Why does God allow polygamy in the Old Testament but forbid it in the New Testament?

Definition and Scope of Polygamy

Polygamy, in the context of the Old Testament, refers to a man having more than one wife concurrently. Examples include key biblical figures such as Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon. While a modern reader might see this practice as conflicting with later teachings on marriage, it remained a permitted (though not explicitly encouraged) institution within certain Old Testament contexts. In contrast, the New Testament standard emphasizes monogamy, as seen in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. This shift naturally prompts the question of why a practice tolerated in earlier Scripture later appears to be forbidden.

Foundational Scriptural Principles

1. Original Divine Intention: The earliest model of marriage in Genesis points to one man and one woman. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).

2. Moral Regulations and Progression: The Old Testament details cultural and societal practices in an ancient Near Eastern context, yet still reveals God guiding His people toward a purer moral and spiritual standard.

Ancient Near Eastern Context

Archaeological records (including marriage contracts described in unearthed tablets such as those found at Mari and Nuzi) corroborate that polygamous arrangements were neither unique nor uncommon in surrounding nations. The consistency of the Old Testament text with such cultural insights supports the historicity of Scripture. The passages that narrate polygamous relationships fit naturally within the broader ancient landscape.

Instances of Polygamy in the Old Testament

- Abraham married Sarah, but later took Hagar by Sarah’s prompting to bear a child (Genesis 16:1–4).

- Jacob took both Leah and Rachel as wives (Genesis 29:15–30).

- David had multiple wives, a reality recorded in Scripture but never commanded by God (2 Samuel 5:13).

- Solomon’s many wives resulted in spiritual compromise (1 Kings 11:1–4).

None of these polygamous relationships were instituted by a direct command of God. Rather, the narrative reflects a historical and cultural reality in which God worked with His people despite their societal norms.

Regulations Under Mosaic Law

Although polygamy was tolerated, Mosaic Law placed restrictions on it, revealing that it was never God’s ideal. Deuteronomy 17:17 warns Israel’s king not to “take many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away.” This implies that polygamy often led to divided affections and complications.

Further, Exodus 21:10 protects the rights of a first wife if a man decides to take another, illustrating that polygamy was managed with stipulations that guarded the welfare of vulnerable spouses. These regulations, however, are more an accommodation to human customs than a divine endorsement of the practice.

Progressive Revelation and Divine Forbearance

1. Human Hardness of Heart: Jesus indicates that the Law made certain allowances due to “the hardness of your hearts” (cf. Matthew 19:7–8). In other words, because of prevailing societal conditions, God sometimes bore with practices that fell short of His original design.

2. Tolerance Versus Endorsement: Tolerance is not the same as approval; God’s approach with Israel often reflects patience and progressive teaching, leading His people incrementally toward a higher standard.

New Testament Teachings on Marriage

1. Jesus Reaffirms Monogamy: In Matthew 19:4–6, Jesus points back to Genesis, reaffirming that God’s design for marriage is one man and one woman. “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:6).

2. Apostolic Instruction: Paul teaches that a church leader must be “the husband of but one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2), which sets an expectation of monogamy for believers in leadership, reflecting the ideal for all Christians.

3. Spiritual Parallel: The New Testament presents the exclusive union between Christ and the Church as a model for marriage (Ephesians 5:25–32). This metaphor underscores the importance of unity, intimacy, and fidelity in a one-to-one covenant.

Philosophical and Behavioral Considerations

From a moral and behavioral perspective, polygamy often led to envy, strife, and complex family issues—seen in narratives like Jacob’s competing wives (Genesis 30) or Solomon’s downfall (1 Kings 11). Societally, the New Testament world moved closer to the standard that God instituted in Eden, with the teachings of Christ and the apostles clarifying the ideal of a one-flesh union in marriage.

Evidence from Manuscripts and Historicity

The record of polygamous unions appears in every major ancient manuscript tradition of the Old Testament (including the Masoretic Text, Septuagint references, and other fragments). This consistency across manuscript evidence aligns strongly with well-preserved historical records, underscoring Scripture’s credibility.

Why The Change from Old to New

1. Re-establishing God’s Creation Design: Jesus, as the fulfillment of the Law, pointed believers back to the perfect pattern: one man, one woman, united under God.

2. God’s Kingdom Ethic: With the coming of Christ, believers are called to reflect God’s holiness on earth (1 Peter 1:15–16). Polygamy did not reflect the moral purity or unity that the Church is called to embody.

3. Cultural Transformation: As the gospel spread, the practice of polygamy conflicted with the growing Christian ethos of sacrificial love and fidelity modeled on Christ’s relationship with the Church.

Concluding Thoughts

Scripture portrays a patient and progressive divine revelation. While instances of polygamy in the Old Testament reflect ancient societal norms, they are never commanded by God. Instead, biblical narratives often highlight the relational pitfalls and spiritual dangers associated with multiple spouses. In the New Testament, Christ and the apostles reaffirm the one-flesh union as the binding standard, emphasizing monogamy as God’s original and best design for marriage.

The progression from tolerated cultural practice to explicit command against polygamy aligns with the scriptural theme of God meeting humanity where they are and guiding them toward the fulfillment of His good and perfect will. In Christ, the Church finds not only the clearest direction on marriage but also the picture of redemption and the harmonizing of relationships that God intended from the very beginning.