The Patriarchal Foundation of Marriage: God’s Design from Adam to Jacob

Eve was taken from the rib of Adam (Genesis 2:21–22). She came out of him, and this separation of man and woman created a deep longing to become one again. Since then, men and women seek one another physically, emotionally, and spiritually to restore that unity. When they come together in true intimacy, it is not merely physical, but a reflection of something far deeper “the two shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).

Abraham had one wife, Sarah, but she did not conceive. Sarah herself gave her servant Hagar to Abraham (Genesis 16:1–3). This was her decision. The angel of God talked to Hagar, she called GOD “You are El Roi” the One who sees me. Through Hagar, Ishmael was born. Yet God still blessed Ishmael and made him a great nation (Genesis 17:20). However, the promised son, the covenant child, was Isaac (Genesis 17:19).

Later, Abraham married Keturah (Genesis 25:1), and through her, more nations were born. This fulfilled God’s promise that Abraham would be “the father of many nations” (Genesis 17:4–5), and that through his seed all nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 22:18). This was all plan of God.

Our intimacy, relationships, marriage, and sexuality carry deep meaning and value when they are not corrupted. When refined, they reflect divine purpose and unity.

Now the question arises: was Sarah alone the “rib” of Abraham, or were Hagar and Keturah also part of God’s plan? Scripture shows that God’s blessing extended through Abraham’s entire household. Hagar and Keturah were also part of God’s working in his life, through whom His purposes and blessings were revealed. Therefore, from the beginning, God took one of Adam’s ribs to show that the woman was taken out of him. The one who is taken from you is the one who completes you. In Abraham’s life, Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah were all part of God’s divine purpose, through whom His plan was fulfilled.

In Isaac’s life, Rebekah alone fulfilled God’s divine purpose, for it was through her that His covenant plan continued. Jacob loved Rachel, yet he had four women connected to him: Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah (Genesis 29–30). Bilhah and Zilpah were maidservants given to Jacob (Genesis 30:3–4, 9–10). Through them came the twelve sons:

• Leah → 6 sons (Genesis 29:31–35; 30:17–21)
• Rachel → 2 sons (Genesis 30:22–24; 35:16–18)
• Bilhah → 2 sons (Genesis 30:5–8)
• Zilpah → 2 sons (Genesis 30:9–13)

These twelve became the twelve tribes of Israel. God did not bless only Joseph and Benjamin; He blessed all twelve. From Judah (son of Leah), God established kingship (Genesis 49:10). From Joseph (son of Rachel), God raised a ruler in Egypt who preserved the family of Jacob and all 12 tribes (Genesis 41:39–41).

Jacob first chose Rachel, yet received Leah first (Genesis 29:23–25). Through Leah came many sons, including Judah and Levi. Through Rachel came Joseph and Benjamin. Through Rachel’s servant Bilhah came Dan and Naphtali, and through Leah’s servant Zilpah came Gad and Asher.

Some may argue only one wife represents the “true union,” yet Scripture shows that God worked through all of them. His blessing was not limited to one, but extended across the entire household.

At the same time, some men had only one wife. Isaac, for example, had only Rebekah (Genesis 24:67), showing that both patterns exist in Scripture. Believers in the Holy Bible should honor marriage and the sacred covenant established through vows made in God’s holy name. God honored both types of marriages. Isaac was married to one wife, Rebekah, and God blessed their marriage. Jacob married Leah and Rachel and also took Bilhah and Zilpah as wives, and God blessed him and his entire family as well.

In the present world, many do not understand the depth of intimacy. The Bible records that patriarchs such as Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and David had multiple wives, and God still worked through their lives. These relationships existed within cultural and historical context.

However, the world today has drifted from the moral foundations of the patriarchs. At the same time, definitions of what is acceptable or sinful continue to change across societies and religious communities. The present world and the evil powers of the world want society to accept homosexuality, homosexual marriages, polyandry, and non-monogamous marriage. While these are sins, the world is against polygyny, even though God allowed both monogamy and polygyny. This raises serious questions about whether moral standards are shaped by Scripture or by culture or both are rejected by the modren society that is controlled by anti-God agenda. Should we honor what God allowed, and those whom God honored, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, etc, God blessed, and spoke to, or should we honor what is presently enforced on society?

In the days of Noah, God judged the world because of widespread corruption and wickedness. In those times, homosexuality and all other types of sin had grown, and God cleansed this wickedness through the flood, saving only those who followed Him (Genesis 6–7). This reminds us that righteousness matters before God. The world, its rituals and laws can not save mankind, only the law of God can.

In today’s world, divorce has become very common. A man and a woman may break the covenant made in God’s name and enter new relationships without recognizing the spiritual weight of their vows. Scripture teaches the seriousness of covenant faithfulness.

God said: “Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another. Do not swear falsely by My name…” (Leviticus 19:11–12). Marriage vows made in the name of God are sacred. When broken through deceit or unfaithfulness, they are not merely social failures but spiritual ones.

Historically, under Roman law, before Jesus, monogamy was enforced, one legal wife at a time, while other relationships could still exist outside marriage, but a man couldn’t have more wives. Divorce was also relatively easy. Over time, such legal structures influenced later societies.

Today, many patterns in the world resemble these systems more than the covenantal depth seen in Scripture. As a result, the marriages of biblical patriarchs are often judged harshly, while divorce and repeated remarriage are widely accepted.

This creates a contradiction: those honored by God are criticized, while practices once considered sinful are normalized in the present society.

It raises an important question: Are our standards shaped by God’s Word, or by a shifting culture? Or are we setting and adopting a standard driven by an anti-God agenda?

We must return to the Biblical roots, before the Messiah Jesus come. Marriage is a gift. Sexuality is a gift. Intimacy is a gift. These are to be honored through covenant, faithfulness, and reverence for God.

What God joins together carries purpose. Those meant to meet, meet according to God’s will.

Therefore, honor marriage. Keep it sacred, And establish it in the name of God with truth, faithfulness, and understanding.

The Bible teaches that God hates divorce (separation).

“For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away [divorce].”
— Malachi 2:16 (KJV)

Jesus also affirmed the permanence of marriage:

“Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
— Matthew 19:6 (KJV)

This is what is happening in the world today: the world often accepts what God hates, yet opposes what God permitted. It is noteworthy that many men through whom God worked, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon, had multiple wives, yet Scripture does not record them divorcing one wife in order to marry another. By contrast, presently man who have one wife, divorce her. The divorce has become increasingly common in many societies. Some Christian men in islamic countries have converted to Islam in order to marry another woman instead of remaining faithful to their marriage covenant or divroce their wives. In many Western countries, it is also common for people to divorce their spouses, engage in extramarital affairs, and then marry the person with whom they had the affair. The Bible consistently calls husbands and wives to faithfulness in marriage. Rather than abandoning one spouse for another, believers are commanded to honor the marriage covenant and remain faithful to the vows they made before God.

When two people are united in oath and their hearts and lives become joined together, they should honor God and remain faithful to the sacred vows they made in His holy name. Marriage is a covenant before God, and husbands and wives are called to honor both God and the promises they have made to one another.

When human united, God does not desire the breaking of the covenant. Rather than separating from their wives, the men of God recorded in Scripture remained responsible for them. Jacob desired to marry Rachel, yet after Leah became his frist wife, Scripture does not record that he divorced Leah. Likewise, the Bible does not record Moses or King David divorcing their wives, even though they had multiple wives. Instead of ending one marriage to begin another, they remained responsible for the oaths (wives) they had. The Bible consistently condemns divorce and calls husbands and wives to faithfulness in the marriage covenant.