The slave of the matriarch Rachel who was given to the patriarch Jacob as a concubine. She was the mother of Jacob's sons Dan and Napthali.
About Bilhah
Servant given by Laban to his daughter Rachel when she married Jacob (Gn 29:29). Realizing her own childlessness, Rachel gave Bilhah to her husband as a concubine and accepted their two sons as her own, naming them Dan and Naphtali (30:3–8; 35:25; 46:25). Archaeological investigation has confirmed the custom of a barren wife’s providing a concubine to guarantee children to her husband. Such an arrangement is mentioned in marriage contract documents dug up at Nuzi and dated from about the same time as the Genesis 29 events. Jacob’s son Reuben was later guilty of incest with Bilhah (35:22).
Family Relationships
- Partner
- Israel
- Children 2
- Dan (Patriarch), Naphtali
Key References
Laban also gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant.
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.”
So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife, and he slept with her,
and Bilhah conceived and bore him a son.
Then Rachel said, “God has vindicated me; He has heard my plea and given me a son.” So she named him Dan.
And Rachel’s servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son.
Then Rachel said, “In my great struggles, I have wrestled with my sister and won.” So she named him Naphtali.
All Scripture References (10)
Genesis (9)
Laban also gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant.
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.”
So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife, and he slept with her,
and Bilhah conceived and bore him a son.
And Rachel’s servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son.
While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons:
The sons of Rachel’s maidservant Bilhah were Dan and Naphtali.
This is the account of Jacob. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was tending the flock with his brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
These are the sons of Jacob born to Bilhah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel—seven in all.
1 Chronicles (1)
The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum—the descendants of Bilhah.