Bible Dictionary
Concubine
A concubine was a woman joined to a man in a secondary marital relationship and household position. The Old Testament regulates the practice, while the teaching of Christ restores marriage to its proper covenantal character.
Biblical Usage
The Mosaic law assumed and regulated concubinage and provided protections in particular cases. The children of concubines could belong to a supplementary family and received provision according to the father’s will. The New Testament teaching restores marriage to its sacred character and ranks concubinage with fornication and adultery.
Scripture References