Expert: Michael Christopher Clayton Hockaday - 11/19/2007

Question
Did God allow polygamy and concubines in the OT?
I believe God never sanctioned polygamy.
Then how come Abraham, who is considered as the father of faith, had concubines. I believe after Sarah's death, he legally married only one woman, Keturah. But he had many other concubines.
Concubines were considered as secondary wives, and Abraham did give his concubines' sons their share before sending them away. Isn't this unofficial polygamy? Why did God not count this sin against Abraham? Thanks in advance

Answer
Genesis: 16:1-4  NKJ

It states that Sarah instigated it, she started it and led him into it. Yes he could of said no but he thought this was right thing to do at first.

After he laid with hagar impregnated her then Sarah became jealous. This when she first is aware he mistake.
Because in Verse 5 it says this Then Sarai said to Abram "MY wrong be upon you!...... the Lord judge you and me.
So there is some awareness of God there.

Chapter 17:1-8

it says at 99 years old then he falls on his face and God makes the covenant.
Before they sinned
then here he repents because falling on the face in old testament is a sign of repentance and forgiveness. This is where God establishes his covenant with Abram and changes his name here. That usually shows a sign of how dear they are to God,

It is acknowledged that the impregnation of Hagar was wrong.

because after Sarah dies there is no other concubines .

Chapter 25:1-4
Keturah had the other nations of the world so to speak
Yes to concubines, but you have to understand Abraham is before the 10 commandments were set in place the scrolls they hadn't gone in Egypt or anything.

obviously God forgave him for Concubines he said he GAVE GIFTS not any part of and inheritance. It says in Chapter 25:5 and Abraham gave all he had to Isaac

Obviously God forgave Abraham because God had a plan and it would work out even if there is bumps in the road

it also states he sent the concubines kids away from Isaac

Why can't you be a father of Faith and still have made mistakes. What we should see from this is that God is forgiving God no matter how much faith(big faith or small)as little as mustard seed.

Yes Abraham may have made mistakes and had concubines. But God still needed to fulfill God's plan so he forgave.

Abraham was father of the major players to create the nations and Israel. The one of the first to believe and be obedient to God and God created  a covenant.