A History of Marriage - Part 3

Welcome to the third and final installment of my A History of Marriage series.  In Part 1, I looked at the history and origins of marriage licenses and many marriage traditions.  In Part 2 I looked at the history of and science behind marriage age, cousin marriages and avunculate (uncle/aunt with niece/nephew) marriages.  In Part 3 we'll look at... POLYGAMY, marriage of a person to more than one partners at once.  More specifically, we'll look at POLYGYNY (the marriage of a man to more than one wife at the same time), although that'll touch briefly on POLYANDRY (the marriage of a woman to more than one husband at the same time).  Some refer to it as PLURAL MARRIAGE.  It's frowned upon by Western societies.
(I recommend reading my article Does the Torah Still Apply?.  It bears relevance here.)
I'll defer to Amanda L. Boyd.  She uses Hebrew names, so I'll insert the English equivalent in [square brackets] the first time each Hebrew name occurs.  I'll also afterward correct a couple of mistakes on her part, but otherwise, I completely agree with her.  (You can find the original at https://www.yourarmstoisraelglobal.com/uploads/2/2/5/1/22514828/biblical_plural_marriages_by_amanda_boyd.pdf.)

BIBLICAL PLURAL MARRIAGES

RIGHT OR WRONG?

WHAT DOES YAHUAH [The Lord] SAY?

By Amanda L. Boyd

 

A STUDY EXAMINING YAHUAH’S LAWS AND WORDS IN REGARDS

TO MARRIAGES HAVING MORE THAN ONE WIFE.

 

NO EXTRA-BIBLICAL BOOKS OR DOCUMENTS ARE USED, ONLY THE “ENTIRE” WORD OF YAHUAH.

 

BIBLICAL PLURAL MARRIAGES –

WHAT DOES YAHUAH SAY?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INTRODUCTION

 

YAHUAH Does Not Change

Challenging Your Beliefs

Law of the Land

 

REVIEW OF YEA ARTICLE CONCERNING “POLYGAMY”

(Note: Polygany is the correct word for marriage of a man with multiple wives.)

 

Many Religions Allow Multiple Wives

Matthew 19:3-9 What Is It About?

Abraham’s Example – Did The Father of Us All Make a “Grievous Mistake”?

Jacob’s Example – The Father of YAHUAH’s Chosen People

David’s Example – Many Wives Are a Blessing From YAHUAH

Solomon’s Example – A Heart Problem, Not a Wife Problem

 

SUMMARY OF REVIEW OF YEA ARTICLE

 

ADDITIONAL STUDY

 

More Examples of Spirit-filled, Polyganist Men

Other Arguments Presented by Anti-Polyganists

Religious Hypocrisy

 

SUMMARY

 

 

Response to YEA Newsletter Article

“Marriage and the Hebrew Language”, Section “Polygamy”, Page 16

May – June 2002 Publication

 

INTRODUCTION

 

YAHUAH Does Not Change – Malachi 3:6-

 

With all due respect to the author of the YEA Newsletter Article for writing on this extremely sensitive subject, I would like to r espectfully point out that he

appears to have laid aside the one scripture that is the very cornerstone for

understanding YAHUAH’s word.

 

For I am YAHUAH, I change not: therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Mal 3:6

 

This scripture is critical for understanding the fact that YAHUAH is the same

yesterday, today and tomorrow, and for understanding that the new covenant is based upon and builds upon the original covenant. The Elders in the Assemblies of YAHUAH routinely point to this scripture and then back to the original covenant as the place to start building understanding. Except, it seems, when it comes to the subject of plural, biblical marriages. Then the original covenant with all the clear examples it gives to us of YAHUAH-fearing, righteous men, who married multiple wives, are avoided or ignored, or criticized or misrepresented. Those who are guilty of doing this should beware the warning given in Deut 4:2:

 

“You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish ought from it, that you may keep the commandments of YAHUAH your Elohim [God] which I command you.”

 

YAHUAH-Yahusha [The Lord-Jesus] Came Not to Destroy the Law (Torah) – Matthew 5:17 -

 

Those who do not desire to follow YAHUAH’s word on this matter teach that this is the one time when YAHUAH did change, and that YAHUAH-Yahsha is the one who brought about the change. This would be in direct violation of Matthew 5:17, and cannot, therefore, be true.

 

Think not that I am come to destroy the Law (Torah) or the prophets: I am not

come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled.

 

Have heaven and earth passed away? NO! And therefore, not even the smallest part of the Law has passed away including the laws that not only accept, but regulate and instruct, a man who is married to more than one woman.

 

Psalms 119:89 Forever, O YAHUAH, thy word is settled in heaven. KJV

 

Yes, there are laws that “regulate” polyganous marriage, and YAHUAH’s law is Holy (Kodesh), and it is settled in the heavens.

 

Rom 7:12 Wherfore the Law (Torah) is Holy and the Commandment holy, and Just, and Good.

 

Isaiah 40:7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our Elohim shall stand forever.

 

Since the unchangeable, Holy law of YAHUAH does not condemn polygamous marriages, but shows acceptance of them by regulating them, who is man to say this form of marriage is sinful? Only YAHUAH determines what is sinful and what is not sinful, and His ideas on this matter have never and will never changes (see Mal 3:6 above). Would YAHUAH “regulate” sin? YAHUAH forbid! YAHUAH cannot sin and it is therefore not possible that he would regulate polygamous marriages if they were in fact sinful. The fact that the unchanging, Holy Law (Torah) of YAHUAH teaches a man how to treat his wives, should he have more than one, is clear evidence that YAHUAH accepts this form of marriage. I repeat for those hard of hearing, or for those hard of heart on this subject... YAHUAH teaches the right way for a man to behave if

he is a polyganist. He would not dictate behavioral laws telling a man how to behave in a polyganist marriage if this form of marriage was not acceptable.

 

Num 23:19 Elohim is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? KJV

 

YAHUAH left many instructions as to what types of relationships were unacceptable for His people including other’s spouses, close relatives, homosexual, bestiality, prostitution, and so on. If a plural marriage were an offensive relationship, then YAHUAH would have listed it as an unacceptable thing. There is absolutely no evidence of this anywhere in YAHUAH’s word.

 

Challenging Your Beliefs

 

Simply put, it can be proven that having more than one wife was acceptable to YAHUAH in the Old Testament, and therefore, it is still acceptable today because YAHUAH does not change. It can be proven that YAHUAH did not consider this form of marriage as sinful, or adulterous in the past, and it is not either of these things today, because YAHUAH does not change. It can be proven that men who had more than one wife in the old covenant will be in YAHUAH’s future kingdom on earth, where no sin or adulterous ones are allowed. It follows then that those practicing Polygany today will not be barred from the Kingdom to come, nor should they be barred from the Assemblies today, on these grounds. To say otherwise is to break with YAHUAH’s word or say that the law is sinful. Multiple scriptures are available to clearly show that YAHUAH does not find this form of marriage sinful or adulterous, and that those who lived this lifestyle were and are righteous and will be in the coming Kingdom.

 

Those who hold themselves out as teachers in the Assembly have used Malachi 3:6 over and over again to show that YAHUAH has not changed over the years, and that the Law (Torah) was not done away with. These same people now speak with a forked tongue and a double-mindedness and seek to

change or do away with or explain away the laws concerning and regulating marriages of a man to more than one wife.

 

They do this because it is uncomfortable for them and it "seems" wrong to them simply because of how and where they were raised. Remember that "there is a way which seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof is death". (Prov 14:12)

The only right way is YAHUAH's way. Therefore, let us seek His way, which in some cases may be beyond our understanding.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55: 9

This scripture tells us that YAHUAH's ways and thoughts (i.e. His purpose or plan) are above and beyond our earthly, human understanding.

Trust in YAHUAH with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Prov 3:5

For this reason, we are instructed to hear and accept YAHUAH's Law as written and not follow our own feelings.

Challenging Questions

Is your own understanding of marriage based more on the current practice of monogamy in the western world of today, than based on YAHUAH's understanding according to scripture? Do you realize that 83% of the countries of the world accept polyganous marriages? And since the Western societies are considered THE most amoral in the world, isn't it strange that they are one of the few that does not accept marriages of a man to more than one woman? You would think that a country that has little or no morals, accepts homosexual and lesbian marriages, and has no laws against abortion or sodomy, would have no problem with polygany. The reason this country and the western hemisphere are so opposed to polygany is because they are so opposed to YAHUAH and His laws, and due to the heavy influence of paganized Christianity.

The point is that just because you happen to live in a country where the majority believes in monogamy doesn't change YAHUAH's word. And since when is the majority ever right? We are meant to be a remnant standing for YAHUAH's word, not our own comfortable view of what we think His word says. Are you disallowing YAHUAH's word simply because you cannot change your own understanding of marriage based on what you are used to, or how you were raised, or because of the country you were born in?

In a world that teaches lawlessness, we are to stand for YAHUAH and His Law (Torah) and His understanding of the law against a world that is opposed to YAHUAH. Have you missed understanding in this one part of the law, and if so, you have thereby missed other points? (James 2:10) And if you have failed to understand the issue of marriage according to YAHUAH, then have you not also wrongly judged those whom you have set outside the camp?

