Bible Verses About Concubines: What the Scriptures Really Say and Why It Matters

The Bible speaks honestly about concubines, a topic that may seem confusing or uncomfortable today. But understanding what the Scriptures really say and why it matters helps us see God’s plan for love, marriage, and family.

This article explores verses, stories, and lessons about biblical concubines, showing both the cultural context and spiritual insights we can learn.

🧽 What Is a Concubine According to the Bible?

In the Bible, a concubine was a woman in a relationship with a man but ranked lower than a wife. She often lived in his home, had children with him, and received protection and provision, yet she didn’t have the same legal status as a wife.

This was common in ancient biblical culture, especially in a patriarchal society where marriage often involved political alliances or family duties.

Many concubines were servants or women given to men to produce heirs. While God’s design for marriage was one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24), Old Testament marriage customs allowed men to have multiple wives and concubines.

📜 Key Bible Verses About Concubines

Here are 15 Bible verses that speak about concubines:

1. Genesis 16:3 – “Sarai gave Hagar to Abram to be his wife.”
2. Genesis 25:6 – “Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines.”
3. Genesis 30:4 – “Rachel gave Bilhah to Jacob as a wife.”
4. Genesis 30:9 – “Leah gave Zilpah to Jacob.”
5. Judges 8:31 – “Gideon had a concubine in Shechem.”
6. Judges 19:1 – “A Levite had a concubine from Bethlehem.”
7. 2 Samuel 5:13 – “David took more concubines and wives.”
8. 2 Samuel 15:16 – “David left ten concubines behind.”
9. 2 Samuel 16:22 – “Absalom slept with his father’s concubines.”
10. 1 Kings 11:3 – “Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines.”
11. 1 Chronicles 3:9 – “David had sons by his concubines.”
12. Esther 2:14 – “Concubines lived in the second house of women.”
13. Song of Songs 6:8 – “Sixty queens and eighty concubines.”
14. Daniel 5:2 – “The king drank with his wives and concubines.”
15. Matthew 19:5–6 – “A man shall be joined to his wife.”

🏩 Why Did Biblical Figures Have Concubines?

Why did God allow concubines in ancient times? It was often due to culture, survival, and tradition. Concubinage offered protection to servant women, ensured heirs, and sometimes created political ties. It was not God’s original plan, but He allowed it in a fallen world.

1. Genesis 16:2 – Hagar given to Abram due to infertility.
2. Genesis 30:3 – Bilhah given to Jacob.
3. Genesis 30:9 – Leah gives Zilpah.
4. Judges 8:31 – Gideon’s concubine bore him a son.
5. Judges 19:1–2 – A Levite had a concubine.
6. 2 Samuel 5:13 – David added wives and concubines.
7. 1 Kings 11:3 – Solomon’s marriages for alliances.
8. 2 Chronicles 11:21 – Rehoboam had 60 wives, 80 concubines.
9. Genesis 25:6 – Abraham gave gifts to his concubines.
10. 1 Chronicles 3:9 – Children of David’s concubines.
11. Esther 2:14 – King’s concubines waited to be called.
12. Song of Songs 6:8 – Reflects royal court status.
13. Daniel 5:3 – Used in banquets and royal affairs.
14. Ezekiel 23:20 – Women seeking lovers like concubines.
15. Genesis 2:24 – God’s ideal: one man, one woman.

🧔 Biblical Men Who Had Concubines (With Verses)

Many men in Scripture had concubines, though it brought mixed results:

1. Abraham – Genesis 16:3
2. Jacob – Genesis 30:4, 9
3. Gideon – Judges 8:31
4. David – 2 Samuel 5:13
5. Solomon – 1 Kings 11:3
6. Rehoboam – 2 Chronicles 11:21
7. Caleb – 1 Chronicles 2:46
8. Saul – 2 Samuel 3:7
9. Manasseh – 1 Chronicles 7:14
10. Ashhur – 1 Chronicles 4:5
11. Nahor – Genesis 22:24
12. Eliphaz – Genesis 36:12
13. Shimei – 1 Kings 1:8
14. Unnamed Levite – Judges 19:1
15. King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) – Esther 2:14

These stories show the biblical family dynamics and problems that arose from polygamy and multiple unions.

