hopefulLandlord:
Also where's age of consent given in the bible and where's paedophilia and child marriage condemned?

U will av to create another thread for this

My interest lays in that tribes or the Op should have ask the question without mentioning Tribe then my view could have been from Bible only. So if I may ask , do you support such marriage?

asuustrike1:

The title is paraphrase as Christian perspective to cousin marriage. The poster [b]agrees that many tribes [/b]frown at such marriage but he is more concern about Christian view on cousin marriage.

udemzyudex:
Christianity just tire me I swear, you never see a Muslim arguing about what is written in the Quran but Christians will always do.

Well I don't blame them, the bible sometimes contradict itself.

you can say that again

Shedrack777:
No! In the northern Nigeria here, the Hausa Christians do practice it, but my culture Urhobo, forbids it. But a pastor once told me the Bible doesn't forbid it. How true is this? Pls more contributions needed

Its also allow in Islam

Thanks for your contribution because the comments here no pure ooo.
Imaging me marrying my cousin. Fear no go allow me mention such forbidden word's from my mouth before my elders. God forbid bad tin

jrusky:
Pls don't bring topic like this here. Leave Christianity out of this ok beside ask yourself does it make sense you getting marry to your own cousin pls ask yourself?

What kind of post or thread is this?. That is rubbish ok. Better not to marry than to be sleeping with your cousin. What nonsense is that pls leave bible out of it it's a total madness.

AleAirHub:
My interest lays in that tribes or the Op should have ask the question without mentioning Tribe then my view could have been from Bible only. So if I may ask , do you support such marriage?

No I don't support such marricousin.There is one passage of Scripture that clearly forbids marrying various relatives, but interestingly enough the “cousin” is not included in that list. Leviticus 18:6 says, “None of you shall approach any blood relative of his to uncover unclothedness” (NASB). In other words, one is NOT to have sexual relations with a close relative. The relatives included are listed in verses 7-18:
“Your mother”;
“Your father’s wife” (your “stepmother”);
“Your father’s daughter” (your “sister”);
“Your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter” (your granddaughter);
“Your father’s wife’s daughter” (your “half-sister”);
“Your father’s sister” or “your mother’s sister” (your aunt);
“Your father’s brother” (your uncle)
“Your son’s wife” (your daughter-in-law)
“Your brother’s wife” (your sister-in-law)
“Your step-granddaughter”
Again, the “cousin” is NOT included in this list of relatives, so some believe it is okay to marry a cousin. They may also point to actual examples of “cousin marriage” in Scripture. One of the most popular cases is that of Jacob marrying his cousin Rachel. In fact, he was commanded to do this by his father Isaac as we see in Genesis 28:1-2: “So Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and charged him, and said to him, ‘You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan. Arise, go to Paddan-aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father; and from there take to yourself a wife from the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother.” I personally believe that Isaac had God’s Mind when he charged Jacob to seek a wife among his cousins that lived in Paddan-aram. Having said that, Jacob went a step further and also married his cousin Leah, and Scripture is quite clear that God never condoned polygamy (though God’s grace came in and blessed Jacob in both marriages by providing him with 12 sons who made up the nation of Israel).
The fact that “cousin marriage” was NOT forbidden in Leviticus 18:6-18 seems to give one liberty to do so, but there are other things to consider. Perhaps the two greatest questions would be: 1) Would marrying your cousin affect your relationships with your other family members, your friends, or your neighbors? 2) Is it legal to marry your cousin where you live? The second question is easy to answer, but the first one may involve some real soul-searching, for in many minds there is a definite stigma attached to marrying any relative, no matter how “distant” it may be. If they do, one could expect some form of persecution or shunning from them. I should also mention that “some” studies have been done that show a possible risk of birth defects in children of “first cousin marriages,” so one must be aware of this potential danger if they are considering marrying their first cousin

stanliwise:
technically speaking it is true, you can marry your 4th - infinity generation cousin but marrying your immediate family lead to many genetic disaster and bad mutation. marry a cousin from like four generation apart would avert this effect because alot of other families blood has been mixed. Also everyone is our distant cousin