Law of the Land

There are those who believe that polygany is against the "law of the land" (although actually it is not), and that members of the Assemblies of YAHUAH should follow the law of the land in this matter.

As we have already pointed out, the law of this land today is opposed to YAHUAH's ways in many areas, so how could this be right? Perhaps this is true as long as the law of the land does not violate YAHUAH's law or cause a man to sin. If YAHUAH has instructed, or led, a man to take responsibility for more than one woman, then he should follow YAHUAH first. Peter and John who were instructed not to teach in YAHUAH-Yahushua's name in Acts leave this example for us. They did so anyway, breaking the law of the land, in order that they not break the commandment they had received from YAHUAH to teach and preach in the name of YAHUAH- Yahushua.

Acts 4:18-20 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of YAHUAH-Yeshuah. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of YAHUAH to hearken unto you more than unto YAHUAH, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. KJV

Perhaps if the law of the land had stuck to the original law of the land, which forbids the government interfering with freedom of religion, we would have no problem here.

Also, there is the witness of Daniel who was blessed of YAHUAH, and yet he refused to keep the law of the land. In spite of their law demanding obeisance only to the King, Daniel continued to pray openly to YAHUAH. When he was subsequently thrown to the lion's den, he was miraculously protected by YAHUAH (Daniel 6).

Ps 1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the council (advice) of the unrighteous (those of this land), nor standeth (go along with) in the way of sinners, nor sitteth (remain with) in the seat of the scornful (scoffers or mockers) But his delight is in the law (Torah) of YAHUAH; and in his law (Torah) doth he meditate day and night.

Judge for yourself then. Should a man follow the advice of the unrighteous of this world, which follow not YAHUAH's laws but make their own laws, or go along with their sinful laws and ways, and then continue to be in collusion with them as they scoff and mock YAHUAH with their own man-made laws? May YAHUAH forgive those who deem it right to put the corrupt law of the land above YAHUAH's own Holy Law. In fact YAHUAH's law says not to seek the courts of the land, and yet we see everyone rushing to the courts of the land to get a license or "permission" to marry. Permission to marry or not to marry has never been the right of the state or the courts.

Here is some additional food for thought. It is not against the law of the land for to live with, or have sexual relations with 2 or more women at the same time. However, he may be in trouble if he chooses to call them "wives" rather than roommates or girlfriends.

An example of this is Hugh Hefner, the publisher of the infamous Playboy Magazine, who travels all about the country with his nine "kittens", without any legal opposition by the law. In fact then, the law the land supports irresponsible liasions, and allows a man to sleep with as many women as he likes without having to take care of them. This same law then seeks to prohibit a man from taking lawful responsibility for the women he has sexual reliations with.

This is direct violation of Deut 22:28. How bizarre. Why would anyone hold this law to be above YAHUAH's Holy (Kodesh) Law? When man tries to replace YAHUAH, he always makes a big mess and fails utterly.

Ps 119:126-127 It is time for thee, YAHUAH, to work: for they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold: yea, above fine gold. KJV

Prov 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the Law (Torah), even his prayer shall be an abomination.

Yes, we should obey those YAHUAH has placed in power over us in the land, to the point that they do not instruct us to disobey YAHUAH. When believers are instructed to worship the beast in the end times, hopefully, many will disobey the law of the land. From this we can see that the law of the land should never superced YAHUAH's law at any time. Peter said it best.....

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey YAHUAH rather than men. Acts 5:29 KJV

POINT-BY-POINT DISCUSSION OF YEA ARTICLE CONCERNING POLYGANY

(All quotes are taken word for word from the YEA Newsletter dated May-June 2002. Note: Polygany is the correct word for marriage of a man with multiple wives. Pologamy refers to marriages of multiple partners of either sex and is not taught in the scriptures.)

Many Religions Allow Multiple Wives

(Quote from YEA newsletter) We know that there are many religions that allow men to have more than one wife. Sadly, there are some who have entered into the body of Messiah lately who are justifying such a lifestyle. (End of quote)

What the Word and Law Allows

The only laws that were changed, as taught by the elders in the Assemblies of YAHUAH, are those rituals pertaining to the animal sacrifices, as YAHUAH-Yahushua became our sacrifice once and for all, and those pertaining to ritual cleanliness and physical circumcision.

If you seek to do away with the laws pertaining to polyganist marriages, then you might as well throw out one or more of the 10 commandments as well. So then you might as well throw out all 10 commandments and live lawlessly as the Christians do. We cannot pick and choose which of YAHUAH's laws we want to follow. This is wrong.

Examples from the Law

There are several laws from within scripture either commanding polygany, or providing instruction for those in polyganous marriages. They are as follows. As you read these, remember that YAHUAH cannot sin and therefore cannot condone or instruct men in how to sin. It is against his very nature. Ps 99:9 Exalt YAHUAH our Elohim, and worship at His holy hill; for YAHUAH our Elohim is holy. (Kodesh) KJV

Example #1:

Exodus 21:10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish. KJV

This word was given to Moshe by YAHUAH and is retold to the people of Israel immediately following the 10 commandments. It does not say that if a man take him another wife, that he is wrong and should get rid of one of them! The absence of YAHUAH's condemnation of a man taking another wife is acceptance of the practice. Not only does He NOT say that this is wrong, and wouldn't this have been a good opportunity to do it, but he gives commands to govern just exactly how a man should treat a first wife when he takes another one.

Proponents of monogamous only marriages that this scripture indicates that YAHUAH accepted this behaviour at this time because men did not have the Set-Apart Spirit and because of the hardness of their hearts. They do not realise that what they are saying is that YAHUAH allowed a sin, and then gave instruction for HOW a man should behave in the sinful act. How preposterous! If it had been a sin, YAHUAH would have said so directly. He cannot even draw near unto a sinful person, which is why we need YAHUAH-Yeshua's blood covering, and never would he condone or instruct a person to sin. It is totally against His Holy nature for this to be true. The true believer should just take scripture for what it is says. YAHUAH allowed men to have more than one wife and chose to regulate their behaviour in the marriage. It was allowable then and it is allowable now.

These proponent of monogamous only marriages would also have you believe by this statement that men like Moshe, Avraham, David and others had hard hearts or did not have the Set-Apart Spirit. Scriptures will prove that this is untrue. These men, who lived polyganous lives did indeed have the Spirit and were not described as having "hardness of heart". You will also see that they will be in YAHUAH's Kingdom, because they were considered righteous in spite of having more than one wife.

Example #2:

Deut 17:16-17 But he [the King] shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as YAHUAH hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart not turn away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. KJV

Anti-polyganists claim that this scripture teaches against a man having more than one wife, but I submit that, just as verse 16 does not mean that a King cannot have more than one horse ("he shall not multiply horses to himselft"), then verse 17 does not mean that a King cannot have more than one wife. Again, the law seeks not to condemn a man for having more than one wife, but to regulate the acceptable practice of having more than one wife.

This scripture simply states that a man should not take too many wives, as it might corrupt the man, just as having too much money might corrupt a man. The sin is not in having too many wives or too much money, but in letting it corrupt the soul. Notice it said nothing about "adding wives", only about "multiplying" them.

Example #3:

Deut 21:15-17 If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated: Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn: But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for his is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. KJV

The first 6 words of this portion of the Torah says it all..."If a man have two wives...". He does not have Moshe finish the scripture by saying "then he has sinned and should get rid of one". This verse is an instruction in the Law itself to any man with "two wives". If polygany was a sin, then it would not be possible for a "man to have two wives" in the Law.

The subject is concernin the firstborn male, but in the process it discusses the clearly acceptable act of a man have more than one wife. Again, the law seeks to regulate the practice, but does not condemn it.

Example #4:

Deut 22:28, 29 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days. KJV

This law governs the case of a man, taking advantage of a virgin and stipulates that if he lies with her then he must marry her. At NO point does it say that this applies only to single men or men who have not yet married. In the case of a man already married, who lay with a virgin, he would be commanded to take her as a second wife.

This is a case of the law commanding polygany in certain circumstances. Now, it would be a sin if a man in this circumstance if he did NOT marry the virgin, but it is not a sin to marry the virgin without regard to whether she is his first wife or a subsequent wife.

Another angle on this law is that it is written to protect the women, who in this circumstance may not be able to find another man who would marry her because she is no longer a virgin. If this law did not apply to a man already married, then it only "halfway" protected the women. However, YAHUAH does not do things "halfway". Just as in examples 1, and 3 in the previous page and the upcoming example 5, these laws were written for the protection of women and to make men, whether single or married, be responsible for their actions.

Example #5:

Deut 25:5 If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. KJV

Again, in this circumstance, the law does not specify that only unmarried brothers were to marry their dead brother's wife. Those opposed to polygany say that this means that the brother is just to take care of the dead brother's wife. However, in numerous ways the scripture clearly detonates marriage to the dead brother's wife and all that is involved in the marriage union. The words "go in" unto her in verse 5 is from Strong's #935 "bo" as used also in describing the "going in" or sinking of the sun down into the horizon at the end of the day.

