless married to him. The institution itself is an offshoot of polygamy. [1]
How many concubines did Solomon have?
Mind you Solomon is said to have had 1,000 concubines and I feel sorry for the last one he got to…
How many neighbors must a man veil his concubine?
If a man wants to veil his concubine, he must assemble five or six of his neighbors and veil her in front of them, and say, “She is my wife
What does the Bible say about treating slaves?
Thus, when it tells how to treat slaves, it is not advocating slavery, but rather saying, “in a land where slavery is allowed, here is how to ethically treat them if you have them.” In the case of concubines, it says, “this is how to treat them if you have them.”
What happens when a man sells his daughter as a slave?
When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her. If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.
Why should I emphasize the rules in the Bible?
I should emphasize “rules”, however, because too many also assume the Bible’s “morality” also changed which is completely false. The same Jesus who believed in the Torah that had no problem in David’s time of him having multiple wives also supported His disciples only having 1 wife from that moment onward.
When did Jews become polygamous?
Ancient Israelites and Jews who were wealthy enough could have multiple wives, and in fact European Jews were permitted to be polygamous until around 1000 CE. The modern state of Israel grandfathered polygamy for Jewish immigrants from elsewhere in the Middles East if they already had multiple wives at the time of independence.
Who was Rachel's slave in Genesis 29?
In Genesis 29:29 Rachel is given a slave girl named Bilhah. Later on, it specifically calls Bilhah a concubine “pilagesh” in Hebrew (Genesis 37).
Who kept concubines in the Bible?
Concubines appeared in the Bible as well. The Israelites often kept concubines in addition to their wives. Wives had dowries but concubines did not and this was the chief method of distinguishing between the two social positions. One of the most famous keepers of concubines in the Bible was King Solomon (1011 – 931 BC), who was said to have three hundred concubines in addition to his seven hundred wives. While concubinage is not acceptable in Christianity today, some Bible commentators have suggested that God allowed men to have more than one wife or several concubines during the period from the Great Flood until the Old Covenant in order to build up the world's population.
What is a concubine in Judaism?
In Judaism, concubines are referred to by the Hebrew term pilegesh meaning "a mistress staying in house". According to the Babylonian Talmud, the difference between a concubine and a full wife was that the latter received a marriage contract and her marriage was preceded by a formal betrothal.
How many wives did Muhammad have?
The historian Al-Tabari calculated that the Prophet Muhammad married a total of fifteen women, though only ever eleven at one time, and had at least four concubines. All of Muhammad’s concubines were his slaves. According to records, Muhammad used to visit all eleven of his wives in one night.
Why did the concubines have to be sold?
In many stories, the concubines were taken by force and sold into their life but this was not always the case. It was not uncommon in some cultures for poorer families to present their daughters to a ruler in order to see if they would be chosen as a concubine. This often served the dual purpose of getting rid of an extra mouth to feed as well as giving their daughter a life of comfort, privilege and protection.
How many wives did Muhammad visit in one night?
According to records, Muhammad used to visit all eleven of his wives in one night. The Ming Dynasty Concubines: A Life of Abuse, Torture and Murder for Thousands of Women. When Concubines Fought Back: The Plot to Eliminate a Mad and Sadistic Emperor.
What was the law in Ancient Greece that kept slaves?
Law prescribed that a man could kill another man caught attempting a relationship with his concubine for the production of free children, which suggests that a concubine's children were not granted citizenship.
Why did people have concubines?
Concubines normally served a dual purpose – to increase a man’s prestige through his capacity to produce children and, of course, limitless opportunities to indulge in sexual desires . Most people associate concubines with ancient China where Emperors were known to have kept thousands of concubines, however, the practice of taking concubines is certainly not exclusive to China.
