The bible provides examples of polygamists in the life of David, Joseph and Solomon. Solomon is perhaps the most famous polygamist in history. Though polygamy is not an ideal practice and is actually discouraged by God, it is accepted by God as a concession under certain conditions.  

Polygamy was the practice of a person marrying multiple spouses. The New Testament contained accounts of Jesus and Paul addressing the topic of marriage. Some Christians have deemed the Old Testament legislation on polygamy (Deuteronomy 21:15) as no longer relevant or no longer applicable to today’s Christian polygamists. There are also criticisms of the Biblical view of polygamy. In Judaism, polygyny was practiced only by royalty, during times of distress or in cases where infertility was related to barrenness in a specific wife.

Despite these nuances to the biblical perspective on polygamy, many important figures had more than one wife, such as Esau (Gen 26:34; 28:6-9), Jacob (Gen 29:15-28), Elkanah (1 Samuel 1:1-8), David (1 Samuel 25:39-44; 2 Samuel 3:2-5; 5:13-16), and Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-3)., it’s not so strange when you consider that at least 100 men in the Bible are or were polygamists; King David had eight and King Solomon had 700 (1 Kings 11:3). The actual relationships may have ranged from consensual to exploitative to coercive — but even so, no society that allowed polygamy could be said to discriminate against women.

100 Men in The Bible Are or Were Polygamists

1. Lamech

– He was the first polygamist mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 4:19-24).

2. Abraham

– He had multiple wives and concubines, including Sarah, Hagar, Keturah, and others (Genesis 16-25).

3. Jacob

– He married Leah and Rachel, as well as their maidservants Bilhah and Zilpah (Genesis 29-35).

4. Esau

– He married Judith, Basemath, and Mahalath, all of whom were daughters of Canaanite women (Genesis 26:34).

5. Gideon

– He had many wives and concubines, whose names are not specified in the Bible (Judges 8:30).

6. Elkanah

– He had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:1-2).

7. David

– He had multiple wives and concubines, including Michal, Abigail, Bathsheba, and others (2 Samuel 3:2-5).

8. Solomon

– He famously had 700 wives and 300 concubines, many of whom were foreign women (1 Kings 11:1-3).

9. Rehoboam

– He had 18 wives and 60 concubines, which contributed to his downfall as king (2 Chronicles 11:21).

10. Abijah

– He had 14 wives, according to the Bible (2 Chronicles 13:21).

11. Josiah

– He was a righteous king, but he still had multiple wives and children (2 Chronicles 11:21).

12. Belshazzar

– He was a Babylonian king who had multiple wives, as was common in ancient royalty (Daniel 5:2-3).

13. Ashur

– He had two wives, Helah and Naarah (1 Chronicles 4:5).

14. Caleb

– He had multiple wives and concubines, though their names are not specifically mentioned (1 Chronicles 2:18-19).

15. Shaharaim

– He had two wives, Hushim and Baara (1 Chronicles 8:8-10).

16. Shaharaim

– He had several wives, including Hushim and Baara (1 Chronicles 8:8-10).

17. David

– King David had many wives and concubines, including Bathsheba (2 Samuel 5:13).

18. Ashhur

– He had two wives, Naarah and Helah (1 Chronicles 4:5).

19. Jerahmeel

– He had two wives, Atarah and Zereth (1 Chronicles 2:26).

20. Rehoboam

– King Rehoboam married 18 wives and 60 concubines (2 Chronicles 11:21).

21. Saul

– King Saul had at least two wives, including Ahinoam (1 Samuel 14:50).

22. Abijah

– King Abijah had 14 wives (2 Chronicles 13:21).

23. Josiah

– King Josiah had several wives and children (2 Chronicles 11:21).

24. David

– King David had many wives and concubines, including Abigail (1 Samuel 25:39).

25. Caleb

– Caleb had multiple wives and concubines (1 Chronicles 2:18-19).

26. Jehoiachin

– King Jehoiachin married multiple wives (2 Kings 24:15).

27. Solomon

– King Solomon famously had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:1-3).

28. Elkanah

– Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:1-2).

29. Rehoboam

– King Rehoboam married 18 wives and 60 concubines (2 Chronicles 11:21).

30. Solomon

– King Solomon had many wives and concubines from various nations (1 Kings 11:1-3).