This is clearly a representative of the sexual act. Besides that, it states clearly that the reason for taking the dead brother's wife in marriage is to "perform the duty of an husband's brother" which is the marriage act designated to create children for the dead brother and prevent his name from being lost. This phrase "to perform the duty of an husband's brother" is so significant and carries so much meaning that in the Hebrew it is a single word, yabam, from Strong's #2992 and is very specific as to it's meaning and understanding.

The argument that the living brother is merely feeding and clothing the dead brother's wife does not hold any water. And, since it does not specify only that "single" brothers must marry a dead brother's wife, there could be instances when this law will cause a polyganous marriage (such as if all brothers are already married). Therefore I ask you, can the Law which is Holy and Good cause evil or sin? We all know that it cannot, therefore, having more than one wife must not be against the Law or sinful. YAHUAH would never have issued this command if this were so.

Example #6:

Lev 18:18 And you shall not marry a woman in addition to her sister as a rival while she is alive, to uncover her nakedness. NAS

This portion of the Torah again seeks to control "who" or "for what reason" a man takes an additional wife, not "whether" he can take a second wife. If it were against YAHUAH's Law to have 2 wives, then this scripture would be totally extraneous, would it not?

Why would the law say not to marry sisters if it was against the law to have more than one wife at all? Do you believe that any of YAHUAH's word is extraneous? It was allowed for a man to take a second wife, and even a sister to the first wife, but NOT for the purpose of "vexing" or causing a rivalry between sisters.

Example #7:

Deut 23:2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of YAHUAH; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of YAHUAH. KJV

Based on the above verse, illegitimate children were unable to enter the congregation of Israel for ten generations. If polygany was wrong, then the offspring would be illegitimate, and therefore, then the entire nation of Israel (and YAHUAH's own people) would not have been able to enter into the congregation of Israel since Jacob/Israel had multiple wives and all his children came from his polyganous relationships. Also, David had other wives before Bathshebe, Solomon's mother. Therefore, if having multiple wives was wrong, then Solomon, King of Israel and an ancestor of YAHUAH-Yahushua, couldn't have been a part of the congregation of Israel. Since this cannot be possible, you must admit that polygany is not wrong.

Question by YAHUAH's standard how is truth established? I will make mention of 3 scriptures.

#1 Deut 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

#2 Deut 19:5 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

#3 John 8:17-18 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of Me.

There are many other scriptures that confirm this standard of measure to establish the truth of a matter. From the beginning of the Holy Scriptures to the ending you see this example left to us to follow.

Notice that YAHUAH-Yeshua the son of YAHUAH always had his witnesses when he performed His greatest miracles, the 2 Greatest miracles that come to mind are The Mount of Transfiguration and the Resurrection of the young damsel, YAHUAH-Yeshuah has James, John and Peter to testify that He was indeed the Messiah. Isaiah 8:20 To the Law (Torah) and to the Testimony (Nevium): if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Why the Assembly Does Not Allow

The above laws from the Torah are instruction from YAHUAH. And I remind you again that this is the same YAHUAH who does NOT change (Mal 3:6). Why the author of the YEA article would disgress from this oft repeated, tried and true teaching of the Assemblies is probably due to the sensitivity of this subject and the prevalent negative attitude of the assemblies towards anyone speaking favorably of or practicing these beliefs.

Not to mention the fact that the thought of a plural, biblical marriage is probably way outside any "doctrinal comfort zone". (A phrase coined by a Brother in Oregon) By defintion, this is the place in which a person is willing to accept YAHUAH's word as long as it does not violate too many things that the individual considers "normal" given the world he grew up in and currently lives in.

If YAHUAH's word appears to go outside this "normal" area, then the individual stops and backtracks and tries to redifine what YAHUAH must have meant and is unable to progress outside this comfort zone. Another way of saying this is to say that we can only try to understand YAHUAH by forcing him into the frame of how we see the world. This is wrong.

This is what happened to my mother when I approached her with keeping the 7^th Day Sabbath. The thought was just too foreign to her and she could not progress outside the keeping of Sunday worship, or the world she was comfortable with. I admit it is very difficult and painful to progress past our doctrinal comfort zones.

But how presumptuous is it for us to force YAHUAH, in all His magnificent omniscience, inside our own western ideals and morals. If we were raised in any of the number of countries which allow and practice polyganous marriages, then perhaps our understanding YAHUAH's point of view on this subject would not be so difficult.

Western Idea of "Monogamous" Marriage – Where Did It Come From?

So how did western cultures get so caught up in the correctness of monogamous marriages and so sure that polyganous marriages were wrong? As is the case when we research so many other topics, we find the grimy hand of the Roman Catholic Church involved. It was the Roman custom to have only one wife, and it can be seen that it was a form of "queen of heaven" worship, with all its romancing of the woman by the man, with the man pursuing the woman, getting down on one knee (in worship) to propose marriage, etc, This would have been the man bowing down to the woman, putting her up on a pedestal, and giving her the pre-eminent role in the relationship. This is clearly (idolatry) and was seen in the worship of Diana and Aphrodite, and many other satan-induced feminine goddesses.This is not what YAHUAH intended as He makes it clear that the woman was created second to be a helper to the man, and is to submit to him in all things.

It was the Catholic Church who brought about forced monogamy, the unscriptual in dissolvable marriage as opposed to the "marriage contract", and kept the pagan practice of celibate priests. In the Levitical priesthood, marriage was pretty much required for Rabbis. As is many things, we find the Church doing and enforcing the opposite of what YAHUAH intended. No one should be more aware of this than the members of the Assemblies of YAHUAH today who have made it their life's ambition to come out of the false mystery Babylon religion which is Christianity. This also should involve putting aside Christian-based falsehoods against a man having multiple wives.

Another Restoration of YAHUAH's Truths vs Christian Apostasy

This study is just another revealing of YAHUAH's truths intended to bring His people out of false religion, to come full circle and back to Him and His ways at the end of the age. Remember that His ways are higher than ours and beyond our understanding. His truth is in His word and His word is settled in the heavens. This is all we have to go by today. Read the laws outlined in the previous pages again and see for yourself that YAHUAH does NOT condemn a man taking multiple wives, but at times, He even commands it for the Torah-abiding citizen.

Tearing Down Strongholds or Accepting Uncomfortable Truths

As in many other cases, we believers have had to struggle with the many new truths YAHUAH is revealing today through us.

For the word of YAHUAH is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12)

This is often exactly how we feel when trying to change a belief that we have long held dear, like our soul and spirit are being torn in two. Nevertheless, YAHUAH requires that we bear witness of His word, His ways and His truth. Do not let previously learned Christian doctrines keep you from discovering more and more of YAHUAH's ways and YAHUAH's point of view on this subject.

Matthew 19:3-9

(continued quote from YEA article)

But again, YAHUAH-Yahusha our High Priest and Mediator said, "Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh."

Notice that! He only made one man and one woman in the beginning. He also said that a man should cleave to his wife and they twain shall be one flesh. For those who can't seem to understand mathematics, "twain" means "two," not three or more. The only way a marriage should become three or more is through the process of gendering children (end of quote from YEA article)

The author in this statement quotes from Matthew 19:3-9 which incidentally is not discussing marriage either monogamous or polygamous, but is discussing divorce. This seems to be a popular scripture to be used against polygany, but it is a most weak argument as this is not the subject of the scripture, and the use of it here is out of context totally.

The author of the YEA article quotes from another Elder on page 13 of his newsletter saying that we should always be certain that the scripture we are studying is "about" or is "discussing" the subject at hand, and then forgets to apply this to his own scriptural reference. The subject was clearly divorce and not marriage. Any inferences made about marriages are just that "inferences", and these are fine as long as they do not contradict any other specifically worded laws of YAHUAH pertaining to the true subject, marriages with more than one wife. However, since this is the only scripture used by the author of the YEA article, we look at it in detail to discern its meaning.

"Ervat Devar" – The 1,000 Year Argument on Deut 24:1

The topic in question is Matthew 19:3 had to do with an ongoing discussion or argument between the two predominant factions within the Jewish ranks pertaining to what was meant by "some uncleanness" or "ervat devar" in Deut 24:1. This argument had been no clear cut agreement as to its meaning in all this time.

Deut 24:1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some (devar) uncleanness (ervat) in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. KJV

Upon the understanding of this term hinged for what reasons a man could break his marriage contract with his wife and the disagreement had been going on for a very long time. One school, Shammai, taught that a man could not break his marriage except for fornication(which has multiple meanings beyond just adultery) and the other school, Hillel, taught that the term could mean just about anything that the man didn't like about his wife. These two factions brought their question concerning divorce to YAHUAH-Yeshua to see what he would say about divorce.

One thing is certain, "Some uncleanness" or "ervat devar" does not mean adultery. If it meant adultery, then the law as written in Deut 24:1 would conflict with the law that says an adulterer should be stoned to death (Lev 20:10, Deut 22:22-23). Why would a man need to write a divorcement, put it in the hand of his wife, and send her out of his house if she was dead from being labelled an adulteress and stoned to death? The meaning of "ervat devar" then is something other than adultery, and is obviously something less serious than adultery as it warranted a divorce, but not death.

