In the Biblical world, a concubine was a legal wife of a man, but one given to him for free, rather than as part of a marriage Mohar.
She was given for free, to her husband, for three possible reasons:
To pay a debt of the bride's family to the groom's family, if the debt could not be paid by money or other means of property.
When the husband's family's status and wealth were much higher than the bride's father's. For example: Solomon had 700 wives (who were princesses) and 300 concubines. When a king of his status would marry a wife with a much lower status, that wife would be considered a concubine.
A bride with a disability. The Mohar would be given to a bride who was healthy and with no physical disabilities such as blindness or "delicate eyes" (such as in the case of Leah)
"Leah's eyes were delicate" (Genesis 29:17)
The concubine could marry, but she would not be granted Senior Wife status. She would be considered a legitimate, legal, and desired wife (not a maidservant), but nevertheless, she would be less senior and given to the husband for free.
In a world that craved offspring, there were no unmarried females, unlike in present times. If a woman was able to give birth, then she was worthy to be wed.
Comentarios