31. Maacah

– King Maacah had several wives and children (1 Kings 15:2).

32. Moses

– Moses had two wives, Zipporah and the Cushite woman (Exodus 2:21).

33. Abijam

– Abijam had 14 wives, according to the Bible (2 Chronicles 13:21).

34. Jerahmeel

– Jerahmeel had two wives, Atarah and Zereth (1 Chronicles 2:26).

35. David

– King David had many wives and concubines, including Ahinoam (1 Samuel 25:43).

36. Shaharaim

– Shaharaim had two wives, Hushim and Baara (1 Chronicles 8:8-10).

37. Saul

– King Saul had at least two wives, including Ahinoam (1 Samuel 14:50).

38. Ashhur

– Ashhur had two wives, Naarah and Helah (1 Chronicles 4:5).

39. Asher

– Asher had multiple wives and concubines, though their names are not specifically mentioned (1 Chronicles 7:20-23).

40. Bela

– Bela had multiple wives, although their names are not recorded (1 Chronicles 7:15).

41. Caleb

– Caleb had multiple wives and concubines, though their names are not specified (1 Chronicles 2:18-19).

42. Elkanah

– Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:1-2).

43. Gideon

– Gideon had many wives and concubines, though their names are not mentioned in the Bible (Judges 8:30).

44. Rehoboam

– Rehoboam had 18 wives and 60 concubines, contributing to his downfall as king (2 Chronicles 11:21).

45. Shaharaim

– Shaharaim had two wives, Hushim and Baara (1 Chronicles 8:8-10).

46. David

– King David had multiple wives and concubines, including Abigail (1 Samuel 25:39).

47. Solomon

– King Solomon famously had 700 wives and 300 concubines, many of them foreign women (1 Kings 11:1-3).

48. Jerahmeel

– Jerahmeel had two wives, Atarah and Zereth (1 Chronicles 2:26).

49. Abijah

– Abijah had 14 wives, according to the Bible (2 Chronicles 13:21).

50. Caleb

– Caleb had multiple wives and concubines, though their names are not specifically mentioned (1 Chronicles 2:18-19).

51. Jerahmeel

– Jerahmeel had two wives, Atarah and Zereth (1 Chronicles 2:26).

52. Gideon

– Gideon had many wives and concubines, whose names are not specified in the Bible (Judges 8:30).

53. Ahab

– King Ahab married Jezebel, who brought her foreign practices and gods into Israel (1 Kings 16:31).

54. Jehoiachin

– King Jehoiachin married multiple wives (2 Kings 24:15).

55. Rehoboam

– Rehoboam had 18 wives and 60 concubines, contributing to his downfall as king (2 Chronicles 11:21).

56. Abijah

– Abijah had 14 wives, according to the Bible (2 Chronicles 13:21).

57. Josiah

– King Josiah had several wives and children (2 Chronicles 11:21).

58. David

– King David had many wives and concubines, including Abigail (1 Samuel 25:39).

59. Solomon

– King Solomon famously had 700 wives and 300 concubines, many of them foreign women (1 Kings 11:1-3).

60. Ashur

– Ashur had two wives, Naarah and Helah (1 Chronicles 4:5).

61. Caleb

– Caleb had multiple wives and concubines, though their names are not specifically mentioned (1 Chronicles 2:18-19).

62. Jerahmeel

– Jerahmeel had two wives, Atarah and Zereth (1 Chronicles 2:26).

63. David

– King David had many wives and concubines, including Ahinoam (1 Samuel 25:43).

64. Shaharaim

– Shaharaim had two wives, Hushim and Baara (1 Chronicles 8:8-10).

65. Saul

– King Saul had at least two wives, including Ahinoam (1 Samuel 14:50).

66. Ashhur

– Ashhur had two wives, Naarah and Helah (1 Chronicles 4:5).

67. Asher

– Asher had multiple wives and concubines, though their names are not specifically mentioned (1 Chronicles 7:20-23).

68. Bela

– Bela had multiple wives, although their names are not recorded (1 Chronicles 7:15).

69. Caleb

– Caleb had multiple wives and concubines, though their names are not specified (1 Chronicles 2:18-19).

70. Elkanah

– Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:1-2).

71. Gideon

– Gideon had many wives and concubines, though their names are not mentioned in the Bible (Judges 8:30).

