The New Testament and Polygamy

 The New Testament and Polygamy 

Under Roman rule, the Sadducees—staunch 

adherents of the written Torah—found themselves navigating a legal and cultural tension, especially when it came to marriage. Roman law strictly enforced monogamy, viewing it as a hallmark of civilized society. In contrast, the Torah permitted polygyny in specific situations, such as levirate marriage, where a man was obligated to marry his deceased brother’s widow to preserve the family line (Deuteronomy 25:5–10), along with other instances of polygamy recorded throughout the Old Testament. This clash between Roman expectations and Torah allowances likely posed significant challenges for the Sadducean elite, who sought to maintain both religious integrity and political survival.

Context of the First Century:

1. Roman Law and Monogamy:

Roman law strictly enforced monogamy, especially for its citizens. While Romans tolerated various customs within the provinces (including among Jewish communities), polygamy was not socially acceptable in the Roman world, and its practice could invite legal scrutiny.

2. Jewish Law and Polygyny:

While the Torah allowed polygyny, it was not a universal practice. In the first century, the Sadducees, who followed a literal interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures, might have seen polygyny as permissible, particularly in cases where it was culturally or religiously justified (e.g., levirate marriage). However, they would still be operating within the broader Roman framework, which meant that the practice would have been restricted in terms of social acceptance and legal enforcement under Roman rule.

3. Sadducees' Relationship with Roman Authority:

The Sadducees were often closely aligned with the Roman authorities, particularly because they were part of the priestly aristocracy and held influential roles within the Jewish temple system. In practice, this political connection might have led them to avoid actions that could be seen as defying Roman law, even if their interpretation of Jewish law allowed for polygyny.

Can a Sadducee Take Another Wife?

While a Sadducee could theoretically take on another wife under Jewish law (depending on the situation), such an action would likely have been limited by Roman authority. The political reality of Roman rule meant that Sadducees would likely have refrained from openly practicing polygyny for fear of legal consequences, as Roman law did not allow it.

Conclusion:

In practice, while the Sadducees might have had theological justification for taking multiple wives under Jewish law, the Roman legal system would have imposed monogamy on them, especially since Roman rule was focused on social stability and uniformity in family structures. Thus, a Sadducee might have refrained from taking a second wife due to Roman legal constraints, even though it was permitted by Jewish law.