I have some questions?

[truthfinder1967]

Good Evening Brothers and Sisters,

For this evening I have pondered about some titles and family structure with the blessing of another wife, to wit, I have these scriptures to show before asking my question;

Genesis 25:5-6 KJV

5 And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.

6 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

2 Samuel 5:12-14 KJV

12 And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.

13 And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.

14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

2 Chronicles 11:20-22

20 And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.

21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)

22 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.

It is my understanding that concubines are part of the family unit, that concubines give sons to the head of the family, and as well as that concubines are wives of a lesser stature behind the Wife. Scripture clearly shows that wives are meantioned as wives, and concubines are meantion as concubines. Both have certain duties in the family structure, both give children to the husband, but to me the bible is suggesting that concubines and their respective offspring have a lower station within the family unit.

Now here are my questions;

1. Is it still scriptural to have more than one wife and more than one concubine at the same time?
2. If the concubine is a wife classification with a lesser station than the wife, then does the wife have total say over her in the running of the home?
3. If children come from a concubine, do they in turn have a lesser station than those children of the wife.
4. If concubines are still a legitimate part of the family structure, then does anyone follow it?
5. and finally Please tell me if I am wrong, or if this still applies.

God Bless and good evening.

Chris

 

[Mark C]

I'll take a stab at least at a couple of those issues, Chris, primarily at this point from memory, since I'm on the road, and with the understanding up front that a few of the comments I make are based on my recollection of the "midrash", which includes the possibility of extra-Biblical information, but (at least in this case) I find to be consistent.

In general, a concubine is of "lesser status", and may likely be a servant or slave. Both Zilpah and Bilhah, Jacob's two other wives other than Leah and Rachel, were concubines (and probably half-sisters of them, through a concubine of Laban's) - although the word wife (again, as I recall) is used for them as well.

I will note, however, that the Bible (in contrast to some of the "feminist" reserved for anything reminiscent of patriarchy) is careful to protect the rights of concubines and 'war brides', and assure that both they and their children are treated fairly.

Hope that's a start, anyway.