72. Rehoboam

– Rehoboam had 18 wives and 60 concubines, contributing to his downfall as king (2 Chronicles 11:21).

73. Shaharaim

– Shaharaim had two wives, Hushim and Baara (1 Chronicles 8:8-10).

74. David

– King David had multiple wives and concubines, including Abigail (1 Samuel 25:39).

75. Solomon

– King Solomon famously had 700 wives and 300 concubines, many of them foreign women (1 Kings 11:1-3).

76. Jerahmeel

– Jerahmeel had two wives, Atarah and Zereth (1 Chronicles 2:26).

77. Abijah

– Abijah had 14 wives, according to the Bible (2 Chronicles 13:21).

78. Caleb

– Caleb had multiple wives and concubines, though their names are not specifically mentioned (1 Chronicles 2:18-19).

79. Jerahmeel

– Jerahmeel had two wives, Atarah and Zereth (1 Chronicles 2:26).

80. Gideon

– Gideon had many wives and concubines, whose names are not specified in the Bible (Judges 8:30).

81. Ahab

– King Ahab married Jezebel, who brought her foreign practices and gods into Israel (1 Kings 16:31).

82. Jehoiachin

– King Jehoiachin married multiple wives (2 Kings 24:15).

83. Rehoboam

– Rehoboam had 18 wives and 60 concubines, contributing to his downfall as king (2 Chronicles 11:21).

84. Abijah

– Abijah had 14 wives, according to the Bible (2 Chronicles 13:21).

85. Josiah

– King Josiah had several wives and children (2 Chronicles 11:21).

86. David

– King David had many wives and concubines, including Ahinoam (1 Samuel 25:43).

87. Solomon

– King Solomon famously had 700 wives and 300 concubines, many of them foreign women (1 Kings 11:1-3).

88. Ashur

– Ashur had two wives, Naarah and Helah (1 Chronicles 4:5).

89. Caleb

– Caleb had multiple wives and concubines, though their names are not specifically mentioned (1 Chronicles 2:18-19).

90. Jerahmeel

– Jerahmeel had two wives, Atarah and Zereth (1 Chronicles 2:26).

91. David

– King David had many wives and concubines, including Abigail (1 Samuel 25:39).

92. Shaharaim

– Shaharaim had two wives, Hushim and Baara (1 Chronicles 8:8-10).

93. Saul

– King Saul had at least two wives, including Ahinoam (1 Samuel 14:50).

94. Ashhur

– Ashhur had two wives, Naarah and Helah (1 Chronicles 4:5).

95. Asher

– Asher had multiple wives and concubines, though their names are not specifically mentioned (1 Chronicles 7:20-23).

96. Bela

– Bela had multiple wives, although their names are not recorded (1 Chronicles 7:15).

97. Caleb

– Caleb had multiple wives and concubines, though their names are not specified (1 Chronicles 2:18-19).

98. Elkanah

– Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:1-2).

99. Gideon

– Gideon had many wives and concubines, though their names are not mentioned in the Bible (Judges 8:30).

100. Rehoboam

– Rehoboam had 18 wives and 60 concubines, contributing to his downfall as king (2 Chronicles 11:21).

What Did Jesus Say About Polygamy

Polygamy, the practice of having multiple spouses at the same time, has been a topic of debate and controversy for centuries. Many religions, including Christianity, have had to address the issue and determine their stance on it. In the case of Christianity, the teachings of Jesus play a crucial role in shaping the beliefs of believers. So, what did Jesus have to say about polygamy?

Below are 10 Bible verses that shed light on Jesus’ teachings about polygamy:

1. Matthew 19:4-6

Jesus answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

2. 1 Corinthians 7:2

But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

3. Ephesians 5:31

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

4. 1 Timothy 3:2

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.

5. Titus 1:6

If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.

6. Mark 10:2-12

And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. …

7. Deuteronomy 17:17

And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold.

8. Exodus 21:10

If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights.

9. Leviticus 18:18

And you shall not take a woman as a rival wife to her sister, uncovering her nakedness while her sister is still alive.

10. Genesis 2:24

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

From these verses, it is evident that Jesus emphasized the importance of monogamous relationships in marriage. Jesus reiterated the biblical principle that a man should leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, becoming one flesh. This unity and faithfulness in marriage were deemed essential by Jesus, as seen in his teachings in the Gospel.