An in depth word study on this extremely tough scripture will show that this was most likely a case where a woman was exposing herself physically and/or spiritually, possibly by not veiling herself. "Ervat" (Strong's OT:6172) means physical nudity or figuratively to uncover or make naked, shame disgrace or uncleanness. "Devar" (Strong's OT:1697) means to speak a word, a matter, a thing, or a cause. On the physical aspects, we can see clearly that in biblical days a woman did not appear in public without a veil. It was viewed as being the same as if her pudenda were exposed. Only prostitutes went about unveiled, and any woman who did this would certainly be disobeying, disgracing and dishonouring her husband and her YAHUAH-ordained Head. See Adam Clark's Commentary on 1 Cor. 11:5.

On the spiritual level, it can be seen that failure or refusal to wear a veil was blatant insubordination (See Barnes Notes) and that by taking off her covering she was indicating her withdrawal from her husband's power. Her rebellion against her husband and YAHUAH is a form of idolatry and/or adultery. In scripture these are considered as much the same thing. She was guilty of not putting her "head" first. She was also rebelling against his authority, which is likened to witchcraft (1 Sam 15:23). This could cause widespread disobedience throughout his house, and it was for this reason he was allowed to divorce her. This can be seen in much the same way as YAHUAH telling the people to put evil out of Israel. In this case, he allows the husband with a rebellious wife, who refuses to remain under his physical and/or spiritual headship/covering, to put the evil out of his house. By going about naked or unveiled (by biblical standards) she was refusing to remain under her husband's spiritual covering, and this was a very serious matter.

Also compare this to the New Testament scripture 1Cor 11:5 which says that is a shame ("ervat"=shame or disgrace) for a woman to pray or prophesy ("devar" – meaning speak a word) without a covering. Also study the term "porneia" (Strong's NT:4202) which is translated "fornication" for which a man is allowed to divorce a woman in the New Testament. Porneia figuratively means idolatry!

Therefore, a man can divorce a man for adultery or idolatry (OT:5003 and NT:4202) which arises from her rebellion or apostatising from his authority (OT:6586 and NT:5293) which causes his dishonour, shame or disgrace (OT6172 and NT:2617) all arising from the woman refusing to cover her head while speaking a word to or about YAHUAH or refusing to remain under her husband's headship.

For clarity I will repeat this in reverse. For a woman to uncover her head or refuse her husband's headship = equals dishonour, shame, disgrace = equals rebellion or to break from authority or apostatize = equals idolatry/adultery/fornication = equals grounds for divorce, both in the Original and Renewed covenants. These are common interpretations by most Bible commentaries, resolve all conflicts between the original and new Covenants grounds for divorce and give the best plausible explanation for the meaning of Deut 24:1 in light of the New Covenant grounds for divorce. No strained exegesis is necessary. The woman can clearly remarry, Deut 24:2, because she could have learned her lesson from the first divorce and repented of her spiritual rebellion. She may not, however, return to the first husband.

In summary, the wife in Deut 24:1 did not commit physical adultery or she would have been stoned, but she may have committed spiritual adultery/idolatry/rebellion for which she could be legally divorced, but then could remarry later.

Genesis 2:24

YAHUAH-Yahusha's quote in Matthew 19:5 comes from Genesis 2:24.

Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. KJV

In this scripture, YAHUAH has just completed the making of Eve from Adam's rib and now gives the woman to Adam and instructs that all men are to leave the companionship of their parents and instead become joined to a woman. Does this imply only one woman? Not specifically.

Remember that scripture must harmonise, and if this implies only one wife, then this conflicts with the 5 or 6 examples of when keeping the Law or Torah could cause a man to have to take more than one wife. Since scripture must harmonise, Gen 2:24 cannot mean that a man can only take one wife, because the law in 5 places says otherwise. Remember also that 2 or more witnesses establishes all things. There are no witnesses in the Torah that specifically say that a man can only have one wife, or that taking more than one is wrong. Simply none.

We have to ask ourselves, therefore, would YAHUAH give Moshe a conflicting command? Would YAHUAH cause Moshe to write something that would violate the Torah? If YAHUAH's word is infallible, and "written in the heavens forever" then it cannot change and it cannot contradict itself.

Also remember that Moshe was YAHUAH's chosen servant, YAHUAH's handpicked leader of all Israel, the ONLY man YAHUAH talked with "face to face", and the one YAHUAH chose to write down the words in Gen 2:24. This same Moshe was a polyganist! Would YAHUAH choose a man who had multiple wives himself, to write down words saying that a man could NOT have multiple wives? Now that would be confusion! Anyone saying that the meaning of Gen 2:24 is that a man can only have one wife, knowing that the man YAHUAH specifically chose to write down the words had multiple wives is clearly confused and we all know that confusion is of the devil. Also, remember that in Numbers 12 YAHUAH reminds Aaron and Miriam that Moshe was the only man, of all the prophets, to whom YAHUAH spoke face to face with, and in clear sentences. This means that Moshe, of all the men in the world, knew YAHUAH best as YAHUAH spoke to him directly and clearly, and if he had multiple wives, then I am certain that he knew that is was acceptable to YAHUAH. YAHUAH also warns against speaking against his servant Moshe, the polyganist... so be forewarned.

What does "one flesh" mean

There are 3 basic understandings of the phrase "one flesh". One is in the physical understanding. In simplest terms, this phrase means to join the flesh as in sexual intercourse. Throughout the Old and Renewed Covenants this phrase refers to sexual unions. Paul speaks of a man who sleeps with a prostitute as being "one flesh" with her. (1Cor 6:16-17). If the man that Paul speaks of is a married man then he is also "one flesh" with his wife, through the act of sex, although he is also "one flesh" with a prostitute. Therefore, he can and is "one flesh" with more than one woman.

The point is the "one flesh" does not imply a mutually exclusive relationship. A man can have more than one wife and be "one flesh" with each of them respectively according to Paul's explanation.

Secondly, there is a spiritual understanding of "one flesh". In 1 Cor 6:17, each believer is described as being "joined to" or "one flesh" with Messiah. You may very well be "one flesh" with Messiah, but that does not preclude my also being "one flesh" with Messiah. Here we see that Messiah's spiritual union with many members of His body is not unlike a plural marriage, and of course, no sin is ever attached to our Messiah and Saviour. Messiah is capable of being joined with me and with you in the same spiritual sense. This spiritual understanding could be likened to a mother's relationship with multiple children. Her unity or oneness with one child does not exclude her from being united with other children in the same manner. In this sense, a man can also be "one flesh" or in spiritual unity with more than one wife.

And third, there is an understanding of "one flesh" in terms of the extended family or kinship that was experienced in biblical days. Marriage was the joining of whole families, clans and tribes and not just between a man and a woman. Marriage was a social arrangement that provided for the preservation, continuation and protection of families and clans against physical or spiritual attacks from outsiders.

In this sense, a man could be "one flesh" or could offer kinship protection to more than one wife. This is still important and relative today as there are more women in the assemblies of YAHUAH than men, and these women that have been victimised either by the ignorance or uncaring of today's world really need this type of kinship protection from within the assemblies.

Therefore, based on the foregoing understanding of the term "one flesh" we can see that it does not imply an exclusive relationship, and that a man can be "one flesh" or joined with or united with more than one woman in a physical, family and spiritual manner.

EXAMPLES OF OUR FOREFATHERS

(Quote from YEA Article) Some have asked about the situation with Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, and what about Jacob and his two wives and two concubines, and David and Solomon with all their wives and concubines.

They had more than one woman and YAHUAH seemingly didn't condemn them for it. (End of quote from YEA article-emphasis mine.)

This is one of two statements that this author made that is definitely true. YAHUAH clearly, not seemingly, but clearly, did not condemn these men for having more than one wife. In fact, he did not EVER condemn them at any point for having more than one wife, a fact the YEA author should have taken into account before he begins his condemnation of Abraham, as well as the rest of these righteous men before YAHUAH.

Abraham's Example

(Quote from YEA Article) Even though Abraham was YAHUAH's friend and was righteous, he made a grievous mistake when he went into Hagar. He sired a child that he thought would become his heir and so did the child. But the child of promise was Isaac, not Ishmael.

Ishmael hated Isaac and had to be cast out of his father's house because had he remained, he surely would have slain the child. The world is still suffering from the hatred and jealousy that the descendents of Ishmael have for the children of Isaac. (End of quote from YEA article-emphasis mine)

Does the author of the YEA article realise that he just when where YAHUAH would not? He just condemned Abraham for marrying Hagar, when YAHUAH did not. He then blames Abraham for all that the Jews suffered down through the years, from the medieval catholic anti-Jewish persecutions and killings, to the Nazi holocaust, to all that they are suffering today due to the Middle East conflict. What a horrible thing to say about Abraham.

The author of the YEA Article also says in the same paragraph that Abraham "was righteous". Well, which is it? If marrying a second wife, Hagar, was so horrible that it caused all this evil against Israel then that would be unrighteous. However, there is no question that Abraham was indeed a righteous man, even in having more than one wife, as YAHUAH's word defends him very clearly and strongly.

