Genesis 2:24 as Basis for Monogamous Christian Marriage: Illustrations from Nigeria

Abstract

The issue of monogamy versus polygamy has been a matter of constant debate within Christendom, particularly in Africa. There are several passages used to support monogamy as the biblical standard, but this article focuses on Genesis 2:24. Citing illustrations from Nigeria, the aim of this article is to examine the claim that Genesis 2:24 serves as a basis for monogamous Christian marriage. This article employs the descriptive and exegetical methods. It discovers that Genesis 2:24 is an aetiology, which means that it is descriptive rather than prescriptive. The essay concludes that the passage is silent on the form of marriage, whether monogamous or polygamous. The monogamy interpretation fails to take cognisance of the fact that the text is an aetiology, and therefore descriptive, having reference to marriage only as it was practised at the time of writing. The monogamy view also loses sight of the Mosaic laws that regulated the practice of polygamy. Finally, since the passage has no reference for monogamy or polygamy originally, it is incorrect to say that Jesus’ or Paul’s allusion to it supports monogamy.