Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5650 Human relationships  »  5717 monogamy

The practice of having and remaining faithful to only one marriage partner at one time. It is set out as God's ideal for human relationships; an ideal demonstrated in the use of the marriage bond to portray the relationship between God and his people.

Monogamy as God's original intention for marriage

Genesis 2:22-24 See also Malachi 2:15; Matthew 19:4-6 pp Mark 10:6-9; Ephesians 5:31

Monogamy is shown in God's relationship with his people

God's marriage with Israel

Ezekiel 16:8 See also Isaiah 54:5-8; Jeremiah 2:2-3; Hosea 2:16-20; Hosea 3:1; Ephesians 5:32-33

God's exclusive commitment to Israel

Deuteronomy 14:2; Amos 3:2 See also Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 26:18; Deuteronomy 32:8; Psalm 135:4

Monogamy in marriage

The commitment to a lifelong, loving companionship

Genesis 2:18; Proverbs 5:15-19 The satisfaction that may be found in marriage makes marital unfaithfulness and polygamy unnecessary. See also Proverbs 2:17; Ecclesiastes 9:9; Malachi 2:14

Polygamy undermines full commitment

Deuteronomy 21:15 Favouritism within polygamous relationships undermines the close companionship which should characterise marriage. See also Genesis 29:30; 1 Samuel 1:1-8; 2 Chronicles 11:21-22

Monogamy is implicit in teaching about divorce

Matthew 19:9 pp Mark 10:11 See also Luke 16:18

Monogamy is commanded

1 Corinthians 7:2-4 This is an implicit, but clear prohibition of polygamy ; 1 Timothy 3:12 Monogamy is obligatory in leaders. See also 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6

See also

5675  divorce
5680  family
5702  husband
5708  marriage
5732  polygamy
5744  wife
6242  adultery