As I have studied out polygyny, I've often read that Isaac and Rebekah are a model of monogamy and how marriage should be. I've quickly written that off, as there are way too many other examples of polygyny among the patriarchs, as we all know. However, I encountered a verse lately that caught my eye. When Isaac was blessing Jacob (instead of Esau), he stated the following:
Genesis 27:29 Be master of your brothers, And may your mother’s sons bow down to you.
As far as we are told in the Bible, Esau and Jacob were Isaac's only sons. However, here Isaac blesses Jacob to be master over his brothers. He further specifies that his mother's sons would bow down to him.
First off, I realize that brothers does not always mean brothers, but could also mean cousins or even descendants. Even so, it does say brothers. The same goes for sons - that could easily be explained as future generations, but it does say sons. That is not all that caught my eye though. Why first say "master of your brothers" then follow up by saying, "may your mother's sons bow down to you." Was there a difference? Were there brothers who were not his mother's sons?
I don't suppose we could ever prove this, but I do think it is interesting to consider. If nothing else, it makes it plausible that Isaac was also had multiple wives or concubines.
One other interesting point I found while reading about this. Some say that Abraham only had one concubine, Hagar, and two wives: Sarah and Keturah. However, look at this verse:
Genesis 25:5 Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac; but to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the east.
I suppose one could argue that Keturah was a concubine too, but that isn't what the Bible says. Even if that were the case, it would add to the position that Keturah and Hagar are not the same person, which I don't believe they were anyhow. I think, however, it makes the point that Abraham had more than one concubine in addition to his wives.
* Note: I've searched the Bible for evidence that Rebekah was Isaac's only wife, and I've been unable to find that evidence without adding to what the Bible says, but I might be missing something. If so, please correct me.
Genesis 27:29 Be master of your brothers, And may your mother’s sons bow down to you.
As far as we are told in the Bible, Esau and Jacob were Isaac's only sons. However, here Isaac blesses Jacob to be master over his brothers. He further specifies that his mother's sons would bow down to him.
First off, I realize that brothers does not always mean brothers, but could also mean cousins or even descendants. Even so, it does say brothers. The same goes for sons - that could easily be explained as future generations, but it does say sons. That is not all that caught my eye though. Why first say "master of your brothers" then follow up by saying, "may your mother's sons bow down to you." Was there a difference? Were there brothers who were not his mother's sons?
I don't suppose we could ever prove this, but I do think it is interesting to consider. If nothing else, it makes it plausible that Isaac was also had multiple wives or concubines.
One other interesting point I found while reading about this. Some say that Abraham only had one concubine, Hagar, and two wives: Sarah and Keturah. However, look at this verse:
Genesis 25:5 Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac; but to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the east.
I suppose one could argue that Keturah was a concubine too, but that isn't what the Bible says. Even if that were the case, it would add to the position that Keturah and Hagar are not the same person, which I don't believe they were anyhow. I think, however, it makes the point that Abraham had more than one concubine in addition to his wives.
* Note: I've searched the Bible for evidence that Rebekah was Isaac's only wife, and I've been unable to find that evidence without adding to what the Bible says, but I might be missing something. If so, please correct me.
