Forbidden Marriages in the Bible: God’s Restrictions on Marriage

Marriage is a sacred union ordained by God, but not all marriages are permitted in God’s eyes.

The Bible provides guidance on which marriages are considered forbidden and unacceptable to the Lord.

Understanding biblical principles on marriage helps us make God-honoring decisions in choosing a spouse. This article will explore what constitutes Forbidden Marriages in the Bible.

Key Takeaways on Forbidden Marriages

• God designed marriage and places certain restrictions on unions He considers forbidden:
  • Believers are not to marry unbelievers
  • Incestuous marriages between close relatives are prohibited
  • Adultery strongly condemned
  • All sexual immorality outside marriage forbidden
• Examples of forbidden marriages in the Old Testament led to negative consequences, illustrating why God’s instructions are good.
• God’s purposes in restricting certain marriages aim to protect relationships and promote godly living.
• When addressing forbidden unions, the church should balance grace and truth while relying on prayer, counseling, community support, and trusting God’s redemption.
• Honoring God’s standards for marriage remains crucial for couples to experience oneness and fulfill His sacred purposes.

Types of Forbidden Marriages in Scripture

The Bible prohibits several specific categories of unions. The following table summarizes the various forms of forbidden marriages referenced in scripture:

Type of Forbidden Marriage	Scripture References
Believers marrying unbelievers	2 Corinthians 6:14
Incest between close relatives	Leviticus 18:6-18
Adultery	Exodus 20:14, Matthew 5:27-28
Sexual immorality	1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19
Incestuous marriage example	1 Corinthians 5
Intermarriage with pagans	Judges 14 (Samson)
Multiple pagan wives	1 Kings 11 (Solomon)

As outlined throughout this article, God designed marriage and placed protective boundaries around certain relationships He deemed unsuitable. These prohibited unions went against His purposes and often led to individual and familial harm. By understanding scripture’s clear teachings on forbidden marriages, believers can make wise decisions and honor God in their romantic relationships.

What Does the Bible Say About Believers Marrying Unbelievers?

One of the clearest principles in scripture is that believers should not marry unbelievers. Passages such as 2 Corinthians 6:14 state:

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

The imagery of not being “unequally yoked” with unbelievers emphasizes that marriage is incredibly difficult when couples do not share the same faith. Just as two oxen pulling a plow in different directions will go nowhere, two spouses progressing in opposite spiritual directions will only lead to pain and conflict.

Marriage requires unity, mutual understanding, and walking in the same direction. Marrying someone who does not share your devotion to Christ makes this extremely difficult. Even if the unbelieving spouse agrees to a Christian ceremony or allowing you to attend church, they still do not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit nor understand biblical principles for marriage, parenting, and decision-making.

As Deuteronomy 7:3-4 warned the Israelites:

“Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods.”

This warning remains relevant today. Entering into marriage with an unbeliever often leads the believing spouse to compromise their morals, values, and relationship with God.

God Forbids Incestuous Marriages Between Close Relatives

Another category of forbidden marriage according to scripture is that between close blood relatives. Passages such as Leviticus 18:6-18 forbid sexual relations and marriage between parents and children, siblings, aunts/uncles with nieces/nephews, and several other close relations:

“‘No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the Lord…”You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother…the nakedness of your sister…your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter…your father’s sister…your mother’s sister…your father’s brother…your father’s wife… your brother’s wife…”

The punishment for engaging in incestuous relationships was being “cut off” from the people, emphasizing how seriously God viewed this sin.

Even in the New Testament, incest is included in lists of wickedness that is displeasing to God (1 Corinthians 5:1). His design for marriage was between one man and woman, not close family members.

Also Read: Where is King David in the Bible? Examining His Failures Alongside His Victories

Adultery is Strictly Forbidden

Adultery constitutes having sexual relations with someone who is not your spouse, regardless of marital status. This forbidden type of union is emphatically condemned throughout scripture.

Exodus 20:14, the 7th commandment given to Moses, states: “You shall not commit adultery.”

Jesus himself emphasized the severity of adultery in Matthew 5:27-28, teaching that lustfully looking at someone who is not your spouse is just as spiritually akin to the physical act:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

He again stressed the seriousness of adultery in Matthew 19:9, saying:

“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Adultery is devastating to marriages and families. The pain and betrayal of a spouse being unfaithful cuts to the very heart of the marriage covenant. Those who engage in adultery or tempting others to commit this forbidden act are sternly warned in scripture of God’s impending judgment.

Also Read: How Many Times is Forgiveness Mentioned in the Bible?

Sexual Immorality of All Types is Forbidden

Beyond the strict prohibitions against incest and adultery, the Bible speaks strongly against all forms of sexual immorality. Sexual relations are permitted only between husband and wife within the marriage covenant.

Passages such as Colossians 3:5 tell us:

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3 also admonishes:

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.”

This includes sexual relations before marriage (fornication), homosexual relations (1 Corinthians 6:9), using prostitutes (1 Corinthians 6:15-16), and any other sexual act outside of marriage between husband and wife.

The marriage bed is to remain undefiled, kept holy and set apart from worldly sexual ethics (Hebrews 13:4). God designed physical intimacy as a sacred blessing to be enjoyed exclusively within marriage. Violating his standards for purity and holiness in this area constitutes forbidden unions.

Guidance For Choosing a Godly Spouse

Rather than describing marriage restrictions, parts of the New Testament provide guidance on the kind of spouse to pursue and qualities to develop in oneself.

For example, 1 Timothy 3:1-7 outlines qualifications for overseers but includes traits like being above reproach, self-controlled, gentle, not quick-tempered, hospitable, and able to manage his household well. Likewise, 1 Timothy 3:8-12 gives qualifications for deacons.