💔 Challenges, Conflicts, and Consequences

Having concubines often led to jealousy, division, and suffering. While some unions had protection and care, many caused pain.

1. Genesis 16:4 – Hagar looks down on Sarah.
2. Genesis 21:10 – Sarah wants Hagar and Ishmael gone.
3. Genesis 30:1 – Rachel envies Leah.
4. Genesis 30:9 – Leah gives Zilpah in rivalry.
5. Judges 19:2 – Concubine left the Levite.
6. Judges 19:25 – Horrific abuse of a concubine.
7. Judges 20:5 – Death leads to war.
8. 2 Samuel 3:7 – Abner accused with Saul’s concubine.
9. 2 Samuel 12:11 – God warns David about his wives.
10. 2 Samuel 16:22 – Absalom’s public sin.
11. 1 Kings 11:4 – Solomon turned to idols.
12. Nehemiah 13:26 – Solomon’s downfall by foreign wives.
13. Proverbs 6:32 – “He who commits adultery lacks sense.”
14. Matthew 19:5 – One flesh, not many.
15. Galatians 6:7 – Reaping what is sown.

✝️ Does the Bible Approve or Condemn Concubinage?

The Bible does not celebrate concubinage. It records it but points toward God’s better way. Is having a concubine a sin? The Bible hints yes, especially when it causes harm.

1. Genesis 2:24 – God’s original design.
2. Matthew 19:5–6 – One flesh in marriage.
3. Deuteronomy 17:17 – Kings warned not to multiply wives.
4. Proverbs 5:18–19 – Rejoice in your wife.
5. Malachi 2:14 – Faithfulness matters.
6. 1 Corinthians 7:2 – Each man his own wife.
7. Hebrews 13:4 – Marriage should be honored.
8. 1 Timothy 3:2 – One-wife leadership.
9. Galatians 5:19 – Works of the flesh.
10. Colossians 3:19 – Husbands love your wives.
11. Ephesians 5:25 – As Christ loved the church.
12. Revelation 21:8 – Immorality judged.
13. Exodus 20:14 – Do not commit adultery.
14. Matthew 5:28 – Heart-level purity.
15. Romans 12:2 – Renew your mind, not culture.

🔎 What We Can Learn Today from These Scriptures

The Bible shows human failure but also God’s grace. What does the Bible say about concubines? That even in broken systems, God worked through people to fulfill His promise. Today, Christians are called to honor marriage, show faithfulness, and value every person.

1. Genesis 2:24 – God’s marriage model.
2. Matthew 19:6 – No longer two but one.
3. Romans 5:20 – Grace abounds.
4. 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 – Love never fails.
5. Ephesians 5:31–33 – Marriage as Christ and church.
6. Proverbs 31:10–12 – A virtuous woman.
7. Colossians 3:14 – Love binds all.
8. Galatians 3:28 – All one in Christ.
9. 1 Peter 3:7 – Honor your wife.
10. 1 John 4:7 – Love is from God.
11. James 1:27 – Care for the vulnerable.
12. Romans 12:9 – Hate evil, cling to good.
13. Micah 6:8 – Do justly, love mercy.
14. Matthew 5:8 – Pure in heart.
15. Psalm 119:105 – Word is a lamp.

🙏 Final Thoughts: Faith, Scripture, and Human Relationships

Biblical concubines remind us that God can work through messy stories. But His true design is for love, commitment, and faithfulness.

Understanding the difference between a wife and a concubine in the Bible helps us follow Jesus more closely. May we honor God’s plan for marriage and live out His love today.