Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve

[Bran_Stark]

As I understand it, one of the most common explanations of the origin of the third generation of the human species is that the second generation married each other, such unions being for a time allowed by divine dispensation. I happen to think this the most likely one myself.

But my question is…

If this theory is correct, does it not mean that brother-sister marriage is not inherently wrong, but rather simply at the current time forbidden? Is it not then theoretically possible that in the future it could be allowed once more?

Also, in Genesis 20:12 Abraham says of Sarah “And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife”. If so, does this not mean that even at the time of the Patriarchs - when other women were surely available - it was lawful for Abraham to take her to wife?

 

[1ke]

As I understand it, one of the most common explanations of the origin of the third generation of the human species is that the second generation married each other, such unions being for a time allowed by divine dispensation. I happen to think this the most likely one myself.

But my question is…

If this theory is correct, does it not mean that brother-sister marriage is not inherently wrong, but rather simply at the current time forbidden? Is it not then theoretically possible that in the future it could be allowed once more?

Also, in Genesis 20:12 Abraham says of Sarah “And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife”. If so, does this not mean that even at the time of the Patriarchs - when other women were surely available - it was lawful for Abraham to take her to wife?

I think this article gives a full treatment to your question:

newadvent.org/cathen/04264a.htm

But, note, the Catholic Encyclopedia was written when the 1917 Code of Canon Law was in effect. Therefore it’s computation of degrees of kinship is not accurate for today’s purposes. The 1983 Code of Canon Law changed the way in which degree is computed.

 

[choy]

As I understand it, one of the most common explanations of the origin of the third generation of the human species is that the second generation married each other, such unions being for a time allowed by divine dispensation. I happen to think this the most likely one myself.

But my question is…

If this theory is correct, does it not mean that brother-sister marriage is not inherently wrong, but rather simply at the current time forbidden? Is it not then theoretically possible that in the future it could be allowed once more?

Also, in Genesis 20:12 Abraham says of Sarah “And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife”. If so, does this not mean that even at the time of the Patriarchs - when other women were surely available - it was lawful for Abraham to take her to wife?

there’s an interesting theory by Creationists that the reason why brother-sister marriage was not forbidden back then because Adam and Eve were created by God and had perfect genes. because of sin and death, our genes are slowly degrading that we become more prone to sickness and abnormalities, therefore during the time of Moses it was forbiddened to marry close relatives

can’t say there’s a lot of scientific basis on that, but it does warrant some thought

also, if it was forbidden back then, how do we propagate as a species? given that all the second generation of humans were siblings