In biblical times, a concubine was a woman who lived with a man in a relationship akin to marriage but without the full status of a wife. The role and status of concubines in ancient Israel and surrounding cultures were complex, often reflecting social, economic, and legal dimensions of the time.

Old Testament Context

Concubinage is most prominently featured in the Old Testament, where it was a socially accepted practice among the Israelites and their neighbors. Concubines were often taken by men of wealth and status, including patriarchs, kings, and other leaders. They were considered part of the household and had certain rights and protections, though they were subordinate to the primary wife or wives.

Notable Examples

1. Abraham and Hagar: One of the earliest mentions of a concubine is Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, Abraham's wife. When Sarah was barren, she gave Hagar to Abraham as a concubine to bear a child. Hagar bore Ishmael, who became the ancestor of many Arab tribes (Genesis 16:1-4).

2. Jacob and Bilhah/Zilpah: Jacob, the patriarch, had two concubines, Bilhah and Zilpah, who were maidservants of his wives Rachel and Leah, respectively. These concubines bore him sons who became part of the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 30:3-13).

3. Gideon: The judge Gideon had many wives and a concubine who lived in Shechem. She bore him a son named Abimelech, who later sought to become king (Judges 8:30-31).

4. King Saul and Rizpah: Rizpah was a concubine of King Saul. After Saul's death, her sons were executed by the Gibeonites, and she famously protected their bodies from scavengers until they were properly buried (2 Samuel 21:8-10).

5. King David: David had several concubines, as was customary for kings of his time. After his son Absalom rebelled, he publicly took David's concubines as a sign of taking over his father's kingdom (2 Samuel 16:21-22).

6. King Solomon: Solomon, known for his wisdom and wealth, had 700 wives and 300 concubines. His many marriages and alliances through concubinage were partly political, aimed at securing peace and prosperity for his kingdom (1 Kings 11:3).

Legal and Social Aspects

The Mosaic Law provided certain protections for concubines, though they were not on equal footing with wives. For instance, a concubine's children could inherit, but their status was often secondary to that of the children of the primary wife. The law also addressed the treatment of concubines, ensuring they were not mistreated or dismissed without cause (Exodus 21:7-11).

Moral and Theological Considerations

From a theological perspective, the practice of concubinage is often viewed through the lens of the cultural and historical context of the Bible. While the Bible records the existence of concubines, it does not explicitly endorse the practice. Instead, it reflects the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of deviating from God's ideal for marriage as a union between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24).

The narratives involving concubines often highlight the challenges and conflicts that arose from these relationships, serving as cautionary tales about the potential for strife and division within families. The accounts of Hagar, Bilhah, and others illustrate the personal and familial tensions that could result from such arrangements.

New Testament Context

By the time of the New Testament, the practice of concubinage had largely fallen out of favor among the Jewish people, and the teachings of Jesus and the apostles emphasized the sanctity and exclusivity of marriage. The New Testament upholds the ideal of monogamous marriage as a reflection of Christ's relationship with the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32).

In summary, the role of the concubine in biblical times was multifaceted, reflecting the social and legal norms of ancient Near Eastern cultures. While the Bible records the existence and accounts of concubines, it also points to the higher ideal of marital fidelity and unity.