Scripture Post #1,437: *MARRIED TO HIS NIECE*

 

Genesis 11:29: 

"And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah."

Disclaimer: Image taken from search engine. 

Context:

Gen. 11:27: "Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot."

V. 28: "And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees."

V. 29: "And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah."

Abram's (Abraham) brother, Nahor, married Milcah, Abram and Nahor's niece—their brother, Haran's daughter. 

In those days, marrying a family member wasn't bizarre, but expected. It kept the family name strong. Immediate-family inbreeding was bizarre, however. Siblings didn't marry. But second cousins did. 

Originally Published: Fri. 8 • 19 • 16