Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "harem" refers to the living quarters reserved for the wives, concubines, and female relatives of a polygamous household, particularly in royal settings. The concept of a harem is most prominently associated with the courts of ancient Near Eastern monarchs, including those mentioned in the Old Testament.
Biblical References and ContextThe idea of a harem is implicitly present in several biblical narratives, although the term itself is not directly used in the Berean Standard Bible. The concept is closely tied to the practices of polygamy and concubinage, which were common in ancient Israel and its neighboring cultures.
1.
Solomon's Harem: King Solomon is perhaps the most notable biblical figure associated with a large harem. According to
1 Kings 11:3, "He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray." Solomon's extensive harem was a reflection of his wealth, power, and political alliances, as many of his marriages were likely diplomatic in nature.
2.
David's Wives and Concubines: King David, Solomon's father, also had multiple wives and concubines.
2 Samuel 5:13 states, "After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him." David's harem, though smaller than Solomon's, was significant and played a role in the political and familial dynamics of his reign.
3.
Esther and the Persian Harem: The Book of Esther provides a glimpse into the Persian royal harem. Esther, a Jewish woman, becomes part of King Xerxes' harem and eventually his queen.
Esther 2:8 describes the process: "When the king’s command and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who was in charge of the harem."
Cultural and Theological ImplicationsThe existence of harems in biblical times reflects the broader cultural practices of the ancient Near East, where polygamy and concubinage were accepted and often necessary for political and economic reasons. The accumulation of wives and concubines was a sign of wealth and status, particularly for kings and rulers.
From a theological perspective, the Bible presents a complex view of polygamy and the harem system. While these practices are documented, they are not explicitly endorsed by biblical law. In fact, the narratives often highlight the problems and conflicts arising from such arrangements. For example, Solomon's many marriages are directly linked to his spiritual downfall, as his foreign wives led him to idolatry (
1 Kings 11:4).
Moral and Ethical ConsiderationsThe biblical accounts of harems raise important moral and ethical questions. The treatment of women within these systems often reflects the patriarchal structures of the time, where women were seen as property or political pawns. However, the Bible also includes accounts of women who navigate these systems with wisdom and courage, such as Esther, who uses her position to save her people.
In summary, while the concept of a harem is not explicitly defined in the Bible, it is an integral part of the historical and cultural backdrop of the biblical narrative. The accounts of harems in the lives of figures like Solomon, David, and Esther provide insight into the complexities of ancient Near Eastern society and the challenges of living faithfully within it.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Harem[HOUSE]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The apartments or portion of the house allotted to females in Mohammedan families.
2. (n.) The family of wives and concubines belonging to one man, in Mohammedan countries; a seraglio.
Strong's Hebrew
802. ishshah -- woman, wife, female... adulteress* (2), any woman (1), childbearing* (1), each (3), each one (1), each
woman (1), every (1), everyone (1), female (3), girls* (1),
harem* (5), harlot's
...1004. bayith -- a house
... 2), boxes (1), buildings (2), daughter (1), dungeon* (2), faced inward (1), family
(2), family* (1), guard* (1), hall (1), hangings (1),harem* (5), holders (7...
Library
Meanwhile, Angela Sovrani was Detained in Her Studio by the...
... Do you know? It is to keep aharem like a grand Turk;"and woe betide the woman who
joins the company without understanding that she is to be one of the many!...
Chapter xx
... to say of" someone (KS327 g). When Abimelech takes Sarah, that implies, not as the
phrase sometimes means, to take in marriage, but only, to take into hisharem...
Song of Songs
... theory now adhere in general to the view that the poem celebrates the fidelity of
a peasant maid who had been captured and brought to Solomon'sharem, but who...
The Reign of David.
... His Great Sin and Its Bitter Consequences. David's high ideals and noble chivalry
could not withstand the enervating influence of his growingharem....
The Family of a Saint
... the world. At heart the African has always longed for aharem in his house;
he inclines naturally to the polygamy of Muslemism. In...
Womanhood of the Byzantine Decadence
... sacrificing his daughter Theodora on the altar of his ambition gave her in marriage
to Orkhan, and sent her to dwell at Brusa, as a member of the Sultan'sharem...
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 5
... with the Pharaoh -- The king's messengers -- The allied states -- Royal presents
and marriages; the status of foreigners in the royalharem -- Commerce with...
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 2
... of Pharaoh, Pharaoh the mediator between the gods and his subjects -- Pharaoh in
family life; his amusements, his occupations, his cares -- Hisharem: the women...
The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... Persepolis, and Susa; Persian architecture and sculpture; court life, the king and
hisharem"Revolutions in the palace"Xerxes I., Sekudianos, Darius II...
The Nations of the North-East
... But this did not prevent them from marrying into the Pharaoh's family, while
their daughters were sent to theharem of the Egyptian king....
Thesaurus
Polygamy... Successes in further wars come and add other women to be distributed. Of course
to the sheik or king there soon comes the seraglio and the
harem.
...Bigtha (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Garden, or gift of fortune, one of the seven eunuchs or
chamberlains who had charge of theharem of Ahasuerus (Esther 1:10). Int....
Harem (8 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The family of wives and concubines belonging to one man, in Mohammedan
countries; a seraglio. Multi-Version ConcordanceHarem (8 Occurrences)....
Xerxes (24 Occurrences)
... During the remainder of his reign, Xerxes seems to have spent a listless existence,
absorbed in intrigues of theharem, and leaving the government to be...
Immanuel (3 Occurrences)
... The hypothesis of some critics that a woman of theharem of Ahaz became the mother
of Hezekiah, and that he was the Immanuel of the prophet's thought is not...
Rumah (2 Occurrences)
... Alexandrinus Rhuma): To this place belonged Pedaiah whose daughter Zebudah (the
Revised Version (British and American) "Zebidah") entered theharem of Josiah...
Rab-saris (3 Occurrences)
... They usually had charge of hisharem; sometimes they occupied court positions.
Frequently they superintended the education of the youth....
Rabsaris (3 Occurrences)
... They usually had charge of hisharem; sometimes they occupied court positions.
Frequently they superintended the education of the youth....
Esther (48 Occurrences)
... She was a Jewess named Hadas'sah (the myrtle), but when she entered the royalharem
she received the name by which she henceforth became known (Esther 2:7). It...
Eunuch (20 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 56:4, 5). On the other hand, the kings of Israel and Judah followed their
royal neighbors in employing eunuchs (1) as guardians of theharem (2 Kings 9...
Resources
Who was Xerxes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Esther in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about sexual assault? | GotQuestions.orgHarem: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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