Lexical Summary Bilhah: Bilhah Original Word: בִּלְהָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bilhah From balahh; timid; Bilhah, the name of one of Jacob's concubines; also of a place in Palestine -- Bilhah. see HEBREW balahh Brown-Driver-Briggs I. בִּלְהָה proper name, feminine (etymology dubious) handmaid of Rachel, concubine of Jacob Genesis 29:29; Genesis 30:3,4,5,7; Genesis 35:22,25 (sons Dan & Naphtali) Genesis 37:2 (probably gloss, Ol) Genesis 46:25; 1 Chronicles 7:13. II. בִּלהָה proper name, of a location a city of Simeon 1 Chronicles 4:29, probably = בַּעֲלָה Joshua 15:29, בָּלָה Joshua 19:3 compare Di; site dubious Topical Lexicon Personal Identity and Background Bilhah first appears in Genesis 29:29 as the maidservant whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel. Although of servant status, she is later designated a “wife” (Genesis 30:4), showing that her children would stand within the covenant line of Jacob. Role in the Household of Jacob Rachel, distressed by barrenness, said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her so that she can bear children on my behalf, and I too may have children through her” (Genesis 30:3). Jacob’s acceptance of Bilhah as a secondary wife follows the ancient Near-Eastern custom of surrogate motherhood, yet Scripture still portrays each birth as an act of divine providence. Birth of Dan and Naphtali Bilhah bore two sons. After the first birth “Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son” (Genesis 30:5), Rachel named him Dan, saying, “God has judged me” (Genesis 30:6). When Bilhah bore a second son, Rachel declared, “I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have prevailed,” and named him Naphtali (Genesis 30:8 context). Through these sons Bilhah became the matriarch of two tribes of Israel. Reuben’s Transgression While Israel dwelt near Ephrath, “Reuben went and lay with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it” (Genesis 35:22). This act of defilement forfeited Reuben’s rights as firstborn (compare 1 Chronicles 5:1-2). Bilhah’s violation highlights the seriousness of sexual sin and its covenant repercussions. Legacy within the Twelve Tribes Genesis 35:25 and Genesis 37:2 count Dan and Naphtali among “the sons of Bilhah.” Genesis 46:25 numbers her descendants at seven when Jacob’s family entered Egypt. Centuries later 1 Chronicles 7:13 still identifies the clan of Naphtali as “the descendants of Bilhah,” demonstrating her enduring place in Israel’s memory. Bilhah as a Simeonite Town The name also designates a settlement allotted to Simeon: “at Bilhah, at Ezem, and at Tolad” (1 Chronicles 4:29). The dual use of the name—woman and town—illustrates how personal names could become place names, preserving patriarchal heritage in the land. Theological and Ministry Reflections • God’s sovereignty over barrenness: Bilhah’s sons arise in response to Rachel’s plea, affirming that every life in the covenant line originates with God, not human schemes alone. Key References Genesis 29:29; Genesis 30:3-8; Genesis 35:22; Genesis 35:25; Genesis 37:2; Genesis 46:25; 1 Chronicles 4:29; 1 Chronicles 7:13 Forms and Transliterations בִּלְהָ֔ה בִּלְהָ֖ה בִּלְהָ֖ה֙ בִּלְהָ֥ה בִלְהָ֔ה בִלְהָ֖ה בִלְהָ֛ה בִלְהָֽה׃ בִלְהָה֙ בלהה בלהה׃ וּבְבִלְהָ֥ה ובבלהה bil·hāh ḇil·hāh bilHah bilhāh ḇilhāh ū·ḇə·ḇil·hāh ūḇəḇilhāh uvevilHah vilHahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 29:29 HEB: בִּתּ֔וֹ אֶת־ בִּלְהָ֖ה שִׁפְחָת֑וֹ לָ֖הּ NAS: his maid Bilhah to his daughter KJV: his daughter Bilhah his handmaid INT: Rachel to his daughter Bilhah his maid her maid Genesis 30:3 Genesis 30:4 Genesis 30:5 Genesis 30:7 Genesis 35:22 Genesis 35:25 Genesis 37:2 Genesis 46:25 1 Chronicles 4:29 1 Chronicles 7:13 11 Occurrences |
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