Gen 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes and my laws. KJV

What could be more simple or plain than this? Abraham had 3 wives and yet in Gen 26:5 YAHUAH says that Abraham kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes and my laws. Clearly then, having at least 3 wives is within YAHUAH's Law, otherwise, YAHUAH would have been lying, which we know is not possible.

Isa 51:1-2 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek YAHUAH: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. KJV

Matt 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. KJV

Did The Father of Us All Make a "Grievous Mistake" in Marrying Hagar?

I question the statement the author makes that Abraham "made a grievous mistake when he went into Hagar". I think the scripture will bear out that all the evil that has befallen Israel is due to their disobedience.

This evil has nothing to do with Abraham taking a second wife. All of these events are a part of YAHUAH's plan who creates evil as well as good (Is 45:7), and also due to the evil that is inherent in man's heart. To judge Abraham and find him guilty of causing all the pain and suffering of all Israelites because he practised polygany is dangerous ground indeed. YAHUAH alone is the Judge and he judged Abraham to be righteous in spite of having more than one wife. A wise man would not argue otherwise.

Yishmael – YAHUAH will Hear

By looking to the scriptures, we can see that Yishmael (Ishmael), contrary to what the author from YEA would have you believe, was blessed of YAHUAH, made fruitful, was multiplied, and circumcised. YAHUAH was with him and made him a great nation. Now, does that sound like a mistake? Even Yishmael's name (YAHUAH will hear) implies a strong relationship with YAHUAH.

Gen 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelves princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. KJV

Gen 17:26 In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son. KJV

Gen 16:11 And the angel of YAHUAH said unto her (Hagar), Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because YAHUAH hath heard thy affliction. KJV

Yes, Ishmael became a wild man as scripture says and his descendents have persecuted YAHUAH's chosen people all these years, but to blame this on Abraham is clearly wrong. And to say that it is because he took a second wife is doubly wrong. Since YAHUAH did not judge Abraham for taking a second wife, or fathering Ishmael, then who are we to think to do so?

We who are yet alive have not yet gained the Kingdom, but it has been sealed in YAHUAH's word that Abraham, who is already at rest, will be in YAHUAH's kingdom. Dare any of us speak against YAHUAH's chosen?

Abraham's Third Wife – Gen 25

Abraham had three (3) wives in all, although this fact is not often discussed. The lineage of each of the 3 wives children are equally listed in scripture and as was the custom, only the children of the "free" wife was given an inheritance. In this case, Isaac. The children of the "bond" women who became his wives were only given gifts. Nowhere in scripture is this third marriage, or the offspring from it condemned or questioned by YAHUAH either.

Abraham's Attributes

To summarise, Abraham was a "friend of YAHUAH", believed on YAHUAH which was counted unto him as righteousness, he is the Father of us all, the father of many nations, followed YAHUAH on faith, is going to a city that YAHUAH has prepared for him, and many, many other great things.

I do not recall any negative statements about Abraham in the scriptures. He must have been and should still be considered a very great man and one we would naturally look to for examples. Including the example of a man having more than one wife. It must have been acceptable to YAHUAH as he blessed him in all ways.

Is 51:2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you; for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. KJV

This unscriptural attack on the character of Abraham, our father, all based on a misguided, westernised and christianised belief that polygany is wrong is the true "grievous mistake".

Jacob's Example – The Father of YAHUAH's Chosen People

(Quote from YEA article) Jacob took two wives, but each was vying for his favour over the other. Since Rachel's womb hadn't been opened, she gave him her handmaid to bear children for her and therefore, find favour in his eyes. Then Leah became jealous and gave him her handmaid so she could find more favour. The struggle between the two didn't cease until Rachel died in childbirth. But even then, thee was strife and jealousy among the children. (End of quote from YEA article)

As with Abraham, the author of the YEA article continues his condemnation of our forefathers going next to Jacob, all in the name of defending his erroneous belief that polygany is wrong. How do you condemn the Father of YAHUAH's Chosen people? When Jacob's name was changed to Yisrael, it was changed from supplanter to "One who rules with El". Who would want to speak evil of a man who is said to rule with YAHUAH, or that is clearly portrayed as being in the Kingdom to come? See Matthew 8:11 quoted above.

There are several misguided statements made here about Jacob and his wives that warrant comment. First, a woman's value was in her ability to give her husband children. What Rachel did in giving Jacob her handmaid was normal and acceptable.

It was not a contest with Leah, but a desire to please and serve her husband that led her to do this honourable thing. (This was biblical surrogate motherhood.) If it were dishonourable, then there must be scriptures that say so, but there are none. All women should work so hard to please and serve their husbands.

Since Leah had already given Jacob more children than Rachel, I do not understand why she would give Jacob her handmaid as well. Perhaps it is not for me to see, however, I don't see how this makes polygany wrong. If the wife of a monogamous man is jealous of another woman, does it make monogamy wrong? Of course not. That is absurd. So is stating that jealousy between wives makes polygany wrong.

Along the same lines, to imply that the ongoing strife and jealousy among the children was due to the fact that the marriage was polyganous is also absurd. Does anyone know of any family anywhere whose children are not at one time or another jealous over each other and that are without strife? If you blame the polyganous marriage for the jealousy and strife of the children, then you would have to find that monogamy is wrong as well since children in those marriages also fight and are jealous.

David's Example – Many Wives are a Blessing from YAHUAH

(Quote from YEA article) Look at the problems David suffered with his many wives and children even though he was a man after YAHUAH's heart. (End of quote)

David is reported by the scriptures to be "a man after YAHUAH's own heart" (1 Sam 13:14). The word "heart" in Hebrew also has the meaning of wisdom, understanding, courageous and merciful. So, it can be said that David has wisdom and understanding like unto YAHUAH's, and yet he had many wives and concubines. Never did YAHUAH condemn him for this, and in fact, YAHUAH IS THE ONE WHO GAVE HIM THE WIVES of Saul and would have given him more wives. Now would YAHUAH give a man something that was a sin for him to have? No way!

2 Sam 12:8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. KJV

Adultery is Sinful, Not the Additional Wife

The scripture tells us that David did sin in his adultery with Bathsheba and in having her husband, Uriah killed. It never says that it was a sin for him to marry her although he had other wives already. If it had been a sin for him to have multiple wives wouldn't the scriptures have just said so right along with these other sins that David committed? The scripture does not call multiple wives a sin because clearly it isn't.

1 Kings 15:5 Because David did that which was right in the eyes of YAHUAH, and turned not aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. KJV

Notice that it says that the only thing David did that was wrong in YAHUAH's eyes was the adultery against and murder of Uriah the Hittite. It says clearly that everything else that David did was right in YAHUAH's eyes including having multiple wives. This scripture alone speaks volumes about YAHUAH's acceptance of polygany.

While it was wrong of David to commit adultery and murder that does not make his polyganous practices wrong. If so, then a man who has only one wife and who commits adultery or murder also makes monogamy wrong.

David also claims in 1 Chronicles 28:5 that YAHUAH had given him many sons. Those who insist on monogamy would say in fact that those children were the fruit of adultery and therefore illegitimate. However, we know that is not the case since YAHUAH gave them to him.

Acts 13:22 "...raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also He gave testimony, and said "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will."

In YAHUAH's own words, he says that David fulfilled all his will. How many other men has YAHUAH said this about? Not many, and although David had many wives, YAHUAH does not criticise him for this.

Solomon's Example – A Heart Problem, Not a Wife Problem

(Quote from YEA article) Then, his [David's] son Solomon outdid them all with 700 wives and 300 concubines. The sad thing is that his many wives turned his heart away from YAHUAH to the destructive practice of idolatry. (End of quote)

While Solomon is called the wisest man in the Kingdom, he does appear to be guilty of violating the law of not multiplying horses and foreign wives to himself. (Deut 17:17) The scriptures never says that he repented, which in the end is what caused him to fall away from YAHUAH. However, Solomon's relationship with YAHUAH was up to him, and not his wives. If he chose to turn away from YAHUAH, then it was not their fault, nor the fault of the polyganous marriage. If so, then a man who has only one wife and subsequently turns away from YAHUAH would make monogamy wrong as well. This would mean that nobody is allowed to marry and we know that is wrong. The fault was in Solomon's heart, not in his marriage.

SUMMARY OF REFUTATION OF YEA ARTICLE

(Quote from YEA article) The old adage "Two's a company three's a crowd" certainly applies in marriage. When there is more than one woman in a marriage, there is jealousy. Each woman wants to be the most favoured over the others. Each will struggle to get the upper hand over the others. A man can't help but show favouritism which leads to problems.

Even though YAHUAH did allow for more than one marriage in Torah (He knew what is on the heart of most men and women), under the New Covenant, YAHUAH-Yahushua only made provision for a marriage consisting of one man and one woman. Read it for yourselves and believe and follow what your own Mediator and High Priest, YAHUAH-Yeshua. (End of YEA article)

The final two paragraphs of the YEA article contain the author's own personal opinions, except for his second true statement in his entire article. "Even though YAHUAH did provide for more than one marriage in the Torah..." STOP. If this is true, which the author definitely says it is, then why write this article against what YAHUAH provided? YAHUAH provided...is that not enough? The author proves himself wrong in this single statement.

