פילגש. This term, in western authors, commonly signifies, a
woman, who, without being married to a man, yet lives with him as his
wife; but, in the sacred writers, the word concubine is understood in
another sense; meaning a lawful wife, but one not wedded with all the
ceremonies and solemnities of matrimony; a wife of the second rank,
inferior to the first wife, or mistress of the house. Children of
concubines did not inherit their father’s fortune; but he might provide
for, and make presents to, them. Thus Abraham, by Sarah his wife, had
Isaac, his heir; but, by his two concubines, Hagar and Keturah, he had
other children, whom he did not make equal to Isaac. As polygamy was
tolerated in the east, it was common to see in every family, beside
lawful wives, several concubines. Since the abrogation of polygamy by
Jesus Christ, and the restoration of marriage to its primitive
institution, concubinage is ranked with adultery or fornication.
woman, who, without being married to a man, yet lives with him as his
wife; but, in the sacred writers, the word concubine is understood in
another sense; meaning a lawful wife, but one not wedded with all the
ceremonies and solemnities of matrimony; a wife of the second rank,
inferior to the first wife, or mistress of the house. Children of
concubines did not inherit their father’s fortune; but he might provide
for, and make presents to, them. Thus Abraham, by Sarah his wife, had
Isaac, his heir; but, by his two concubines, Hagar and Keturah, he had
other children, whom he did not make equal to Isaac. As polygamy was
tolerated in the east, it was common to see in every family, beside
lawful wives, several concubines. Since the abrogation of polygamy by
Jesus Christ, and the restoration of marriage to its primitive
institution, concubinage is ranked with adultery or fornication.