The neanderthals became Extinct due majorly to inbreeding if humans adopt same line of action... then we're headinf for the same fate

thhttpspost.com/2019/02/12/neanderthals-wiped-themselves-out-through-inbreeding/

Cc Shedrack777

I'm okay with that your write up which I have already BOLD in the quote.
Thanks & do have a wonderful day ahead Sir.

asuustrike1:

No I don't support such marricousin There is one passage of Scripture that clearly forbids marrying various relatives, but interestingly enough the “cousin” is not included in that list. Leviticus 18:6 says, “None of you shall approach any blood relative of his to uncover unclothedness” (NASB). In other words, one is NOT to have sexual relations with a close relative. The relatives included are listed in verses 7-18:
“Your mother”;
“Your father’s wife” (your “stepmother”);
“Your father’s daughter” (your “sister”);
“Your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter” (your granddaughter);
“Your father’s wife’s daughter” (your “half-sister”);
“Your father’s sister” or “your mother’s sister” (your aunt);
“Your father’s brother” (your uncle)
“Your son’s wife” (your daughter-in-law)
“Your brother’s wife” (your sister-in-law)
“Your step-granddaughter”
Again, the “cousin” is NOT included in this list of relatives, so some believe it is okay to marry a cousin. They may also point to actual examples of “cousin marriage” in Scripture. One of the most popular cases is that of Jacob marrying his cousin Rachel. In fact, he was commanded to do this by his father Isaac as we see in Genesis 28:1-2: “So Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and charged him, and said to him, ‘You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan. Arise, go to Paddan-aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father; and from there take to yourself a wife from the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother.” I personally believe that Isaac had God’s Mind when he charged Jacob to seek a wife among his cousins that lived in Paddan-aram. Having said that, Jacob went a step further and also married his cousin Leah, and Scripture is quite clear that God never condoned polygamy (though God’s grace came in and blessed Jacob in both marriages by providing him with 12 sons who made up the nation of Israel).
The fact that “cousin marriage” was NOT forbidden in Leviticus 18:6-18 seems to give one liberty to do so, but there are other things to consider. Perhaps the two greatest questions would be: 1) Would marrying your cousin affect your relationships with your other family members, your friends, or your neighbors? 2) Is it legal to marry your cousin where you live? The second question is easy to answer, but the first one may involve some real soul-searching, for in many minds there is a definite stigma attached to marrying any relative, no matter how “distant” it may be. If they do, one could expect some form of persecution or shunning from them. I should also mention that “some” studies have been done that show a possible risk of birth defects in children of “first cousin marriages,” so one must be aware of this potential danger if they are considering marrying their first cousin

abormination topic. Am not in part of it

DavidEsq:
Leviticus 20:29 says: ‘You must not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister or your father’s sister, because that would be exposing a blood relative to shame. They should answer for their error". Taking instructions from this scripture, the underlying reason for this prohibited sexual relations is based on the close blood connection. Since ur cousin is the child of ur mother's/father's sister/brother, there is a clear cut close blood relations between u.
Taking the cue from Hebrews 5:14 which says: "But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong", it goes without saying that, it is not every wrong that is written in black and white but thru use of our reasoning with the scriptures, we discover these wrongs a rights. So u shldn't marry ur cousin.

Later, some useless fools and hypocrite will say this is OLD TESTAMENT

DONT mind OP...HE HAS SLEPT WITH HIS RELATIVE AN NEED SOMEONE TO AGREE WITH HIM THAT ITS RIGHT...
THEREBY RENDENDERING ALL EVIVENCE UNACCEPTABLE..
JUST FREE AM

And you are busy looking for the exact word COUSIN
Is your cousin not a close relative??

Hausa and muslim in the north marry their cousins,are they not nigerians

ChristineC:
No but I think Nigerian customs don't condone it. common sense should also tell you it's not proper health wise

Bible and wedding rings
By KC & Christie Smith


Introduction

No website dealing with cousin relationships would be complete without exploring the Christian viewpoint. Christianity is a very large tent. From Appalachian snake handlers to the majestic liturgy of Eastern Orthodoxy, Christian beliefs run the full gamut. In this discussion, we will consider only the biblical history and acceptance of cousin relationships, as opposed to institutional creeds. (For a complete discussion on the Catholic Church, please see our Chat with an Expert page.)

