Bible unclear about concubines


Published on Monday, September 14, 2009 9:19 PM AKDT

To the editor:

Ron Hamman’s article about Abraham’s wife or concubine was very interesting. From the tiny amount of ancient Greek history I have read, my impression is that probably the wives at that time were not too happy about the concubines. Many wives may have tried to somehow get rid of them. I believe concubines were a common part of society throughout ancient times. If a soldier displayed exceptional bravery during a battle, often he was rewarded with a woman from the captured area. It probably was inappropriate for him to refuse the woman, even if he was married. It is difficult to tell the status of these concubines. I don’t believe they wore any distinctive dress. In Roman times, prostitutes wore distinctive toga-style dresses. Romans were also very concerned with the maintenance of public dignity and social stability, both of which were based on the conventional family unit. ApparentIy, the concubine system gradually phased out. I’m sure the early Christian church generally discouraged the use of concubines. I say generally, as I’m pretty sure even Saint Augustine (one of the great early church leaders) had a concubine. As pastor Hamman pointed out, even the Bible is confusing on this topic.

Doug Bartko

Palmer

 

Comments

12 comment(s)

    MAXKATT from NY wrote on Sep 22, 2009 5:10 AM:

    " My understanding is Phillip Garrido is going to cite the bible and direction from God as proof he's committed no crime. "

    Katie wrote on Sep 21, 2009 8:17 AM:

    " If it's in the Bible, I thought it was God's Word?? How do you know, exactly, what God likes? I've been told that God would never allow his Word to be untrue, that's why there's no such thing as Evolution, homosexuality is BAD,also why slavery was so acceptable, why women are basically evil until baptized... 'cause the Bible tells us so. If some of it is stuff "God doesn't like", who decides?? Sounds more like there's stuff in there that people don't like... "

    OReally wrote on Sep 19, 2009 4:58 PM:

    " Oh you men!! Nothing like getting a lil sumptin on the side! "

    Rev. Snakefootak wrote on Sep 18, 2009 8:46 PM:

    " In Genesis 22:24, Nahor, the brother of Abraham, had eight sons by his wife, Milcah, and four sons by his concubine, Reumah. "

    Rev. Snakefootak wrote on Sep 18, 2009 8:46 PM:

    " Abraham found this to be a very difficult thing to do and it was only after finding out that God concurred with Sarah that he did this.

    "King Solomon loved, in addition to the daughter of Pharaoh, many foreign women, Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the Lord had warned the Israelites. "You must not cohabit with them, nor they with you, for they will certainly turn your hearts to their gods". He had 700 official wives and 300 concubines...." (1 Kings 11:1-3). "

    Rev. Snakefootak wrote on Sep 18, 2009 8:44 PM:

    " In the Bible (Book of Genesis 16 and 21), Abraham took the slave girl Hagar as a concubine. Since Sarah had not conceived up to this point, she offered her maid servant Hagar to Abraham to produce an heir. Abraham did marry Hagar, residing with her according to the Jewish laws of a Pilegesh (Hebrew for Concubine). She produced Ishmael. After a miracle occurred for Sarah, she became fertile in old age and gave birth to Isaac. Sarah then demanded that Abraham drive Ishmael, and Hagar his mother, out of the home and into the desert. "

    2bornot2b wrote on Sep 18, 2009 11:29 AM:

    " So where does the 10 Commandments come into play? Are we missing the 11th or 12th? How about unwed teen pregnancy? "

    Oops wrote on Sep 16, 2009 7:18 PM:

    " Loopholes in the Bible? Boy, what next the KFC secret recipe? People are strange or bored. "

    Jim from Boston wrote on Sep 16, 2009 12:54 PM:

    " A number of Republican legislators will be relieved to hear this. "

    Joe from the lower 48 wrote on Sep 16, 2009 12:21 PM:

    " Re: There are many things that were practiced in the old testement that God dosnt nessarilly like
    =====
    Must be the reason it was re-written several times so the faithful didn`t need to be faithful.

    Looking to the sky for some mythical guys help is as absurd as reading a mythical book that nobody follows. Many will use the mythical book to condemn others while twisting it`s myths to meet their expectations of hypocrisy, so as to be superior over others. "

    Mr. Mackey wrote on Sep 15, 2009 11:16 AM:

    " Being a concubine is the oldest profession on earth; being a politician is the second, though it resembles the first, mmmkay. "

    Bible Believer wrote on Sep 15, 2009 3:27 AM:

    " Dear Doug
    There are many things that were practiced in the old testement that God dosnt nessarilly like. Every verse in the bible that talks about marrige supports a single wife. Matt 19 , Eph 5 for example support a single wife. It was Adam and Eve in the begining not Adam Eve and Wilma. May God guide you in your search for the truth. "

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