Polygyny Does Not Constitute Adultery

Over the years I have wondered from whence some doctrines have come? The doctrines I am thinking of can vary from church to church and usually cause some difficulty in understanding some of the more basic doctrines. One doctrine that is very much confused concerns the sin of adultery. Many people believe that having more than one wife at the same time would constitute adultery. We can not use a dictionary to determine scriptural definitions.


One of the major causes for doctrinal misunderstanding is a lack of knowledge of the Old Scriptures or Old Testament.


People will look at

Exodus 20:14

"Thou shalt not commit adultery."


and with a vague knowledge of what the Bible says about adultery apply it to any situation they think qualifies. Just 22 verses later Moses, by our God's direction, tells Israel the following:

Exodus 21:10

10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.


Looking at Exodus 21:10 one must conclude that taking another wife does not constitute adultery. The Bible is very clear what is adultery. It is more than what most people think it is, but it does not include polygyny. Check the Marriage articles section above for more information on adultery.


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Christian Polygyny

Christian Polygyny



Basic Articles on Marriage, Children, Divorce, Remarriage and Adultery

Articles on Polygyny

Scriptural Marriage Possibilities

Polygyny is not Adultery!

Who did Seth Marry?

Lamech Had Two Wives

A Damsel or Two.

God Gave David His Wives.

How Many Wives per Man in Israel?

Is Polygyny Still Righteous Today?

Is Polygyny a Blessing from God?

Is Permission for Polygyny Required?

It Began with One Man and Four Women

Let Each Woman Have Her Own Husband

Hosea's Two Wives

Is this the Meaning of Leviticus 18:18?

Women with Women?

Men with Men?

Support for Scriptural Polygyny

Sunday Morning Visitor

Poly Friendly Book Reviews

Audio lessons on Christian Polygyny

How I discovered Polygyny

Christian Polygyny Links Page

Home Page