Why go against what YAHUAH provided for...? Should we go against what YAHUAH provided for because people have a tendency to be of one another? To eradicate jealousy, we would have limit our friendships to only one, our childbearing to only one, and the number of wives to none, etc., etc., and yet we could not eliminate jealousy, could we?

Can we eliminate hate, bigotry, racial discrimination, murder, abortion or any of a host of other endless evil human faults by having only one wife? What does this have to do with whether having more than one wife is acceptable before YAHUAH?

Clearly the YEA article is based on opinion and not scripture. Only one scripture was offered in defense of the author's opinion and it was not even on the subject of polyganous marriage.

This article ignores the fact that YAHUAH changes not; that YAHUAH-Yahushua did not change the Torah, that the Torah provides for and regulates polyganous marriages, and it erronously applies invalid conclusions and double standards to polygany.

The author criticises men already chosen to be in YAHUAH's kingdom, when he himself has not yet attained that goal. He judges Abraham, the Father of all the Israelites, as guilty of all the hatred and crimes against the Israelites down through the ages. He blames Solomon's failing of his wives, and yet, the man is instructed to be the head of his own family. Wasn't Solomon responsible for his own behaviour?

He even states that YAHUAH-Yahushua changed the Law, which is something I never thought I would hear a Yahwist say. In my years in the Assemblies of YAHUAH, this is the only time I have heard this said. On ALL other subjects, but this one, it is taught that YAHUAH-Yahushua did not come to change the law, but to magnify it. Why change now? Why change with regard to this matter except that thinking about a man having more than one wife is just so contrary to OUR westernised,paganised, christianisedways.

In the words of a dear sister "This is a spiritual study, a purely natural mind won't get anything out of it. We must change!" Although this quote was originally pertaining as to why we should drink wine in the Passover cup, it applies equally well to this subject. We must strive to see this subject through YAHUAH's eyes as we only see dimly through our own at this point.

We must not lean on our own understanding. We must remember that YAHUAH's ways are NOT our own. His ways are above us, and sometimes way over our heads. This is probably most true in discussing the matter of polyganous marriage. We must let go of all preconceived notions and let YAHUAH's spirit guide us in this clearly spiritual matter.

This article contained 2 true statements, and I quote "YAHUAH seemingly didn't condemn them [Abraham, Jacob, David and Solomon] for it [having multiple wives]", and "Even though YAHUAH did provide for more than one marriage in the Torah...". Thea author should have stopped right there. Why would anyone quote from YAHUAH's Law, and then turn around and choose to argue against this clear word of YAHUAH.

ADDITIONAL STUDY ON POLYGANY

Other Arguments presented by Anti-Polyganists

Argument #1:

1 Corinthians 7:2 Let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

Monogamists often quote this scripture as teaching against polygany. However, the Greek words used for "his own" and "her own" are different, and not just in gender, therefore allowing for the possibility that different rules apply to the different sexes. In fact, the Greek word for "her own" in this passage is used in Romans 14:2 to represent a servant and "his own" and his only master. Paul could have used the same word twice in 1 Corinthians 7, but chose not to. This shows that a man belongs to his wife in the same sense as a master belonging to his servant. A servant can have only one master, but a master can have many servants. In the same way, a woman can have only one husband, but a man can have many wives. The use of different Greek words here, when the same word could have been used actually supports polygany.

Argument #2:

1 Tim 3:2 A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one (Strong's #3391) wife, vigilant; sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; KJV

1 Tim 3:12 Let the deacons be husbands of one (Strong's #3391) wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. KJV

Titus 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one (Strong's #3391) wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. KJV

The Greek word "mia" used for "one" in the above scriptures (Strong's NT: 3391) can also mean "a" or "first". Therefore these verses could be saying that a Bishop must be married to (at least) "one" wife, or "a" wife, or the "first" wife, but it does not specifically say that they cannot have more than one wife. These scriptures could also mean that he must be married to his first wife, i.e. that he cannot have divorced his first wife if or when he took another wife.

If the author had wanted these verses to clearly mean that a bishop could only have one and only one wife, then he would have more likely used the Greek word "heis" (Strong's NT: 1520) instead which instead means "a primary numeral; one". The Greek word "heis" is used 282 times and is always the numeral "one". If the author had clearly meant to portray the meaning of only "one" (singular) wife, it is possible that he would have used "heis" instead of "mia".

The word "mia" (Strong's NT:3391) is translated as "first" 8 times including: Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:2, Luke 24:1, John 20:1, John 20:19, Acts 20:7, 1Cor 16:2, and Titus 3:10. Therefore, it is possible that the above scriptures could be rendered "first" wife. If this is the meaning, then these scriptures teach that a Bishop must still be married to his first wife, having not put her away or divorced her for any reason, including if he took another wife which is in no way prohibited herein. And if it were allowed for a bishop, then it would have been allowed for members as well.

It has been asked the the translaters did not just translate "mia" as "first" if that was the meaning. We can only postulate that by the time the Greek writers were translating the original Hebrew New Covenat letters into Greek that they had already adopted the pagan, Roman practice of monogamous only marriages. As we all know, apostasy began very early as reported by several New Covenant writers. "The mystery of lawlessness was already at work" just a few years following YAHUAH-Yahushua's death, burial and resurrection. This prevalent, pagan belief in monogamous marriages would have necessarily "coloured" the opinion and translation of efforts of any Greek writer.

Even if a person holds to the belief that these scriptures mean that a leader in the assembly cannot have more than "one" (singular) wife, then it is inferred that it must be acceptable for the regular members to have more than one wife. Otherwise, why say this at all? Either way, whether it means only "one" wife for bishops, or means that the Bishops must still be married to their "first" wife, it actually proves that polygany is acceptable, for at least the members, if not the leadership.

So Many Examples

There are many other examples of spirit-filled men and women in the scriptures who participated in polyganous marriages and whom YAHUAH blessed. The list is too long to be fully included in this article, but a few are mentioned here.

Moshe [Moses]

It is written that YAHUAH-Yahusha would come as a prophet like unto Moshe. If YAHUAH-Yahusha is like Moshe, and Moshe is a polyganist, then YAHUAH-Yahusha (J-sus) is being likened unto a polyganist. As we all know, YAHUAH-Yahusha is sinless and therefore nothing sinful can be attributed to him. And in truth, he does marry the assembly made up of multiple members (you and I), which can be likened unto multiple wives in a marriage covenant with one man.

Moshe also has the distinction of being the ONLY prophet whom YAHUAH says he talked with "face to face". Exo 12:1-12. YAHUAH reports that he did not speak to him in "dark sentences" or hard to understand phrases, but that he told him plainly what the rules were. Therefore, this man, who personally talked face to face with YAHUAH, must have known clearly and without a doubt that it was acceptable for him to have more than one wife.

Remember that when Aaron and Miriam questioned him on this issue that they were judged wrong by YAHUAH, and not Moshe. This would have been a great opportunity, if YAHUAH did not like polygany, for him to have supported Aaron and Miriam against Moshe, but he did not.

He reminded them that it was to Moshe that he spoke and then he punished Miriam severely with leprosy. Why Miriam? Perhaps it was because she was primarily the one that brought up an argument against the issue of Moshe marrying another wife. It could have been because she was Ethiopian, or it could have been because she was a second wife, the scriptures does not say why Aaron and Miriam made a fuss. We can only surmise, however, it is clear that YAHUAH doesn't like it when people mess with His Moshe!

Here is the entire story straight from YAHUAH's word. It has so much to say in support of Moshe and indirectly in support of plural marriages. It should also serve as a warning against those who would say that plural marriages and THOSE THAT PRACTICE THEM ARE SINNING. YAHUAH got very angry with Aaron and Miriam for speaking against HIS servant, Moshe!

Num 12:1-15 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moshe because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. (Remember he was already married to Zipporah in Ex 2:21) 2 And they said, Hath YAHUAH indeed spoken only by Moshe? Hath he not spoken also by us? And YAHUAH heard it. 3 (Now the man Moshe was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) 4 And YAHUAH spake suddenly unto Moshe, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam. Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. 5 And YAHUAH came down in the pillar of the cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. 6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I YAHUAH will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 7 My servant Moshe is not so, who is FAITHFUL in all mine house. 8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches: and the similitude of YAHUAH shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moshe? 9 And the anger of YAHUAH was kindled against them; and he departed. 10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous. 11 And Aaron said unto Moshe, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. 12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb. 13 And Moshe cried unto YAHUAH, saying, Heal her now, O Elohim, I beseech thee. 14 And YAHUAH said unto Moshe, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? Let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that her be received in again. 15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again. KJV

Those in the assemblies who teach that polygany is sinful are again speaking against YAHUAH's servant Moshe, who lived a polyganous lifestyle. If this is you, then you should repent before the wrath of YAHUAH is kindled against you as it was against Miriam.

Gideon

Judges 8:30 And Gideon has threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives. He was highly regarded as a man of YAHUAH.

Elkanah

1 Sam 1:2 2 Wives, Hannah and Peninah. Hannah was chosen to be the mother of the Prophet Samuel, a truly great prophet of YAHUAH.

