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and David. And yet the Scriptures repeatedly warn against having multiple wives (Deut. 17:17) and
violating the principle of monogamy—one man for one wife (cf. 1 Cor. 7:2; 1 Tim. 3:2).

The starting point for our analysis of polygamy must be the biblical idea of marriage as presented in the
opening chapters of Genesis. We should also be aware that some bible passages are descriptive and not
prescriptive. Monogamy is God’s ideal standard for the human race. Polygamy was never commanded
by God; it was only tolerated. From the beginning, God set the pattern by creating a monogamous
marriage relationship with one man and one woman, Adam and Eve (Gen. 1:27). It is evident in the
subsequent statement that “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife [singular],
and they will become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). Polygamy was never established by God for any people
under any circumstances.

Following from this God-established example, this was the general practice (Gen. 4:1) until interrupted
by sin. The first recorded polygamist, Lamech, was a wicked man (Gen. 4:23). Christ reaffirmed God’s
original intention in Matthew 19:4, noting that God created one “male and [one] female” and joined
them in marriage. The Law of Moses prohibits polygamy, commanding, “You shall not multiply wives”
(Deut. 17:17).

God’s judgment on polygamy is evident by example and implication:
1. Polygamy is first mentioned in the context of a society in rebellion against God where the
murderer “Lamech took for himself two wives” (Gen. 4:19, 23).
2. God repeatedly warned polygamists of the consequences of their actions “lest his heart turn
away” from God (Deut. 17:17; cf. 1 Kings 11:2).
3. God never commanded polygamy—like divorce, he only permitted it because of the hardness of
their hearts (Deut. 24:1; Matt. 19:8).
4. Every polygamist in the Bible, including David and Solomon (1 Chron. 14:3), paid dearly for his
sins.
5. God hates polygamy, as he hates divorce, since it destroys his ideal for the family (cf. Mal.
21
2:16).

Divorce and Remarriage
Why are so many Christian couples getting divorced? I am sure you have seen, interacted or head of a
Christian couple getting divorce. Maybe you’ve been there or know someone who has. The unfortunate
part is that most marriages are falling apart because couples fail to keep God the center in their
marriages. Many marriages start out strong, but in a matter of few years trouble starts. Being wise in
their own understanding they refuse to seek the council of God and they end up to the path of
destruction. Lack of understanding, unforgiveness and impatient leads to may divorces in our culture
today. There are various constraints on marriage, the rising statistics of infidelity, or couples who
cohabitate before marriage. Nonetheless many Christian marriages end in divorce because couples do
not apply God’s standards for the husband and wife. It’s not a lack of understanding the problems in the
marriage that leads to divorce but the failure to know and apply God’s purposes for the marriage to
flourish.

21 Norman L. Geisler, “Polygamy,” Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Baker Reference Library
(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999), 602.

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