Genesis 35:25

And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:

And the sons {H1121} of Bilhah {H1090}, Rachel's {H7354} handmaid {H8198}; Dan {H1835}, and Naphtali {H5321}:

The sons of Bilhah Rachel's slave-girl were Dan and Naftali.

The sons of Rachel’s maidservant Bilhah were Dan and Naphtali.

and the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid: Dan and Naphtali;

Commentary

Commentary on Genesis 35:25 (KJV)

Genesis 35:25 is a concise verse that continues the enumeration of Jacob's twelve sons, who would become the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel. Specifically, it lists Dan and Naphtali as the sons born to Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid. This verse is part of a significant passage detailing Jacob's return to Bethel and the consolidation of his family before the passing of his father, Isaac.

Context

This verse is situated within a pivotal chapter in Jacob's life. Following his instruction from God to return to Bethel, Jacob establishes an altar and renews his covenant with the Lord (Genesis 35:1-7). The chapter then records the birth of Benjamin, the death of Rachel, and finally, a complete list of Jacob's sons, categorized by their mothers. This comprehensive list serves as a genealogical cornerstone, detailing the lineage that would form the future nation of Israel. Bilhah was given to Jacob by Rachel, her mistress, to bear children on Rachel's behalf, a common practice in the ancient Near East when a wife was barren (Genesis 30:3-4).

Key Themes

  • The Formation of Israel's Tribes: This verse, along with the surrounding verses, meticulously records the origins of the twelve tribes of Israel, emphasizing the importance of lineage in God's plan for His chosen people.
  • Divine Providence Amidst Human Complexity: The family structure of Jacob, involving multiple wives and handmaids, was complex and often fraught with rivalry (Genesis 30:1). Yet, through these human circumstances, God faithfully worked to fulfill His promise of multiplying Jacob's descendants into a great nation (Genesis 35:11).
  • Significance of Each Son: Regardless of their mother's status (wife or handmaid), each son born to Jacob held a crucial place in the unfolding narrative of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Linguistic Insights

The names of Bilhah's sons, Dan and Naphtali, carry specific meanings that reflect the circumstances of their births, as recorded earlier in Genesis:

  • Dan: Meaning "judge" or "he judged." Rachel named him this, saying, "God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son" (Genesis 30:6).
  • Naphtali: Meaning "my wrestling" or "my struggle." Rachel named him this, saying, "With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed" (Genesis 30:8). This highlights the intense rivalry between Rachel and Leah to bear children for Jacob.

Reflection and Application

While seemingly a simple genealogical record, Genesis 35:25 underscores several enduring truths. It reminds us of the meticulous nature of biblical history and God's attention to detail in establishing the lineage through which His redemptive plan would unfold. It also illustrates that God works through real, often imperfect, human families and situations to accomplish His divine purposes. Every individual, even those born into unconventional circumstances, has a place in God's grand design. The inclusion of Dan and Naphtali, sons of a handmaid, alongside the sons of Jacob's wives, emphasizes that God's favor and plan extend beyond human social hierarchies.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 46:23

    And the sons of Dan; Hushim.

  • Genesis 46:25

    These [are] the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls [were] seven.

  • Genesis 30:4

    And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.

  • Genesis 30:8

    And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.

  • Genesis 37:2

    These [are] the generations of Jacob. Joseph, [being] seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad [was] with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
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