Polygamy in the Bible with Implications for Seventh-Day Adventist Missiology
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Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 1993 Polygamy in the Bible With Implications for Seventh-day Adventist Missiology Ron Du Preez Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Missions and World Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Du Preez, Ron, "Polygamy in the Bible With Implications for Seventh-day Adventist Missiology" (1993). Dissertation Projects DMin. 164. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/164 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. 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Order Number 9334297 Polygamy in the Bible with implications for Seventh-day Adventist missiology du Preez, Ronald Alwyn Gerald, D.Min. Andrews University, 1993 Copyright ©1993 by du Preez, Ronald Alwyn Gerald. All rights reserved. UMI 300 N. ZeebRd. Ann Aibor, MI 48106 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary POLYGAMY IN THE BIBLE WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST MISSIOLOGY A Project Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Ronald A. G. du Preez July 1993 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ° Copyright by Ronald A. G. du Preez 1993 All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. POLYGAMY IN THE BIBLE WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST MISSIOLOGY A project dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Ronald A. G. du Preez APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Adviser, Dean, ----- Richard M. Davidson SDA Theological Seminary Jon L. Dybdahl Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS...................................................................... vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................... viii Chapter I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION......................................................... 1 Background to the Issue .............................................................. 2 The Extent of Polygamy in the World ............................... 3 Christianity and Conflicts with Culture ................................ 5 Christian Church Views on Polygamy .................................. 6 Documents on Polygamy in the B ible .................................. 7 SDA Church Policies, 1926-1941 ....................................... 12 SDA Concern for a Theological Basis ............................... 14 Statement of the Problem ............................................................ 16 Purpose of the Project................................................................. 16 Justification for the Study ............................................................ 17 Scope and Limitations................................................................. 20 Methodology of the Research .................................................... 20 Definition of Terms .................................................................... 24 Overview of the Project............................................................... 25 PART ONE ANALYSIS OF BIBLICAL PASSAGES RELATED TO POLYGAMY II. MARITAL FORM AS INSTITUTED IN THE BEGINNING ____ 28 The Pattern Established in Eden .................................................. 29 The Originator of Marriage.................................................. 30 Form of the First Marital U nion.......................................... 31 A Reciprocal Conjugal Relationship..................................... 34 Significance of the First M arriage....................................... 35 The Model Evident at the Flood .................................................. 42 Summary of the Marital Form in Genesis .................................. 45 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. m . OLD TESTAMENT PASSAGES CONCERNING MARITAL FORMS RELATED TO POLYGAMY................................................. 47 The Concubine in Hebrew Society ................................................. 48 Concubines as Distinct from W iv es ......................................... 50 Concubines as Similar to W iv es ............................................... 51 The Law Concerning the Female Slave ......................................... 53 The Law in English Translations............................................... 54 An Examination of the Hebrew T e x t ....................................... 56 The Regulation on Marriage to Two "Sisters" ............................... 62 Various Understandings of Lev 18:18 ....................................... 63 Literary Analysis of Lev 1 8 ...................................................... 64 Temporary Nature of the Regulation ....................................... 67 "Sister" in the Old Testament.................................................... 68 The Definition of "Sister" in Lev 18 ....................................... 70 Ancient Broader Understanding of "Sister" ............................. 71 Figurative Use of DiiS0h Del-Dah d 0 i .................................... 73 Universal Application of Lev 18:18.......................................... 77 Summary of the Law in Lev 18:18 ......................................... 78 Legislation on the Marital Status of the K ing .................................. 79 Language and Content of the L aw ............................................ 81 Ancient and Broader Understandings ....................................... 86 Law of the Firstborn and His R ights ............................................... 89 The Regulation in English Versions .......................................... 90 The Hebrew Text and Context ................................................. 91 Deductions Based on Case Law ............................................... 92 Statutes on Sexual Relations with an Unengaged Woman 95 Levirate Law and Practice ............................................................. 101 The Levirate in Other Cultures ................................................. 103 The Deuteronomic Legislation ................................................. 105 The Levirate in Patriarchal T im es ........................................... 113 Practice in the Time of the Judges ........................................... 118 Symbolism and Marital Form s ........................................................ 123 Summary of Old Testament Laws Related to Polygamy ............... 126 IV. CASE STUDIES OF POLYGAMISTS IN THE BIBLE...................... 129 Survey of Polygamy in the Ancient Near E a s t .............................. 130 Extent of Polygamy in the Bible ...................................................... 133 Ways of Viewing the Lives of Polygamists .................................... 136 The Practice of Polygamy Before the Flood .................................... 139 Lamech: