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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Concubinage</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/c/concubinage.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/ezekiel/23-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/c/concubinage.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Concubinage</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/c/concourse.htm" title="Concourse">◄</a> Concubinage <a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning.htm" title="Concubinage: Laws Concerning">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Concubinage in the biblical context refers to a marital arrangement where a woman, known as a concubine, is in a recognized relationship with a man but holds a status inferior to that of a wife. This practice is evident throughout the Old Testament and reflects the social and cultural norms of ancient Near Eastern societies.<br><br><b>Old Testament Context</b><br><br>Concubinage is first mentioned in the patriarchal narratives. Abraham, the father of the Israelite nation, took Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant, as a concubine at the behest of his wife Sarah (<a href="/genesis/16.htm">Genesis 16:1-4</a>). This arrangement was intended to produce offspring due to Sarah's barrenness. Hagar bore Ishmael, who became the ancestor of several nations.<br><br>Jacob, another patriarch, had two concubines, Bilhah and Zilpah, who were maidservants of his wives Rachel and Leah, respectively. These concubines bore him sons who became part of the twelve tribes of Israel (<a href="/genesis/30-3.htm">Genesis 30:3-13</a>).<br><br>The practice of concubinage continued into the period of the Judges and the monarchy. <a href="/bsb/judges/19.htm">Judges 19</a> recounts the tragic account of a Levite and his concubine, highlighting the social instability and moral decline during that era. King Saul had a concubine named Rizpah (<a href="/2_samuel/3-7.htm">2 Samuel 3:7</a>), and King David had several concubines, as recorded in <a href="/2_samuel/5-13.htm">2 Samuel 5:13</a> . His son Solomon expanded this practice significantly, having 700 wives and 300 concubines (<a href="/1_kings/11-3.htm">1 Kings 11:3</a>).<br><br><b>Legal and Social Status</b><br><br>Concubines in Israelite society had certain rights and protections, though they were not on par with those of wives. The Mosaic Law provided some regulations concerning concubines, ensuring their basic welfare and the legitimacy of their children. For instance, <a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Exodus 21:7-11</a> outlines the rights of a female servant who might become a concubine, emphasizing her right to food, clothing, and marital rights.<br><br>The children of concubines were considered legitimate and could inherit from their father, though they often held a lower status compared to the children of wives. This is evident in the account of Gideon's son Abimelech, who was the son of a concubine and sought to establish his rule over Israel (<a href="/judges/8-31.htm">Judges 8:31</a>; 9:1-6).<br><br><b>Moral and Theological Considerations</b><br><br>While concubinage was a common practice, it often led to familial strife and conflict. The account of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar illustrates the tension and jealousy that could arise from such arrangements (<a href="/genesis/16-4.htm">Genesis 16:4-6</a>). Similarly, the rivalry between the sons of David, born to different mothers, contributed to significant turmoil within his household (2 Samuel 13-18).<br><br>Theologically, the practice of concubinage is not explicitly endorsed by God in the Scriptures. Instead, the biblical narrative often highlights the negative consequences of deviating from the monogamous ideal established in <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a> , where a man is to be united with his wife, and they become one flesh. The New Testament reaffirms this ideal, emphasizing the sanctity and exclusivity of the marital relationship (<a href="/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4-6</a>; <a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31-33</a>).<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>Concubinage in the Bible reflects the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel. While it was a recognized institution, the biblical narrative often underscores the complications and moral challenges associated with it, pointing towards a higher divine standard for marriage.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>n.</I>) The cohabiting of a man and a woman who are not legally married; the state of being a concubine.<p>2. (<I>n.</I>) A plea, in which it is alleged that the woman suing for dower was not lawfully married to the man in whose lands she seeks to be endowed, but that she was his concubine.<a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">CONCUBINAGE</span><p>kon-ku'-bi-naj.<br><br>See <a href="../f/family.htm">FAMILY</a>.<p><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/augustine/anti-pelagian_writings/chapter_13_in_the_marriage_of.htm"><span class="l">In the Marriage of Mary and Joseph There were all the Blessings of <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Book I. Chapter 13."In the Marriage of Mary and Joseph There Were All the Blessings<br> of the Wedded State; All that is Born of <b>Concubinage</b> is Sinful Flesh. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 13 in the marriage of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/medley/the_church_and_the_empire/chapter_i_the_beginnings_of.htm"><span class="l">The Beginnings of Church Reform</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Thus the two evils of traffic in ecclesiastical offices, shortly stigmatised as<br> simony and <b>concubinage</b>"for the laws of the Church forbade any more decent <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter i the beginnings of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/on_the_good_of_marriage/section_16_therefore_if_haply.htm"><span class="l">Therefore if Haply, which Whether it Can Take Place...</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Thus neither do concubines taken for a time, if they be such in order to sons, make<br> their <b>concubinage</b> lawful; nor do married women, if they live wantonly with <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 16 therefore if haply.htm</font><p><a href="/library/salvian/on_the_government_of_god/index_2.htm"><span class="l">On the Government of God</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Coloni 148n, 150, 151n. Commands of God disobeyed by Christians 82 f. <b>Concubinage</b>,<br> 107 f., 194 f.; laws concerning, 107n. Constans, Emperor, 144n, 170n. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/index 2.htm</font><p><a href="/library/tertullian/ad_nationes/chapter_xvi_name_charges_repelled.htm"><span class="l">Other Charges Repelled by the Same Method the Story of the Noble <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> If there is a single nation which knows nothing of <b>concubinage</b> through the necessity<br> of age and sex"to say nothing of lust and licentiousness"that nation <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xvi name charges repelled.htm</font><p><a href="/library/schaff/the_person_of_christ/his_perfect_holiness.htm"><span class="l">His Perfect Holiness.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> known that the wisest men of Greece and Rome sanctioned slavery, oppression, revenge,<br> infanticide or exposure of infants, polygamy or <b>concubinage</b>, and worse <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/his perfect holiness.htm</font><p><a href="/library/tertullian/on_the_resurrection_of_the_flesh/chapter_lx_all_the_characteristics_of.htm"><span class="l">All the Characteristics of Our Bodies --Sex, Various Limbs, Etc. <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> and all the other organs of generation, in the two sexes, and the laboratories of<br> embryos, and the fountains of the breast, when <b>concubinage</b>, and pregnancy <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter lx all the characteristics of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/tertullian/on_the_resurrection_of_the_flesh/chapter_lxi_the_details_of_our.htm"><span class="l">The Details of Our Bodily Sex, and of the Functions of Our Various <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> There will be no more meat, because no more hunger; no more drink, because no more<br> thirst; no more <b>concubinage</b>, because no more child-bearing; no more eating <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../tertullian/on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter lxi the details of our.htm</font><p><a href="/library/theophilus/theophilus_to_autolycus/chapter_viii_wickedness_attributed_to_the.htm"><span class="l">Wickedness Attributed to the Gods by Heathen Writers.