[madison10]

Maybe the norm for the culture at the time? Was there a shortage of men?

Monogamy did not seem common until the New Testament in spite of God’s laws.

[StormPrepper]

Monogamy did not seem common until the New Testament in spite of God’s laws.

No. Polygamy was part of the Mosaic Law given to Moses directly from God. But it was the exception, not the rule. Everyone that God did not direct to take more than one wife was expected to have only one.