Bilhah

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew Bilhāh (בִּלְהָה), of uncertain meaning; used as a personal name in Genesis.
• Period/Era: Patriarchal Period
• Main References: Genesis 30; Genesis 35; Genesis 37; Genesis 46; Genesis 49; 1 Chronicles 7
• Key Connections: Rachel (mistress); Jacob (concubine); Dan and Naphtali (sons); Reuben (in a later household incident)

Who was Bilhah?

Bilhah was Rachel’s female servant who was given to Jacob as a concubine in the context of household rivalry.
She bore Jacob two sons, Dan and Naphtali, who became tribal ancestors in Israel.
Her name appears in genealogical lists that trace Jacob’s family and the tribes.
She is also mentioned in connection with Reuben’s sin involving his father’s concubine.

Key Events & Achievements

• Given to Jacob: Rachel gave Bilhah to Jacob as a concubine, and Bilhah bore Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 30:3–8).
• Household Incident: Reuben slept with Bilhah, an act later recalled in Jacob’s final words to his sons (Genesis 35:22; 49:3–4).
• Tribal Genealogy: Bilhah’s sons are listed among those who went with Jacob’s household to Egypt (Genesis 46:25).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Bilhah’s story shows how family structures in the patriarchal household shaped Israel’s tribal genealogy amid conflict and moral failure.

Key Verse

"So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife. And Jacob went in to her." — Genesis 30:4, ESV