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> They who elaborated such a philosophy regarding either the non-existence of God,<br> or promiscuous intercourse and beastly <b>concubinage</b>, are themselves condemned <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../theophilus to autolycus/chapter viii wickedness attributed to the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/schaff/history_of_the_christian_church_volume_i/section_44_the_power_of.htm"><span class="l">The Power of Christianity.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The wisest men of Greece and Rome sanctioned slavery, polygamy, <b>concubinage</b>, oppression,<br> revenge, infanticide; or they belied their purer maxims by their <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 44 the power of.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/c/concubinage.htm"><span class="l"><b>Concubinage</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. <b>CONCUBINAGE</b>. kon-ku'-bi-naj. See FAMILY.<br> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Concubinage</b> (1 Occurrence). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/concubinage.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/concubine.htm"><span class="l">Concubine (21 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> The immediate cause of <b>concubinage</b> might be gathered from the conjugal histories<br> of Abraham and Jacob (Genesis 16;30). But in process <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/concubine.htm - 15k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/polygamy.htm"><span class="l">Polygamy</span></a><br><b>...</b> great majority of the men were massacred; the women and children, driven to the<br> abode of the conquerors, disappearing there mainly in <b>concubinage</b> and slavery. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/polygamy.htm - 19k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/concourse.htm"><span class="l">Concourse (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/concourse.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/m/marriage.htm"><span class="l">Marriage (74 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> law was violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be introduced (Genesis<br> 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of polygamy and <b>concubinage</b> in the <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/m/marriage.htm - 62k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/slavery.htm"><span class="l">Slavery (31 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 31:7-35). Males were usually slain and females kept for slavery and<br><b>concubinage</b> (Deuteronomy 21:10, 11, 14). Captive slaves and <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/slavery.htm - 36k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/slave.htm"><span class="l">Slave (148 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 31:7-35). Males were usually slain and females kept for slavery and<br><b>concubinage</b> (Deuteronomy 21:10, 11, 14). Captive slaves and <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/slave.htm - 54k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/woman.htm"><span class="l">Woman (4043 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Kings were forbidden to "multiply wives" (Deuteronomy 17:17). <b>Concubinage</b><br> in Israel was an importation from heathenism. Divorce <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/woman.htm - 45k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/relationships.htm"><span class="l">Relationships (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> It is difficult to estimate the extent to which polygamy and <b>concubinage</b> were practiced<br> in ancient Palestine, but it is clear that the former practice was <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/relationships.htm - 38k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/divorce.htm"><span class="l">Divorce (18 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> divorce. Besides, the word adultery had a peculiar significance in Jewish law,<br> which recognized polygamy and <b>concubinage</b> as legitimate. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/divorce.htm - 41k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/concubine-concubines.html">What is a concubine? Why did God allow men to have concubines in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/how-many-wives-did-Abraham-have.html">How many wives did Abraham have? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/concubinage.htm">Concubinage: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Concubinage (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/ezekiel/23-20.htm">Ezekiel 23:20</a></span><br />And she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses. <br /><span class="source">(See JPS)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/concubinage.htm">Concubinage</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--a_levite.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: A Levite</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--abijah.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Abijah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--abraham.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Abraham</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--belshazzar.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Belshazzar</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--caleb.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Caleb</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--called_wives.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Called Wives</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--children_of,_not_heirs.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Children of, not Heirs</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--concubines_might_be_dismissed.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Concubines Might be Dismissed</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--david.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: David</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--eliphaz.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Eliphaz</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--gideon.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Gideon</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--jacob.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Jacob</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--manasseh.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Manasseh</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--nahor.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Nahor</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--rehoboam.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Rehoboam</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--saul.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Saul</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning--solomon.htm">Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Solomon</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/concubine.htm">Concubine (21 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/polygamy.htm">Polygamy</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/concourse.htm">Concourse (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/marriage.htm">Marriage (74 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/slavery.htm">Slavery (31 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/slave.htm">Slave (148 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/woman.htm">Woman (4043 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/relationships.htm">Relationships (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/divorce.htm">Divorce (18 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/taste.htm">Taste (46 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/family.htm">Family (438 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/old.htm">Old (3966 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/c/concourse.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Concourse"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Concourse" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/naves/c/concubinage--laws_concerning.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Concubinage: 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