Introduction
In biblical and ancient cultures, concubines were women who lived with a man in a recognized relationship but held a lower social and legal status than a wife. Concubinage reflects human customs shaped by social, economic, and familial needs, yet it is clear from Scripture that it was never God’s original design for marriage. Understanding concubines in the biblical context requires examining their roles, status, and eventual decline as God’s ideal of monogamous marriage became emphasized.
Concubines in the Old Testament
A concubine was essentially a secondary wife, often taken to bear children or strengthen alliances, but without the full rights or status of a primary wife. The Hebrew term pilegesh (פִּילֶגֶשׁ) identifies such women, and they appear frequently in narratives of patriarchs and kings.
Social and Legal Status
- Concubines were recognized as part of the household.
- Their children might have limited inheritance rights compared to children of the primary wife.
- Men were responsible for the protection and provision of concubines.
- Many concubines were servants or slaves before entering this role.
Biblical Examples
- Abraham and Hagar: Hagar, Sarah’s maid, became Abraham’s concubine to bear Ishmael (Genesis 16:1–4).
- Jacob, Bilhah, and Zilpah: Jacob took these women as concubines to bear children for Leah and Rachel, reflecting the practice of surrogacy in the family (Genesis 30:3–13).
- Kings David and Solomon: Both had multiple concubines, illustrating concubinage as a sign of wealth, power, and social status (2 Samuel 5:13; 1 Kings 11:3).
Purpose of Concubinage
- To produce heirs when a wife was barren.
- To strengthen alliances between families or tribes.
- To manage polygamous households and demonstrate status.
While concubinage was culturally accepted in the Old Testament era, Scripture shows that God’s ideal for marriage has always been one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24).
Decline of Concubinage: Intertestamental and New Testament Period
By the time of the New Testament, concubinage had largely disappeared in Jewish culture.
Legal and Cultural Changes
- Jewish law and tradition increasingly emphasized monogamy.
- Roman law and social structures did not recognize concubinage the same way as ancient Hebrew custom.
- Inheritance rights and property laws favored formal marriage over secondary arrangements.
New Testament Principles
The New Testament clearly affirms God’s design for monogamous marriage:
- Jesus reiterated God’s original intention for marriage: “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” (Matthew 19:4–6)
- Paul instructed church leaders to be “husbands of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6).
- Sexual relationships outside marriage, including concubinage, were regarded as sinful and incompatible with Christian living (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20).
Cultural and Religious Shift
The fading of concubinage reflects a broader shift toward faithful, monogamous marriage, consistent with God’s plan. Early Christians were called to model sexual purity, commitment, and fidelity, rejecting practices that were tolerated in earlier eras but not part of God’s ideal.
Conclusion
Concubinage provides a window into the social, familial, and legal practices of ancient Israel and neighboring cultures. While concubines were tolerated and even institutionalized in the Old Testament era, the practice gradually declined and disappeared by the New Testament period. Scripture consistently points to monogamous marriage as God’s design, emphasizing fidelity, equality, and the sanctity of the marital covenant. Understanding the historical role of concubines illuminates the contrast between human customs and God’s ultimate plan for marriage—a plan fully revealed in Christ.