For much of the world's population, the Bible is the final authority on right and wrong. This is true both of devout Christians as well as those who may have some vague, indiscernible root in the Christian faith. Perhaps Christianity was the faith of one's parent or grandparent, and although the individual does not particularly follow the faith, they were ingrained from childhood that God is the ultimate authority, and the Bible is God's instruction book to mankind. Whether one truly believes in the Bible or not, it seems to have become a social standard to attribute one's own assumptions of right from wrong on scripture. Unfortunately, many times the person who claims that something is "a sin against God," or that an individual will "burn in Hell" for his actions or lifestyle have no clear understanding of what Scripture says on the subject. Perhaps even more unfortunate is that many preachers, priests, and theologians have also allowed society to cloud their judgment on the issue, rather than to study what the Bible has to say on the subject for themselves.

A look at Leviticus

The Bible has a great deal to say about cousin marriage, and not once does it say anything negative. To the contrary, all references to cousin marriage in scripture are 100% supportive. Let's look first at how the Bible defines sexual impurity. In Leviticus chapter 18 (KJV), God tells us that we are not to have sexual relations with the following:

any close relative (which you will clearly see does not include cousins)

your mother

your father's wife

your sister, (whole or half) "whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere" (v.9)

your grandchild

the daughter of your father's wife (step-sister)

your father's sister (aunt) "as she is your father's close relative"

your mother's sister (aunt) "as she is your mother's close relative"

your father's brother's wife (aunt)

your son's wife

your brother's wife

with both a woman and her daughter

your wife's sister as a rival wife (to spite your first wife)

during "uncleanness of her monthly period"

with your neighbor's wife

with a member of the same sex; the Bible says "that is detestable"

with an animal; the Bible refers to this as "a perversion"


Those who oppose cousin marriage often use "any close relative" to base their opposition on. Others will say that just because cousins aren't specifically referred to doesn't mean God didn't mean to include them. They insist this list is just a general rule of thumb, not an all-inclusive command. I disagree. Leviticus is a book of law. It is very specific and very definitive. The passage begins with "any close relative", and proceeds to describe all that God defines as near kin, followed by other sexual acts which God forbids. To say that God meant to include cousins is to assume God made a mistake. To say that it is only a general list, you must wonder why God was so very specific that He included beastiality, homosexuality, and sex during a woman's menstrual cycle. Furthermore, the Scripture clearly and unmistakably defines an aunt (a mother's or father's sister) as the parent's close relative, not as one's own.

Historically, the Jews have never considered a cousin to be a "close relative" or too close to marry. In fact, professor Guntry (Westmont College) states that Jews in the 1st century often married cousins. "Cousins on the father's side were most preferred, though not always possible" (p. 35).

Now you may wonder why Leviticus forbids a man to marry his aunt, but not a woman to marry her uncle. Some may use that as proof that God gave only generalities. This is a common misunderstanding; however, God did not forbid uncles and nieces from marriage. Why the double standard?

First let me explain that society changes. Culture changes. God does not change. What was common during Biblical times is not acceptable by today's standards. That being said, let's examine why God would allow a man to marry his niece but would not allow a woman to marry her nephew.

When a woman was left widowed, the men in her husband's family were required to take responsibility of the woman. The deceased husband's nearest kin was commanded to take her as his wife. If she had borne no children to her husband, her firstborn to his relative was to be the legitimate heir to the deceased spouse. However, the nearest kin was also required to have the approval of his first wife before taking on a second. If the first wife was opposed to the marriage, or was related to the widow within the defined prohibitions, then she became the responsibility of the next nearest kin. The brother of the deceased was generally the obvious choice, although a widow's marriage to her father in law was fairly common. Because cousin marriage was allowed by God's law, and was in fact commanded of many individuals throughout scripture, the deceased husband's nearest relative was often the widow's uncle. If neither a brother nor father to the deceased was an option, the next nearest kin appears to have always followed a lateral or ascending direction. In no instance did a widow become the marital responsibility of her late husband's son, or his brother's son.