Caleb

1 Chronicles 2:46-48 Caleb is recorded as having two concubines. This is despite the fact that he was one of only two men of his generation allowed to enter the promised land (Joshua son of Nun being the other). YAHUAH did not appear to hold his polygany against him.

Ashur

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

Rehoboam

2 Chronicles 11:17-23 He had 18 wives and sixty concubines. He took them when he was being a good king, walking in the ways of his father for 3 years. Where is the sin in this verse?

Abiyah

2 Chronicles 13:21 Abiyah had 14 wives.

Joash

2 Chronicles 24:2-3 And Joash did that which was right in the sight of YAHUAH all the days of Jehoiada the priest. And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.

Job

Job 27:15 speaks of a man whose "widows shall weep".

YAHUAH

Jeremiah 3:6-10 YAHUAH portrays himself as a polyganist. If YAHUAH portrays himself as a polyganist and YAHUAH is sinless, can polygany be wrong? Jeremiah 31:31-32 YAHUAH portrays himself as a polyganist, again. Ezekiel 23 YAHUAH portrays himself as a polyganist, yet again, married to 2 wives: Jerusalem and Samaria.

Religious Hypocrisy

Not believing in Pre-Existence and Deity of Messiah is Accepted.

There are people within the Assemblies, which deny the pre-existence of YAHUAH-Yahusha relegating him to the "prophet only" category. Since YAHUAH-Yahusha is "the way and the life" and the "only mediator" between YAHUAH and man and it is only through immersion in this Name that we receive forgiveness of sins, is it possible that these people are lost and without salvation and are even teaching "another evangel"? And yet, these people are accepted within the Assembly, attend services regularly, participate in special music offerings and even bring teaching messages from the pulpit. Those of you who believe that this is wrong, and yet accept and worship with those who believe in this manner should ask yourselves why you allow this blatant disregard for the Word and yet not accept a family with more than one wife, which YAHUAH allows. This is religious hypocrisy.

Not Properly Observing Passover or Discerning Body of Messiah is Accepted

There is also much disagreement with the correct day to observe Passover with some keeping it at the beginning of the 14^th, some at the end of the 14^th, some at the beginning of the 15^th, and some at the end of the 15^th. To add to those differences, some keep it as a high day and some do not, and some follow Jerusalem time versus local time in determining beginnings and ending of days. We all know that there is only one correct way and time to keep the Passover and all other times are wrong. Therefore, some of the members are right and some of the members are wrong. However, the point is that you all still assemble with each other, even though you believe the others to be wrong. Is it a light matter to keep the Passover wrong? Certainly not. Everyone that I have talked with believes this is to be a very serious mistake.

1 Cor 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of YAHUAH-Yahushua, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of YAHUAH-Yeshua.

The word unworthily means to be unfit or irreverent. Wouldn't it be irreverent to keep this day on the wrong day? And what happens to those who keep it unworthily or wrongly? They drink "damnation" to themselves. (1 Cor 11:29). Therefore, most of you are accepting within your assembly and worshipping with others around you who are "drinking damnation" unto themselves, but you will not accept those who believe that the word of YAHUAH allows for multiple wives. You are throwing out the wheat and gathering the tares.

Keeping Wrong Feast Days is Accepted

Due to a lack of understanding pertaining to the timing of the first new moon of the year and whether it should be the one before, nearest, or after the equinox, about every third year, two different sets of feast days are kept within the Assemblies of YAHUAH. This cannot be correct, of course. It is wrong to keep the feast days incorrectly and especially to attend or endorse a feast knowing it is wrong.

One of the reasons cited for keeping or visiting with those keeping the "erronous" feasts was because the assembly showed so much love, and because it was desired to visit with and fellowship with these people. Obviously, this was in disregard of YAHUAH's word.

However, these same people who would keep or visit an erronous feast to fellowship with these people who were keeping false feasts (like Jeroboam's feast) will refuse to fellowship with a man who has more than one wife. YAHUAH condemns false feasts, but does not condemn multiple wives, and yet the Assemblies of YAHUAH has those who accept false feast and condemn multiple wives...exactly the opposite of the behaviour of YAHUAH. To borrow YAHUAH-Yahusha's own words...

Mark 7:6-9 He (YAHUAH-Yahusha) answered and said unto them, Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of YAHUAH, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of YAHUAH, that ye may keep your own tradition. KJV

Divorce and Remarriage is Accepted

There are many within the Assemblies of YAHUAH who have been divorced and remarried. Their stories all differ, each has a decidedly sad tale behind it, and may YAHUAH be merciful where his people have sinned in past ignorance. My point is, however, that even those who believe that remarriage is never possible without the death of the spouse still accept and worship with those who have been divorced and remarried even though they believe the parties to be commiting adultery!

If the assemblies accept someone who has "remarried" (although they believe this to be adultery), but will not accept a man because he has multiple wives, isn't that a double standard? Why are they willing to accept one type of "sinner" (to their way of believing) and not another type of "sinner" (again, to their way of thinking)? Doesn't the scripture teach that if we have sinned in one thing, we have sinned in all things? Who are these perfect, sinless beings who think to choose who can attend and who cannot attend YAHUAH's worship services? This is a self-righteous, pharisaical attitude and we know what YAHUAH-Yahusha said to them.

Matt 23:33-37 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify: and some of them ye shall scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city.... O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stoneth them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Polyganous Marriages – Not Accepted – Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged

As outlined above, the Assemblies of YAHUAH knowingly accept many people who they believe are clearly sinning including those who do not believe in the deity of Messiah, keep the wrong feast days and Passover, as well as those who believe are living in adultery due to divorce and remarriage. However, they refuse to accept those living in a style of marriage proven to be righteous by YAHUAH's own word. Have the assemblies not accepted those who are clearly wrong and thrown out those who are clearly right? Even if you only "think" that multiple wives "might" be acceptable, then you have an obligation to not judge in this area. Have you failed to rightly divide the word of YAHUAH, or wrested the scriptures to your own destruction? You have definitely been a respecter of persons as each and everyone of us are sinners depending upon the grace of YAHUAH for forgiveness. Yet, you have clearly thrown stones against others YOU THINK are sinning. Are you certain that you have totally set aside your own understanding on this matter of marriage and totally accepted YAHUAH's understanding?

If you are not completely sure, then you should at least not judge what you do not know lest you judge wrongly. Since YAHUAH did not condemn polygany, then the Assemblies of YAHUAH should not either.

There was nothing more strongly judged by YAHUAH-Yeshua, our Messiah, than those who practiced religious hypocrisy. In Matthew 23 as well in other scriptures, he strongly condemns those who would force the traditions of man onto the shoulders of others, but would not follow the law of YAHUAH themselves. The same can be said of certain members of the Assemblies of YAHUAH. If you teach observance to YAHUAH's laws, and then condemn those who are following YAHUAH's, then you are being a hypocrite.

In this matter of polygany, instead of YAHUAH's law, you desire to force man's law onto others. This is shameful hypocrisy and will provoke YAHUAH's judgment upon the assembly.

Isa 5:24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of YAHUAH of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. KJV

You are guilty of casting away the law of YAHUAH and despising his word if you refuse to accept his blatant acceptance and regulation of marriages with more than one wife and the people whom he has called to this form of marriage.

Why this Blindness to the Truth

Although I personally found it extremely difficult to accept this teaching in the beginning, and probably would have failed without the direct intervention of the Set-Apart Spirit, I must say that even as a layperson I can now clearly and easily see what YAHUAH's word teaches on this matter. My battle was not with what the word said, but with the doctrines I had previously held dear.

For this reason, I believe that this subject must also be clear to numerous men and Elders in the assemblies who have studied YAHUAH's word for several decades longer than I. There is just no way that anyone with eyes to see and a heart to serve YAHUAH can deny that he allowed, condoned, blessed and regulated marriages with multiple wives. This begs the question then of why the men and Elders of YAHUAH's assembly today deny YAHUAH's law in this matter.

I believe that the Elders and leaders of today deny YAHUAH's acceptance of plural marriages because they have not really studied it for themselves. This was my case. When I first heard this matter spoken of, I rejected it out of hand as ridiculous and never even cracked open my bible to see if it had any merit. How is that for being a "berean"? I was certain I knew better on this subject, but in truth I had never sought YAHUAH's guidance. I believe that this is the case of the elders and men of YAHUAH's assemblies today.

Have You Studied For Yourself?

Perhaps also, they put off, or do not desire to study the matter since they already know that their wives are strongly and clearly against the practice and it would stir up all kinds of strife. These leaders are afraid their wives would rebel if they even agreed to study plural marriages, much less if they accepted the practice as scriptural.

This indicates a total breakdown in the proper order in the marriage. Since YAHUAH has seen fit to bring this matter before the assemblies, each man should study to show himself approved no matter what his wife thinks. If a man comes to believe plural marriage to be acceptable to YAHUAH but holds his peace, or speaks against it, because he is afraid of what his wife will do, then she is not in submission and he is not the head of his house. His house is OUT of order and he should not be an elder. He should seek YAHUAH's guidance in teaching his wife submission by setting an example for her by being submissive to YAHUAH in this matter.

