The Bible has many examples of polygamy.  The first mention of polygamy is regarding Lamech who had two wives.

Gen 4:19  Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah.

The most famous is probably king Solomon who had 700 wives and 300 concubines.

1Ki 11:3  And he [Solomon] had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; …

Even some of the righteous men of the Bible, such and the patriarch Jacob and king David had multiple wives.

What is God’s perspective on this?  Does God approve of polygamy?  Is polygamy a sin?  Let’s take a closer look to see what the Bible reveals.

At the very beginning of creation, God made just one wife for Adam.

Gen 2:21  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.
Gen 2:22  Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
Gen 2:23  And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.”

It’s very clear that God intended just one wife for Adam.  But what about everyone else?  The next verse explains God intended monogamy for everyone.

Gen 2:24  Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

The “therefore” means the following statement is a consequence of the preceding statement.  Verse 24 is saying, when a male reaches adulthood he shall have one wife because God made one wife for Adam.

This is backed up by the apostle Paul where he instructed people to have just one wife or one husband.

1Co 7:2  Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

Further instruction regarding polygamy in relation to leaders is given in both the Old and New Testaments.  In Deuteronomy God gave the following instructions to kings (or rulers).

Deu 17:16  But he [the king] shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the LORD has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’
Deu 17:17  Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.

Kings were not to multiply horses, wives, nor gold and silver.  Great numbers of horses showed military strength; great numbers of wives showed great wealth and status; and vast reserves of gold and silver showed great wealth.  Great military strength, many wives, and great wealth would turn the heart of a king (or any man) away from God and onto physical things, which is the reason God instructed against them.

In the New Testament, listed among the qualifications for deacons and elders is the requirement that they should have only one wife.

1Ti 3:12  Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Tit 1:5  For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—
Tit 1:6  if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.

So, from what we have covered, it is clear that God’s intent for mankind is monogamy.  But is polygamy a sin?  Nowhere in the Bible does is state that polygamy is a sin.  Furthermore, there is no instruction in the New Testament for church members who happened to have more than one wife, to put the other wives away.

Some men might think that God is spoiling their fun because they think they would be happier with multiple wives than with one wife.  But God knows what is best for His creation.  Polygamy does not lead to greater happiness than monogamy, which is why God instructs monogamy.  Let’s consider a few examples of polygamy in the Bible where this is apparent.

The first example is Abraham.  Although technically not polygamy, Abraham had what could be described as a polygamous relationship with Hagar, at the suggestion of his wife Sarah, to solve their childlessness problem.  The ensuing rivalry and bitterness must have been awful to experience. 

Gen 16:5  Then Sarai said to Abram, “My wrong be upon you! I gave my maid into your embrace; and when she saw that she had conceived, I became despised in her eyes. The LORD judge between you and me.”
Gen 16:6  So Abram said to Sarai, “Indeed your maid is in your hand; do to her as you please.” And when Sarai dealt harshly with her, she fled from her presence.

The second example is Jacob with his two wives, Leah and Rachel, and two handmaidens.  Leah bore four sons, but Rachel none as she was barren.  Rachel then became envious and gave her handmaiden, Bilhah, to Jacob for the purpose having children.  Bilhah bore two children.  Not to be outdone, Leah then gave her handmaiden, Zilpah, to Jacob, who subsequently bore two sons.  Then Leah bore two more sons and a daughter.  Finally Rachel bore two sons, dying at the birth of her last son.  One can imagine that domestic life for Jacob was far from bliss with the rivalry between his wives.

The final example is Elkanah with his two wives Hannah and Peninnah.  Peninnah had sons and daughters but Hannah was barren. 

1Sa 1:5  But to Hannah he [Elkanah] would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the LORD had closed her womb.
1Sa 1:6  And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb.

The rivalry between the wives must have made domestic life miserable for the Elkanah.

The reality is that multiple wives multiplies domestic stress, not bliss.

The final question that needs to be addressed is why does God tolerate polygamy?  It’s not so much an issue today because most countries outlaw polygamy.  However, consider the past in a male dominated society with no government handouts.  What would the outlook be for young women, who after a war, far outnumbered young men.  A polygamous marriage allowed them to bear children (a very strong desire) and be provided for.  Remaining unmarried would result in great sadness for them, and probably poverty and maybe prostitution.  Polygamy in this situation is the lesser of two evils.