What Does the Bible Say About Polygamy?

Written By Mary Carter

Mary is a devoted Bible student who loves sharing her knowledge, inspiring others with faith-filled insights, and deepening spiritual understanding through writing.

Polygamy—the practice of having multiple spouses—has existed for centuries.

It is found in many ancient cultures and even appears in the Bible.

Some people wonder if this means that God approves of polygamy.

Others question why so many biblical figures had multiple wives.

Does the Bible promote or condemn polygamy?

To understand God’s perspective, we must look at both the Old and New Testaments and see how God designed marriage from the very beginning.

God’s Original Design for Marriage

To understand marriage, we must start with creation.

When God made the first human relationship, He created one man and one woman.

Genesis 2:24 says, “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

This verse sets the foundation for marriage.

It does not say “wives” but “wife.”

God designed marriage to be a union between one man and one woman.

This is the only relationship described as “one flesh,” a deep and sacred bond.

Jesus later affirmed this design.

In Matthew 19:4-6, He said, “Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?

So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Jesus pointed back to Genesis, confirming that marriage was meant to be monogamous.

God’s perfect plan was one man, one woman, for life.

Polygamy in the Old Testament

Even though God designed marriage as a union between one man and one woman, the Old Testament records many instances of polygamy.

Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon, and other biblical figures had multiple wives.

Why did God allow this?

First, it is important to understand that just because something is in the Bible does not mean God approves of it.

The Bible records many sins, not to encourage them, but to show the consequences of human choices.

Polygamy often led to jealousy, conflict, and family struggles.

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Consider Abraham.

God promised him a son through his wife, Sarah.

But when Sarah became impatient, she told Abraham to take her servant, Hagar, as another wife (Genesis 16:1-4).

This decision led to deep pain.

Hagar and Sarah became bitter rivals, and their descendants—Isaac and Ishmael—became enemies.

Another example is Jacob.

He loved Rachel, but he was tricked into marrying her sister, Leah.

This led to years of competition between the two sisters (Genesis 29:30-31).

Their struggle caused division in Jacob’s family.

Perhaps the most extreme case is King Solomon.

He had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3).

His many marriages led him away from God.

1 Kings 11:4 says, “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God.”

Every example of polygamy in the Bible comes with negative consequences.

There is no story where polygamy led to peace and happiness.

Instead, it brought rivalry, pain, and even destruction.

Did God Command or Just Permit Polygamy?

Some argue that because polygamy was common in the Old Testament, God must have approved of it.

However, there is a difference between what God allows and what He commands.

In Deuteronomy 17:17, God gave instructions for future kings: “He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray.”

This warning shows that God never intended for polygamy to be normal or encouraged.

Additionally, while some Old Testament laws regulated polygamy, they did not promote it.

For example, Exodus 21:10 states that if a man takes another wife, he must still provide for the first wife.

This law did not encourage polygamy but sought to protect women who were caught in this cultural practice.

God’s regulations on polygamy were meant to limit the damage it caused, not to endorse it.

Polygamy in the New Testament

The New Testament brings a clearer picture of God’s plan for marriage.

Nowhere in the New Testament is polygamy encouraged or practiced by the followers of Christ.

Instead, marriage is consistently described as being between one man and one woman.

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1 Timothy 3:2 states that a church leader “must be the husband of but one wife.”

Some might argue that this requirement only applies to church leaders, but it reflects God’s expectation for all believers.

Ephesians 5:31-33 also reinforces monogamy, saying, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

Paul then compares marriage to Christ and the Church, emphasizing faithfulness, love, and unity.

The example of Christ and the Church is powerful.

Jesus has only one bride—the Church (Revelation 19:7).

If marriage is meant to reflect Christ’s love, then it makes sense that it should be a committed, exclusive relationship between one man and one woman.

Why Did Polygamy Decline in Christianity?

As Christianity spread, polygamy became less common.

This was largely because of the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

The early Church emphasized God’s original design for marriage, and believers were called to live differently from the world around them.

Marriage became a picture of Christ’s love for the Church—a love that is faithful and exclusive.

Over time, Christian communities moved away from polygamy and embraced monogamous marriage as the biblical standard.

This is why most Christian societies today view polygamy as outside of God’s design.

The Problems with Polygamy Today

Even though polygamy is rare in most Christian cultures, it still exists in some parts of the world.

Some argue that polygamy is acceptable if all parties agree to it.

However, even today, polygamy creates serious issues.

Studies show that polygamous marriages often lead to jealousy, division, and emotional harm.

It also raises concerns about fairness, as women in polygamous relationships often face inequality.

God designed marriage to be a relationship of love, unity, and mutual care.

Polygamy disrupts this balance.

Even if it is legal in some places, it does not reflect the biblical model of marriage.

What About Cultures That Accept Polygamy?

In some cultures, polygamy is widely accepted.

What happens when a polygamous man becomes a Christian?

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Should he divorce his wives?

This is a challenging question, but the Bible offers wisdom.

When Paul preached in cultures that practiced polygamy, he did not tell men to leave their wives.

However, as Christian communities formed, monogamy became the expectation.

The best approach is to follow biblical principles with grace and wisdom.

If a man with multiple wives becomes a Christian, he should provide for them, but he should not take additional wives.

Future generations should be taught God’s design for marriage so that the practice does not continue.

God’s desire is not to break families apart but to guide people toward His perfect plan.

What Should Christians Do Today?

For modern Christians, the Bible’s teaching is clear—God’s design for marriage is monogamy.

While polygamy was permitted in certain Old Testament situations, it was never God’s best plan.

Jesus affirmed marriage as a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman.

Christians should honor marriage by upholding faithfulness, love, and unity.

If polygamy exists in certain communities, believers should approach the issue with wisdom and grace, encouraging people to follow God’s ideal design.

Final Thoughts

The Bible does not shy away from the reality of polygamy in history, but it also does not promote it as God’s plan.

From creation to the teachings of Jesus, monogamy is consistently upheld as the ideal form of marriage.

Polygamy often led to problems in the Old Testament, showing its flaws.

In the New Testament, marriage is presented as a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the Church—faithful, exclusive, and loving.

God calls His people to honor marriage by embracing His original design.

While cultures may change, God’s truth remains the same.

Marriage, as God intended, is a beautiful and sacred bond between one man and one woman.