Bible Study 105.2, The Generations of Adam, Commentary
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This topic is tricky, not because of any moral or natural reason, but because of culture clash. Today, we will look at some of the physical mechanisms behind the possibility of the human race being produced by 2 people. We are all taught incest is wrong because of the biological problems it creates. For a while, it's been know that incest produces handicapped children due to the amplification of mutated genes. Shall we recap some biology?
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"Belta, what does this have to do with Adam, Havah and their children? And how does this explain incest?" - you may ask.
Well, the catch is in the context. Firstly, the Garden of Eden biology of Adam and Havah was said to be perfect. The two were unhindered by any ailment or disability, since their bodies were made spotless. This, of course, would mean that the detriment of mutated DNA would not exist. Their genetics were pure and no harmful changes to their coding was affecting their children. How does this translate to incest? Well, the problem with incest, as mentioned earlier, is that mutations in the DNA become pronounced when two people with the same, or similar DNA procreate. However, remove those mutations and you have 2 good pairs of DNA exchanging genes, resulting a perfectly healthy child, without any of the defects we associate with incest. Mutations create the problem. No mutations = no problem.
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Is it? Some people claim that the Bible condemns incest. But it actually doesn't. Incest wasn't even a term until not that long ago. This is where we also enter cultural differences. A long time ago, lets say 1000-2000-3000 years ago, marrying a relative was not unheard of. In some places it was even the norm. We know that royal families are meticulous about marriage arrangements. In the past, that was also true of most households. Because of inheritance laws, marrying into the family was a necessity so that the family wealth does not decrease. This was especially true of middle-class families who had no prospect of moving up the ladder in this generation. Can we find evidence of this in the Bible? Yes, we can. Actually, at least a few.
1: Pre-Flood World: Adam and Havah were genetically identical; Eve was made from his rib. Also, all of their children would intermarry.
2: Post-Flood: The children of Shem, Cham and Yaphet would intermarry, by necessity.
3: Jacob (or Ya'aqov) went to his uncle, Lavan, and eventually married his two daughters, his first cousins.
4: All the tribes of Israel would marry into their family and tribe to keep their inheritance. This is not set in stone, of course. It mainly concerns women. Since inheritance went through the father and male heir, then as long as a family had a male heir their inheritance stayed within the tribe. However, if the family had only daughters, then the daughters would likely marry within their tribe. Lets say a family of the tribe of Re'uven has only daughters. Then at least one of those daughters would marry a man from Re'uven to keep their property within the tribe. Therefore, they would be marrying relatives, usually cousins.
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None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am Yahuwah. The nakedness of your father, or the nakedness of your mother shall you not uncover: she is your mother; you shall not uncover her nakedness. The nakedness of your father's woman shall you not uncover: it is your father's nakedness. The nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether she be born at home, or abroad, even their nakedness you shall not uncover.......... (Lev 18:6-9)
That sounds pretty plain, right? Well, yes, in a way. Firstly, we must agree that all of the people this is referring to are technically the product of incest over 2-3000 years. Secondly, Leviticus is an explanation of how to keep God's law. The 10 Commandments are the pillars of the law. Every other law is an extension of how to keep those ten. This particular law concerns 'You shall not break wedlock'; 'Honour your father and your mother' 'You shall not covet'. Marital relations are sacred and committing adultery with a married, or unmarried person is a sin. This extends to incestuous relationships as well. It is important to not that you cannot marry your father or mother, since they are already married to each other. However, if you marry your cousin, he/she is no longer just a cousin but your betrothed.
But there may be another reason why God gives this commandment now and not earlier. As we said before, humanity's genetics were pure in the early years of Creation. However, by the time of Mosheh there would surely have been quite a few mutations accumulated. Thus, incest would no longer be a safe practice. Therefore, God prohibits it out of concern for future generations, just as he allowed Noach and his decedents to eat meat after the flood, unlike their ancestors who were only allowed to eat plant food. These are rules which are set in place to preserve the sinful human race as long as possible before the end, in a world which is increasingly full of damage and faithlessness, as well as keep the Israelite nation together in order to bring forth Yeshuah the Messiah.
In summary - is incest unhealthy? Yes it is, in our times. Is it morally wrong? No, as long as the people are wed. God did not mind incest when our DNA was in tact. But as we went further and further away from him, he had to give our manual an extension.
See you soon in our next episode!
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