Why Are There Multiple Wives in the Bible if God Loves Women?

June 22, 2024 Jenn Murray

We see this in the creation story.
Genesis 2:24 says, "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh".

After the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4, there is Genesis 4:19-26: “Lamech married two wives, Adah and Zillah.”
This is the first recorded instance of multiple wives in the Bible.
Nowhere in the Bible does God order men to have multiple wives.
While Godly men took multiple wives and concubines (such as King David and King Solomon), this was something God tolerated. Never approved.
God has given mankind free will which means sin will always be actively present (until Jesus returns).
Note: You’ll find interesting things on the internet about the Law of Moses and God’s role in polygamy. I’m not a theologian, so I’m not going to dissect those kinds of statements or articles. However, the idea that God wants or approves of multiple wives in no way aligns with the rest of the Bible (including God’s character and the items below).

Note: Episodes 11 and 12 goes more deeply into this, if you’d like more information. They are based on the book: On Purpose: Understanding God's Freedom for Women Through Scripture by Julie Zine Coleman
Part of the reason this hatred exists is because of how God created women as well as how much He loves us. (See Episode 9 for more details.)

Episode 64 explains specific ways that Jesus went against the cultural norms when it came to the treatment of women.
That episode is also based on On Purpose: Understanding God's Freedom for Women Through Scripture by Julie Zine Coleman.
When I was a newer Christian, I was angry that Jesus hadn’t brought back the gender equality that God designed.
It took me a while to understand that He wasn't there to change the entire culture. (Just like the Jews at the time thought He was going to free them from Roman rule.)
Instead, Jesus came to free - and empower us - in a much, much bigger way.
Case in point: Without Jesus going to the cross and dying for my sins; starting His Church so that the Good News eventually reached me; and the Holy Spirit becoming accessible Jesus ascended to heaven, He couldn’t have transformed me into the woman I am today - who is following God’s call to help free other women.