YAHUAH says that the woman should submit to her husband in ALL things, just as she would to YAHUAH. Notice there are no limits placed on this command nor will you find any limits on how a man should serve YAHUAH. YAHUAH made some of the prophets walk about totally naked for 3 years. What an example of submission! Therefore, if there are NO limits on how a man should serve YAHUAH, then there are NO limits on how a woman should serve her husband as the scripture her to obey her husband AS she would YAHUAH.

Who Is Ruling?

The role of the wife in marriage has been seriously lost and needs restoring. No woman I know of in the assembly likes to discuss this matter any more than they like to discuss plural marriages. They may give the subject of submission "lip service" but I have never witnessed a truly submissive wife in the Assemblies of YAHUAH, except for maybe one or two. Most of them secretly hold the strings of control in the background. This is not submission. The reason both these subjects are detested by women is because they go somewhat hand in hand. In a polyganist marriage, the man IS totally in charge. He makes the decisions, and he alone decides what YAHUAH's plan is for his life, and he alone determines the best course for his family. The women MUST be in full and 100% submission to the husband for this to happen. The women of the assembly do not want their husbands to have other wives and therefore they remain unsubmissive on this subject. They would try to prevent or would no allow their husbands to take another wife even if YAHUAH commanded him to.

I know of at least one man in the assembly who clearly understands the truth of this teaching concerning polygany, but since his wife is opposed he withholds his teaching or modifies it with man-made teachings regarding different laws or practices in different "dominions of time?".

This clearly violates Mal 3:6 in that YAHUAH does NOT change. What a shame that he would seek to placate his wife in this manner. Another erronous teaching he holds is that the husband needs his wife's permission to marry another.

To support this, examples of Hebrew marriage contracts, called Ketubahs, are brought into discussion. Why are we suddenly going OUTSIDE YAHUAH's word for evidence against YAHUAH's word? YAHUAH's people were always going astray so why look at their documents for guidance instead of YAHUAH's word?

The Word clearly says, "the man is the head of the women". YAHUAH-Yahushua is also stated to be the head of the man. Does YAHUAH-Yahusha EVER need man's permission to do anything? Then neither does the man need the woman's permission in anything. This is preposterous. Should the husband consider his wife's opinions, beliefs of feelings? Yes, of course he should.

But should he obey her or YAHUAH if she does not agree with what YAHUAH wants for him?

This above is a good example of the wife ruling over the man. This same wife, based on the erronous teachings her husband has espoused, then insulted the character of another man and encouraged his wife to rebel against her husband's leadership. Is this a woman of YAHUAH? Then he should teach the truth, and then teach his wife to submit as taught in the scriptures. He should at least stop her from writing to other wives teaching REBELLION. This is as serious as practicing witchcraft!

If a man does not teach the truth, then he fails to serve YAHUAH and fails to keep his responsibility towards being the Head of His House. If it were known and readily accepted that a man could take another wife, I am certain that it would quickly improve the behaviour of some wives I know. You men need to consider this. No wonder the women hate this so. It would certainly disrupt their carefully balance apple cart. There you go.... Like Eve, you women are eating those apples again. That is what brought on this horrid curse that makes you desire to rule over your husband in the first place! (Gen 3:16).

I knew of a man who correctly understood the Passover to be on the 14^th of Abib, but because her wife believed in the 15^th, he agreed to keep it on the wrong day with her. Way to go! He failed to serve YAHUAH and failed to serve his wife by not correcting her error. And so, you men out there in the assemblies, who is your head these days? Is it YAHUAH through YAHUAH-Yahusha, or your wife? And you elderly women, what are you teaching the younger women about submission to their husbanbds?

Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of YAHUAH be not blasphemed. KJV

The only sin that is unforgivable according to scripture is blasphemy of the Spirit. Lack of obedience of a wife to her husband is blasphemy of YAHUAH, a very serious offence and one for which divorce is allowed. If you will read again the story of Vashti, you will see that the King had no choice but to come down hard on the Queen when she refused his command. Otherwise, all the women of the country would have stopped obeying their husbands, turning all of society upside down. This is what has happened today, and no one even see this sickness, nor do they even like to discuss this story. Perhaps this is why the men of the assembly DARE NOT teach that polygany is acceptable before YAHUAH. Perhaps they worship at the feet of their wives more than before YAHUAH's face. Be truthful with yourself! This is clearly idolatry and if you are in this position then you need to repent and learn to be the head and not the tail.

I would hope that there are some men in the assembly who are true to YAHUAH no matter if their wives believe differently. Perhaps they allow their wives to have different beliefs, but they do not allow their wives to force them to go against the spiritual leadership that YAHUAH has for them in their role as head of the house and family...these are obviously not the men I speak of or to.

25 REASONS WHY PLURAL MARRIAGES ARE ALLOWABLE

1. YAHUAH has NOT changed and His laws have not been done away with.
2. YAHUAH-Yeshua did not come to change or do away with the law.
3. When the law of the land is against YAHUAH, we should follow YAHUAH (i.e., we should render to YAHUAH what is YAHUAH's, such as our families. The government is never given the right to control marriage. Marriage is ordained by YAHUAH).
4. The Law in 4 place gives instructions for those in plural marriages. Never says they should Stop.
5. Obedience to 2 of the laws could cause a plural marriage.
6. Righteous, law-abiding forfathers will be in the Kingdom (i.e., not classified as sinners) and were polyganists.
7. YAHUAH and YAHUAH-Yeshua are portrayed allegorically as having multiple wives.
8. Forced monogamy is a Roman custom, as is priestly celibacy, among other pagan christian customs.
9. Multiple wives were allowed in the church until the early 1500s.
10. Matthew 19 is about divorce, not marriage of any sort.
11. Gen 2:24 was written by YAHUAH's servant, Moshe, a polyganist-so it can't mean "only one wife".
12. "One Flesh" can mean physical or spiritual union, but does not imply an exclusive relationship per Paul.
13. Abraham, friend of YAHUAH, shown in the Kingdom, obedient in all things – was a polyganist.
14. Jacob, Father of Israel, the one who "rules with El" – was a polyganist.
15. YAHUAH gave David multiple wives – Would YAHUAH give him something wrong? No – this is a clear endorsement of polygany.
16. Solomon had a heart condition, which was of his own choosing – not his wives.
17. YAHUAH blessed the women in polyganous marriages. (i.e., He opened their womb and gave them children).
18. Jealousy occurs in all relationships and is not a valid argument against polygany.
19. Disobedient children/adultery/divorce/apostasy are not valid arguments against polygany as they occur in monogamy as well.
20. 1 Cor 7:2 uses different words for "his own" and "her own"... there is a clear difference.
21. 1 Tim 3:2 "husband of one wife" could easily mean "first wife". (meaning that a Bishop cannot be divorced from his first wife, implying he could have more than one).
22. Even if 1 Tim 3:2 really means "one wife", then all men, except Bishops, can have multiple wives (clear NT acceptance of polygany for at least the lay person if not all men).
23. Moshe, YAHUAH's servant, talked with YAHUAH face-to-face, wrote the Torah at YAHUAH's instruction – and he was a polyganist!
24. Those who spoke against YAHUAH's servant Moshe, who was a polyganist, were severely punished.
25. Gideon, the Father of Samuel, Caleb, Ashur, Rehoboam, Abiyah, Joash, Job, and many other righteous men were polyganists.

1 Tim 4:1-5 Now the Spirit speaketh expressely, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which YAHUAH hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of YAHUAH is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of YAHUAH and prayer. KJV

The Word and the Law of YAHUAH sanctify Polygany. If the Assemblies of YAHUAH forbid polyganous marriages when YAHUAH has not, then they are guilty of departing from the faith and are teaching the "doctrines of devils".

Study for yourself what YAHUAH says about this matter in His Laws and in His Word, for "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps 119:105. Always remember that we must accept the whole word of YAHUAH on a matter and not add to nor take away from it. "You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish ought from it, that you may keep the commandments of YAHUAH your Elohim which I command you." Deut 4:2

May you truly seek YAHUAH's direction in this matter and may YAHUAH bless your efforts by opening your eyes to His Ways and His Understanding in this matter of marriage. Shalom and may YAHUAH bless you.

To me this article really opened my eyes to the way YAHUAH portrays Polygany, but the big surprise was that He used a lay-woman to bring about this truth, and it also shows that Prophecy is being fulfilled when the Spirit of Truth will fall in abundance in the latter days. Her name is at the bottom of this article.

Author: Amanda L. Boyd

Factual mistakes (all minor): it's not at all certain that the Yeshua abolished the sacrifices with His crucifixion, as Matthew 5:17 applies just as much to those as to the other laws.

The oft-repeated claim that 80% of the world's nations legalise polygamy is a common misconception.

The mention of multiple wives in Job wasn't describing Job.

The Caleb mentioned as having multiple wives was probably another Caleb.

And while keeping a feast like Passover on the correct date is important, I don't think those who keep it on the 15th of the month are damning themselves.

IN CONCLUSION

Well, that's kinda obvious.