Marriage Within the Line of Terah
These are notes for an incomplete "Concept" page.
- Information is being added as the Bible Pages are added. In the end, everything will be compiled, further information added (as necessary), broken links connected, etc.
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- Some of these marriages may have been a practical necessity. As people were scattering across the earth, there might not have been very many people living nearby. (Genetically, it was not an issue at that point in history.)
- Some of these marriages may have done out of ignorance of God's Law (whatever amount God may have revealed to them at that point in time). Terah was an idolater, and some of his values were probably passed on to his children. They also lived in a pagan society, which would have influenced their choices (since they weren't strongly influenced by the Word of God).
- Some of the offspring were the result of sin (for example, Lot's daughter's sons, who were also Lot's sons).
Brief Overview
Terah - had at least 2 wives
- We do not know if Terah's wife died and he remarried, or if he had multiple wives at the same time. The only thing we do know about him is what is recorded in Genesis 11, and the fact that he was an idolater. He was not a follower of the living God, and this would also influence his (and his offspring's) perspective on marriage and family issues.
- Joshua 24:2 - Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, 'Your fathers lived of old time beyond the River, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor: and they served other gods.
Abraham - married a half-sister - same father (Terah) but different mothers.
Abraham's brothers - Abraham has 2 brothers listed. Unknown mothers (could be the same or different). Unknown age differences.
The one brother (Nahor) marries the other brother's (Haran's) daughter (Milcah).
- They have children. One son (Bethuel) has a daughter and a son.
- The daughter (Rebekah) marries Abraham's son (Isaac).
- The son (Laban) has 2 daughters (Leah and Rachael), BOTH of which marry one of the sons of Isaac (Jacob).
Are you confused yet?
Comments from Bible Pages
Genesis 11:10-32 - As the people spread out after the Flood (and after Babel),the total available "gene pool" within the various groups would shrink. Also, the available options for marriage (genetically speaking) would become fewer. (This has a significant impact on the lifespans of the people - as seen in the ages given in the genealogies!) However, since the "gene pool" was still relatively large, and (perhaps more significantly) destructive genetic mutations hadn't yet accumulated to the degree they have since then, it did not result in the problems it would have today.
Genesis 26:1-33 - Just a comment about Terah's family.
Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.
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