The Bible talks extra brazenly about intercourse and relationships than many individuals realise. Whereas we regularly hear about guidelines in opposition to adultery or premarital intercourse, some teachings would possibly shock and even shock us at the moment.
Listed below are 5 sudden examples:
1. Polygamy Was Allowed
The Bible doesn’t clearly forbid having a number of wives. Well-known figures like Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon had many wives—Solomon even had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Exodus 21:10 even provides directions on treating a number of wives pretty. Later, the New Testomony encourages having just one partner, however polygamy was regular for a lot of earlier Bible heroes.
2. Compelled Marriage After Assault
One troubling regulation within the Bible (Deuteronomy 22:28-29) required a person who assaulted an single girl to marry her and pay her father. Again then, this regulation aimed to offer monetary safety to the sufferer, however at the moment the thought is surprising and deeply upsetting.
3. Particular Guidelines About Semen
Leviticus 15:16-18 provides detailed guidelines about semen. Males who skilled a discharge needed to wash and have been thought of unclean till night. Even married {couples} needed to bathe after intercourse. This reveals the strict cleanliness guidelines in historic Israel.
4. Marrying a Brother-in-law
In Deuteronomy 25:5-10, if a person died with out youngsters, his widow was presupposed to marry his brother. This apply, referred to as levirate marriage, was meant to maintain property and household names intact. If the brother refused, the widow might publicly disgrace him. This rule highlights the restricted rights girls had again then.
5. Ruth’s Daring Transfer
The story of Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 3:6-8) hints at premarital intimacy. Ruth secretly visits Boaz at evening and “uncovers his toes,” which some interpret as an indication of intimacy. As a substitute of being punished, Ruth finally ends up marrying Boaz, and their household line finally results in King David.
The Bible’s Views on Intercourse Are Advanced
These examples present that the Bible’s concepts about intercourse aren’t all the time easy or clear-cut. They mirror the sophisticated social and cultural occasions through which they have been written. So, subsequent time somebody says the Bible is simple about intercourse, remind them about these shocking tales.