Lexical Summary Bilhan: Bilhan Original Word: בִּלְהָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bilhan From balahh; timid; Bilhan, the name of an Edomite and of an Israelite -- Bilhan. see HEBREW balahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition the name of an Edomite, also of an Isr. NASB Translation Bilhan (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs בִּלְהָן proper name, masculine 1. descendant of Esau Genesis 36:27 = 1 Chronicles 1:42. 2 a Benjamite 1 Chronicles 7:10 (twice in verse). בְּלוֺא see below בלה. Topical Lexicon Biblical occurrences Genesis 36:27; 1 Chronicles 1:42; 1 Chronicles 7:10 Individual profiles 1. Bilhan the Horite chief Genesis 36:27 and the parallel record in 1 Chronicles 1:42 place Bilhan among the sons of Ezer, grandson of Seir the Horite. The Horites were the original inhabitants of the hill country of Seir before the rise of the Edomites. Scripture calls Bilhan a “chief” (Genesis 36:27), identifying him as one of the clan leaders whose descendants merged into the Edomite confederation. His inclusion alongside well-attested dukes such as Teman and Kenaz indicates a respected stature in the region’s early governance. The mention of Bilhan in the covenant-saturated record of Genesis underscores that even non-Israelite lineages were accounted for under God’s sovereign ordering of nations (Deuteronomy 32:8). 2. Bilhan the Benjamite patriarch 1 Chronicles 7:10 introduces a very different Bilhan: “The sons of Jediael: Bilhan; and the sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar”. Here Bilhan is third-generation from Benjamin through Jediael, furnishing eight grandsons whose names echo prominent Benjamite figures (e.g., Benjamin, Ehud). This genealogy appears in the military census context of 1 Chronicles 7, where “mighty warriors, able to wield the bow” (1 Chronicles 7:2) number in the tens of thousands. Bilhan’s line therefore contributes to the martial identity of Benjamin, the tribe later supplying both King Saul and the Apostle Paul. Historical significance • Edomite integration: Bilhan the Horite illustrates the absorption of indigenous Horite clans into Edom, confirming Genesis 36’s portrayal of Esau’s descendants adopting and overshadowing earlier inhabitants. This process explains why later prophets could speak of Edom as a unified entity while retaining traces of diverse ancestry (Jeremiah 49:7-22). Theological insights Genealogies serve more than archival interest. Bilhan’s two distinct appearances—one foreign, one Israelite—affirm the unity and breadth of God’s redemptive plan. They highlight: • Providence over nations: Acts 17:26 reflects the Old Testament pattern—God “determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.” Bilhan the Horite illustrates this sovereignty long before Israel occupied Canaan. Ministry applications 1. Valuing the overlooked: Names that appear only in genealogies remind believers that “the Lord knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19). Every servant, whether famed or forgotten, is recorded in Heaven’s book. Conclusion Though mentioned only four times, Bilhan represents both the breadth of God’s dealings with the nations and the depth of His commitment to Israel. From the rocky heights of Seir to the battle-ready ranks of Benjamin, his name records the faithfulness of the Lord who numbers and remembers every tribe, tongue, and generation. Forms and Transliterations בִּלְהָ֑ן בִּלְהָ֥ן בִלְהָ֗ן בלהן bil·hān ḇil·hān bilHan bilhān ḇilhān vilHanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 36:27 HEB: בְּנֵי־ אֵ֑צֶר בִּלְהָ֥ן וְזַעֲוָ֖ן וַעֲקָֽן׃ NAS: of Ezer: Bilhan and Zaavan KJV: of Ezer [are] these; Bilhan, and Zaavan, INT: are the sons of Ezer Bilhan and Zaavan and Akan 1 Chronicles 1:42 1 Chronicles 7:10 1 Chronicles 7:10 4 Occurrences |
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