I will briefly list some of the individuals commanded or otherwise instructed in scripture to marry a cousin. For further information on these individuals and the circumstances, you may choose to read the scriptural passages associated with each. More detailed information will be included in the forthcoming book, which will be made available on this website upon completion.

Biblical Cousin Marriages

Each of the following individuals in scripture were in the lineage of Mary, Christ's mother, or Joseph, his "earthly" father, who were chosen by God to raise His son. Most, if not all, occurred (chronologically) after the time in which Levitican law was written. Zelophehad's daughters did as the LORD commanded Moses. Zelophehad's daughters, Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah and Noah, married their cousins on their father's side (Numbers 36:1-11).

Milcah was married to her cousin, Nahor. They had a grand daughter named Rebekkah. In Genesis 24:48-51, the story unfolds of how, against all odds, God's direction for her to marry her cousin's son Isaac (first cousin once removed) is made crystal clear.

Isaac and Rebekkah had two son's. Jacob was the son whom was blessed to fulfill God's prophecy that the descendant's of Abraham (Jacob's grandfather, Isaac's father) would become a great nation. Isaac instructed Jacob to marry a daughter of Rebekkah's brother. Although he immediately fell in love and became engaged to his cousin Rachel, his uncle tricked him into first marrying Rachel's sister Leah. Although God blessed Jacob greatly, Jacob suffered much grief and heartache for having married both sisters. Jacob's descendants became what is now known as the twelve tribes of Israel. (Genesis chapters 19 and 29)

In I Chronicles 23:22, Eleazar's daughters married their first cousins. Very little detail is given of this event.

Conclusion


Biblical prohibitions of cousin marriage reside only in the minds of the unlearned. We can find many instances of where God had blessed cousin marriage. In fact, the New Advent encyclopedia finds that Christ's parents -- Joseph & Mary-- were first cousins. Protestants come to the same conclusion. Do I believe that Joseph and Mary were first cousins? It's likely, but I do not need this to validate my relationship. It will be fun to tease Joseph and Mary a bit when I get up there.


Bibliography

Gundry, R., (2003). A Survey of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.


Copyright 2006 KC & Christie Schuler Smith for CUDDLE International and CousinCouples.com

Shedrack777:
Hi everyone! To the subject above, I know some traditions forbids marriage between cousins. But does the Bible forbids it? If yes, back up your claim with scriptural references from the Bible. Thanks for your contribution

It may not be explicitly forbidden in the Bible but life is different now.

In old Testament there was the need to preserve marry within the Jewish/Abrahamic family. That left little outside options available in choosing a spouse. Now all Christians are children of Abraham and marriage options are vast.

Back then in the Bible too marrying a girl of 14 to 16 was acceptable. But that counts as paedophilia now. You wouldn't do it because the Bible allowed it thousands of years ago. Culture and religion evolve, not static.

In the Bible, those marriages were expressly permitted by God considering the prevailing circumstances then. Such is not the case now.

We know now that genetic problems arising from people of same grandparents marring are many. As seen in cousin marriages among some Asian sub-continental cultures of Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.

Scientifically, it will lead to inbreeding which can be dangerous health-wise.
Culturally, it's forbidden by our culture but tolerated elsewhere particularly in the middle East.
Religiously, it's also forbidden..

In Christ there is no Jew or gentle. There is no father or mother, brother or sister, uncle or aunt etc. We are the same and equal. So there is no limit to who we can have sex with. Just dey nack dey go. Afterall God punished someone in the bible for pouring on ground.

martolux:
Agreed... but was the law written (book of Leviticus) before they married their cousins or after? Who else in the bible married his or her cousin after the law was written? ?

Caleb said, “Whoever strikes Kiriath-sepher and captures it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter as wife.” Othniel was given his cousin, Achsah, as wife. Joshua 15:16-17
Rehoboam son of Solomon and Naamah,[31] married Maacah daughter of Absalom.[32] 2 samuel 14:27 does not list Maacah as daughter of Absalom[33] but Absalom seems having sex with wives of David, his father at the advice of Ahithophel.[34] 2 Chronicles 11:20
From wikipedia article incest in the bible.

mrhipup:
Prohibited to you (For marriage) are:- Your mothers, daughters, sisters; father's sisters, Mother's sisters; brother's daughters, sister's daughters; foster-mothers (Who gave you suck), foster-sisters; your wives' mothers; your step-daughters under your guardianship, born of your wives to whom ye have gone in,- no prohibition if ye have not gone in;- (Those who have been) wives of your sons proceeding from your loins; and two sisters in wedlock at one and the same time, except for what is past; for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful;-
Quran 4:23

Which means "cousins" are not prohibited! Can you create a thread on this, so we also get to know from the perspective of Islam. Thanks!