While directed at church leaders, these traits demonstrate qualities of maturity and godliness that make for wise choices in a marriage partner as well. Other passages speak of cultivating the fruits of the spirit like patience, faithfulness, peace, kindness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These attributes allow any marriage to flourish.

Proverbs 31 describes a wife of noble character who is trustworthy, industrious, intelligent, generous, and dedicated to caring for her family. While few possess every virtue described, it provides a beautiful picture of godly womanhood. Similarly, Ephesians 5:25 instructs husbands to love their wives sacrificially as Christ loved the church.

Seeking a partner who exhibits such spiritual maturity remains the best pathway to a strong, God-honoring marriage that avoids forbidden unions.

Old Testament Examples of Forbidden Marriages

The Old Testament contains several examples of forbidden marriages that brought about devastating consequences. These serve as sobering warnings about disregarding God’s standards for marriage.

Samson’s Marriage to a Philistine

One infamous example is Samson’s marriage to a Philistine woman, recorded in Judges 14. God had commanded the Israelites not to intermarry with the pagan nations around them. Yet Samson insisted on an arranged marriage with a Philistine woman from Timnah.

This union ended in betrayal, as the Timnite woman gave away the secret of Samson’s strength to the Philistine rulers. She ultimately married one of the very men who later captured and blinded Samson after his strength faded.

Samson’s forbidden marriage led to his downfall because he disregarded God’s command against being unequally yoked. His story warns believers about allowing attraction and desires to override wisdom in selecting a spouse.

Solomon’s Many Wives Turn His Heart from God

Another stark example is King Solomon, renown for his wisdom yet swayed by forbidden marriages. 1 Kings 11:1-3 records:

But King Solomon loved many foreign women…He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God.

Despite God gifting him with unmatched wisdom, Solomon allowed lust and disobedience to lead him into marrying pagan women. Over time, they turned his heart from wholehearted devotion to God. This remains a grave warning about allowing unbelieving spouses to lead our hearts astray.

God’s Judgment on Incestuous Marriage

One final Old Testament example is the severe judgment brought on the Corinthian church for an incestuous marriage recorded in 1 Corinthians 5. A man had his father’s wife, which even unbelievers recognized as deeply taboo.

Yet the church tolerated this sin, leading Paul to harshly rebuke them and instruct that the man be removed from fellowship. He warned that “a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough” (1 Cor 5:6). One case of incestuous marriage poisoned the entire church.

Paul ordered them to immediately expel this man to avoid God’s judgment on the whole congregation. This incident displays how seriously God regards incestuous unions as forbidden.

Why God Forbids Certain Marriages

When we understand the reasons behind God’s prohibitions of certain marriages, we can see his intentions are good, not controlling.

Protecting Close Familial Bonds

Banning incest protects the parent-child bond and maintains proper roles within families. Marrying close relatives confuses these relationships established by God and often arises from distorted attachment.

Ensuring Pure Worship

God forbade interfaith marriage to pagan nations to preserve Israelites’ worship of Him alone. When believers marry nonbelievers today, families can experience similar divided loyalties between spouses’ conflicting beliefs and priorities.

Maintaining Sexual Purity

God designed physical intimacy to reinforce marital love and commitment. Sex outside marriage violates his protective boundaries, damaging relationships and opening the door to exploitation.

Cultivating Oneness

Marriage symbolically represents Christ’s relationship with the church (Eph 5:32). But divided spiritual commitments hinder couples from achieving the oneness of fully sharing life together God intended.

Avoiding Unequal Partnerships

Being “unequally yoked” joins two mismatching forces moving different directions. This disconnect frequently leads to friction and imbalance within marriages.

Preventing Negative Influences

God warned unbelieving spouses would sway believers’ hearts away from wholehearted devotion to Him. Unlike iron, marriage does not sharpen iron when worldviews completely differ.

Protecting Innocents from Harm

Incestuous relations arising from distorted attachment and blurred roles deeply harm vulnerable family members. God’s laws aimed to prevent such damage.

Guidelines for Addressing Forbidden Marriages

How should believers faithfully uphold God’s marriage principles when faced with forbidden unions today?

• Speak truth with love. Unbiblical relationships must be addressed, but with grace, not condemnation (Eph 4:15). Make use of wisdom from mature believers.
• Prioritize reconciliation. For existing marriages, focus first on bringing couples to repentance and spiritual renewal to reconcile the marriage. But separation may be needed to prevent ongoing harm.
• Set healthy boundaries. Establish wise boundaries around unhealthy family relationships characterized by blurred roles or inappropriate attachment. Limit unsupervised interactions.
• Seek professional Christian counseling. Skilled counselors can uncover root issues and provide specialized support. But ensure counselors share biblical values on marriage and sexuality.
• Pray and intercede. Bring the struggles boldly before God’s throne of grace. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring conviction, repentance, healing, and restoration.
• Rely on the church community. Allow other believers to support and encourage individuals working through difficult family situations related to forbidden unions.
• Trust God’s redemption. Though the effects of forbidden unions run deep, God’s grace runs deeper. Pray for His redemption in families and rely on Christ’s transformative power.

Conclusion

Marriage remains a sacred gift from God, but some unions stand opposed to his design. As believers, we must uphold scriptural standards for marriage laid out consistently across both Old and New Testaments. When we ignore God’s guidelines, great harm results, affecting families and future generations.

Yet even when forbidden marriages occur, the church must balance speaking truth with demonstrating Christlike compassion. Our mission involves restoring Godly principles of marriage and sexuality while relying on the Holy Spirit’s power to heal, transform, and redeem. Just as God patiently woos His people back to Himself, we must faithfully draw prodigal sons and daughters back to the Father.