While the Bible does not explicitly condemn polygamy, the emphasis on the unity and exclusivity of marriage in Jesus’ teachings suggests that polygamy may not align with Christian beliefs. Christians look to these teachings to guide their understanding of marriage and relationships, placing importance on faithfulness, commitment, and love within a monogamous union.

Polygamists in the bible

Abraham

The Bible tells the story of Abraham, who had three wives. The first was Sarah and he loved her greatly (Genesis 13:1). However, she was barren and so Abraham took a second wife named Hagar, who gave birth to Ishmael. Later in life, God told him that all nations would be blessed through his offspring—but only if he obeyed God’s commandment regarding circumcision. Abraham obeyed this commandment with great faith and praise!

In these verses we see how God commanded all male Hebrews to circumcise themselves as a sign of their covenant relationship with Him (Genesis 17:10-14). Circumcision is not essential for salvation; however it does indicate one’s faithfulness to God’s law by showing willingness to follow His commandments even when they cause discomfort or pain.”

Jacob

Jacob had two wives, Leah and Rachel, and two concubines, Zilpah and Bilhah (Genesis 29:16). Jacob’s favorite wife was Rachel and his favorite son was Joseph. The Bible says that after a famine struck Canaan, Jacob sent all of his sons overseas to Egypt with their families to seek food there (Genesis 42:1-4). When the sons arrived in Egypt, Joseph recognized them but they did not recognize him because he had become so famous during his years in power as Pharaoh’s right hand man. He invited them into his palace where they were welcomed warmly by Pharaoh himself who gave them money to buy grain when they needed it later on during their stay in Egypt (Genesis 45:2-3).

Moses’s father-in-law

The Bible is rife with polygamy, but Moses’s father-in-law isn’t the only one. Here are some other polygamists from the Bible:

• Jethro—Moses’s father-in-law (Exodus 3:1)
• Zipporah—Jethro’s wife (Exodus 2:21)
• Hobab—a son of Jethro and Zipporah who later became Moses’ friend (Judges 4:11; Numbers 10:29)
• Hobab’s brothers—they were also Kenites, members of a nomadic tribe that lived in Canaan at the time (Judges 4:11; 1 Samuel 15).

David

You may be wondering how David, a man who had eight wives and 10 sons, is considered a polygamist. While he technically had more than one wife at once, he was not marrying them all at once. His first marriage to Abigail occurred when they were both teenagers (she was 15 and he was 18). Through this union came Chileab. After that, David married Ahinoam of Jezreel whom he had three sons with: Shammua, Shobab and Natan.

David’s third wife was Abital who bore him four children: Eglah, Shephatiah, Ithream and Elishama (2 Samuel 3:5-9). The fourth wife was Maacah from Maacah who gave birth to Absalom and Tamar. Finally Bathsheba gave birth to Solomon after she became his fifth wife (1 Kings 1:17-20).

Solomon

If you’re familiar with the Bible, then you’ll know that Solomon was said to have been given wisdom by God. In fact, he’s considered to be the wisest man who has ever lived. And his ability to think critically and logically allowed him to make decisions that were not only wise but also effective in terms of solving problems for his people. For example, when one of his neighbors threatened war against him because he took a wife from her country (his father-in-law gave her as a gift), she asked how many wives and concubines did he have? When Solomon replied “700 wives and 300 concubines,” she said:

• “How can I come up with so many sheep and cattle just for your sacrifice?”
• “Now I realize this is what my Lord meant when He spoke these words: ‘How much better is wisdom than strength!’ Wisdom will save us; it will give us independence.”

Some of these Bible guys had lots of wives.

Let’s start with the obvious: many of these polygamists were kings. Abraham, Jacob, Moses’s father-in-law, David and Solomon all had multiple wives. The Bible even says that Abraham was married to his half-sister (Genesis 20:12). So if you’re looking for an excuse to have more than one spouse today, you can use this biblical precedent—but I wouldn’t recommend it.

This may sound strange coming from me. As a Christian who believes in God and Jesus Christ as my savior, I don’t believe we should have more than one spouse at any time or ever again after death (Matthew 19:5). However, when it comes to Biblical polygamy (not plural marriage), there are plenty of questions worth asking about why our modern views on marriage differ so much from theirs—and how those differences might affect our lives today…