While polygamy was practiced by some figures in the Old Testament, does that mean God endorsed it? Scripture shows that God’s original and eternal design for marriage has always been one man and one woman in a faithful, covenant relationship.
From the very beginning, God established marriage as a singular union: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Even in the Law, God warned against the excesses of multiple wives: “Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away” (Deuteronomy 17:17). The pattern is clear: monogamy reflects God’s intention for marital unity and faithfulness.
The New Testament confirms this standard for all believers, especially those in leadership: “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2) and “A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior” (Titus 1:6). Jesus Himself reaffirmed the original design of marriage when He said, “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” (Matthew 19:4-5).
In this video, we examine why God’s intention has always been a covenantal, monogamous union, and why polygamy — whether in the Old Testament or in modern practices like those found in Mormonism — falls outside His perfect plan. By comparing biblical teaching with historical and contemporary examples, viewers can see that God’s design for marriage is consistent, sacred, and unchanging.
“Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). True marriage reflects God’s holiness, not human innovation.