DavidEsq:
Leviticus 20:29 says: ‘You must not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister or your father’s sister, because that would be exposing a blood relative to shame. They should answer for their error". Taking instructions from this scripture, the underlying reason for this prohibited sexual relations is based on the close blood connection. Since ur cousin is the child of ur mother's/father's sister/brother, there is a clear cut close blood relations between u.
Taking the cue from Hebrews 5:14 which says: "But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong", it goes without saying that, it is not every wrong that is written in black and white but thru use of our reasoning with the scriptures, we discover these wrongs a rights. So u shldn't marry ur cousin.

...very very very wrong.... The Jews that followed the old testament religiously did marry there cousins... Cousin marriage right from biblical times were not sinful infact they were admired unions.... The Jews still practise that till today... Why cousin marriage is sinful is more of a western thing not religious.... Western value was mixed with Christian value... And also it wrong ethnically in many ethnic group ....the bible stated explicitly who not to have a sexual relationship with... And those who say cousins are like your brother or sister, that's wrong.... Your cousin is neither your brother or sister

hopefulLandlord:
Also where's age of consent given in the bible and where's paedophilia and child marriage condemned?

...it has even been researched and find out that Mary mother of Jesus was pregnant at around 14 years... It was normal at that time for a woman to be given for marriage... Actually western value changed our concept.... Because now we see ladies at 14 getting married and we shout paedophile but in real sense do you know it was normal and not sinful during biblical times for women to marry at that age and even younger... Then now ask your self, if it was norm during biblical times why do we say it's sinful now.... It's all as a result of civilization and westernization and nothing to do with Religion

Biblically, it isn't wrong. Culturally, well, it depends on the culture, some forbid it, others do not.

Chiderao1:
And you are busy looking for the exact word COUSIN
Is your cousin not a close relative??

....no... The Jews that followed the old testament religiously marries and still marry there cousin till today.. . This topic might seem tabooish because of your ethnic value but ask your pastor or research yourself.... There is no wrong biblically in marrying your cousin.... It was a norm and very usual during the biblical times... Why you see it wrong it's because western value was mixed with Christianity.... And also ethnicity, for it's wrong in most ethnic groups... It has nothing to do with Religion.....same can be said about the age women used to get married at that time, if it's done now you will shout paedophilia but it was very normal and not sinful biblically

all this thing's were done in the old testament and after the death of our lord Jesus Christ new law's were set

is forbidden in Christianity

Polyner:
is forbidden in Christianity

That's not true.

For my own contributions, based on the scriptures there is no place the bible condemns cousins marriages.And without beating about the bush for nothing, pick the bible and read Lev.18:6-18,and you will definitely get the better print of the picture.

No! In the northern Nigeria here, the Hausa Christians do practice it, but my culture Urhobo, forbids it. But a pastor once told me the Bible doesn't forbid it. How true is this? Pls more contributions needed[/quote]

Stop peddling false info dumb ass! Only the Fulani & a few Hausa practice such. Besides, not everybody in the North is Hausa. We all have our various ethnic nationalities. Why do you people from the South assume everybody is Hausa in the North? Worst is una too dey stereotype. Abeg get your facts right before you assume you know all.

Shedrack777:
Hi everyone! To the subject above, I know some traditions forbids marriage between cousins. But does the Bible forbids it? If yes, back up your claim with scriptural references from the Bible. Thanks for your contribution

This sounds abominable.
I just wonder how my daughter can marry my nephew. It sounds and looks impossible. My nephew is like my son.
Some localities even extend it to whole village.
In my village in Onitsha, we can't even marry each other. You must marry from another village.
I even think there are some villages that can't even marry amongst themselves.