Bilhah בִּלְהָה
Rachel's maidservant and mother of Dan and Naphtali
Who is Bilhah in the Bible?
Bilhah was Rachel's maidservant who became a concubine of Jacob when Rachel could not bear children (Genesis 29:29, 30:3-4). Following the ancient custom of surrogate motherhood, Bilhah bore Jacob two sons, Dan and Naphtali, who became ancestors of two of Israel's twelve tribes (Genesis 30:5-8). Her story takes a darker turn when Reuben, Jacob's firstborn son, slept with her, an act that deeply offended Jacob (Genesis 35:22). Despite this violation, Bilhah remained part of Jacob's family and traveled with them to Egypt during the famine (Genesis 46:25). Bilhah's narrative illustrates the complex family structures and power dynamics of the patriarchal household, as well as the circumstances through which all of Israel's tribes came into being.
Biography
Bilhah was the maidservant of Rachel, concubine of Israel (or 'Jacob') (Gen. 29:29). When Rachel found herself unable to conceive, she gave Bilhah to Jacob as a concubine to bear children on her behalf, following the custom of the time (Gen. 30:3-4). Bilhah gave birth to two sons, Dan and Naphtali (Gen. 30:5-8), who became the ancestors of two of the twelve tribes of Israel. Later, Jacob's firstborn son, Reuben, slept with Bilhah, an act that greatly displeased Jacob (Gen. 35:22). Despite this incident, Bilhah is still mentioned among the members of Jacob's family who went to Egypt during the famine (Gen. 46:25). Her sons, Dan and Naphtali, are listed among the seventy members of Jacob's household (Gen. 46:23-25). Bilhah's story highlights the complex family dynamics in Jacob's household and the importance of childbearing in ancient Israelite society. Her sons' inclusion in the twelve tribes of Israel underscores God's providence in fulfilling His promise to make a great nation from Jacob's descendants.
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentGenesis 5 verses
- Genesis 29:29
"Laban also gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 30:3
"Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.”"
Study Genesis → - Genesis 30:4
"So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife, and he slept with her,"
Study Genesis → - Genesis 30:5
"and Bilhah conceived and bore him a son."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 30:7
"And Rachel’s servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son."
Study Genesis →
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 7:13
"The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum—the descendants of Bilhah."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בִּלְהָה |