One Flesh Pt#2

Prior to modern genetics and DNA testing, a common belief shared by many cultures a belief that the offspring of a female of any species (humans included) is affected by the previous partners that female has been mated to, especially the first mate. This idea is known as telegony. According to the theory of telegony, when a male and female mate, the female somehow becomes permanently altered so that all future offspring have traits passed on from that male. 

The term comes from Ancient Greece, where Aristole observed that very often children appeared to inherit traits characteristics from the first man that the mother had sexual relations with. Because Aristole was probably the first author in that culture to use the term and document in a scientific manner his observations, this idea is often attributed to him. However, by keeping an open mind, one will see that this idea long pre-dates Aristotle, and was commonly know in other cultures too. 

In fact, while telegony is often attributed to the Greek culture, Hebrew culture also seemed to be familiar with the concept and its consequences since antiquity. The following  story predates the Law of Moses. 

"And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.  And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.  And the thing which he did displeased the Lord: wherefore he slew him also." Genesis 38:8-10

From this passage it is clearly laid out and taught that any children this man might have had by her would not be his children. 

Here is another case

"If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband’s brother unto her.  And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel." Deuteronomy 25:5-6

This passage is based off the same principle. It would seem that a brother is specified here because he would be the closest genetic match to her first husband. He is to raise the children born by her unto her deceased husband, since they ARE his children. Notice the way this law is specified, that this is only to be done if her first husband did not bear any children. This law seems to prohibit that woman from marrying someone else who is not within that family. 

There are other examples found in the scriptures that support this concept. One example is the story of Ruth, which I encourage you to read. I believe that anyone seeking to do the will of God should take note.