Genesis 35:25

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 35:25 meticulously records Dan and Naphtali as the two sons born to Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid, continuing the comprehensive enumeration of Jacob's twelve sons. This verse is an essential component of a pivotal chapter that details Jacob's return to Bethel, the renewal of God's covenant promises, and the consolidation of his family, thereby establishing the foundational lineage for the future twelve tribes of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 35 is a crucial chapter in the life of Jacob, marking a significant turning point after his reconciliation with Esau and his journey back to the promised land. The chapter opens with God's command for Jacob to return to Bethel, where he had previously encountered God ([Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10-22 "Jacob's Dream at Bethel")). Upon his return, Jacob purifies his household, builds an altar, and God reaffirms the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac, including the promise of multiplying his descendants and the land ([Genesis 35:1-15](/genesis/35-1-15 "God's Covenant Renewal with Jacob at Bethel")). Following this divine encounter, the narrative shifts to the tragic death of Rachel during the birth of Benjamin, Jacob's twelfth son, and her burial near Bethlehem ([Genesis 35:16-20](/genesis/35-16-20 "Rachel's Death and Burial")). The chapter then culminates in a complete and structured list of Jacob's twelve sons, categorized by their mothers, which includes the sons of the handmaids. This comprehensive genealogical record, of which Genesis 35:25 is a part, serves to establish the full complement of patriarchs from whom the nation of Israel would descend.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of a barren wife giving her handmaid to her husband to bear children on her behalf was a well-documented custom in the ancient Near East, particularly among the Hurrians, but also reflected in Mesopotamian law codes like the Code of Hammurabi. This arrangement was not merely a social convention but often carried legal implications, with the children born to the handmaid legally considered the offspring of the wife. In Jacob's family, Rachel, being barren, gave her handmaid Bilhah to Jacob, expressing her desperation for children and her belief that through Bilhah, she too would "have children" ([Genesis 30:1-6](/genesis/30-1-6 "Rachel's Barrenness and the Birth of Dan")). Similarly, Leah, feeling unloved and desiring more children, gave her handmaid Zilpah to Jacob ([Genesis 30:9-13](/genesis/30-9-13 "Leah Gives Zilpah to Jacob")). This cultural practice, while leading to significant family rivalry and complexity, was instrumental in the rapid expansion of Jacob's family, laying the groundwork for the twelve tribes. The meticulous recording of each son's mother underscores the importance of lineage and legal status in ancient societies, even as God worked through these human customs to fulfill His divine plan.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 35, and specifically the enumeration of Jacob's sons, contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. A primary theme is **Divine Faithfulness and Covenant Fulfillment**, as God consistently acts to fulfill His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to multiply their descendants into a great nation ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham")). Despite the complex and often dysfunctional family dynamics, including sibling rivalry, polygamy, and the use of handmaids, God's sovereign plan for the formation of His chosen people remains on track. Another key theme is the **Formation of Israel's Identity and Lineage**. This chapter provides the definitive list of the twelve patriarchs, establishing the genealogical foundation for the future tribes of Israel. The inclusion of sons from all four mothers (Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah) highlights the **Inclusive Nature of God's Plan**, demonstrating that His favor and purposes extend beyond conventional social hierarchies or human expectations, embracing all who are part of the covenant lineage. This enumeration also implicitly touches upon the theme of **Human Imperfection and Divine Sovereignty**, showcasing how God works through flawed human agents and challenging circumstances to achieve His perfect will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sons (Hebrew, _bên'_):** From H1121, this word denotes a male offspring, but in its widest sense, it encompasses various literal and figurative relationships, including descendants who build the family name. In Genesis 35:25, "sons" specifically refers to the direct male progeny of Jacob, emphasizing their role as the progenitors of the future tribes of Israel and highlighting the continuation of the patriarchal lineage.
* **Bilhah (Hebrew, _Bilhâh'_):** From H1090, this is the proper name of Rachel's handmaid, whose name means "timid." Her inclusion here is crucial for identifying the specific maternal line of Dan and Naphtali within Jacob's complex family structure. Her role as a surrogate mother, given by Rachel to Jacob, was a culturally accepted practice that allowed for the expansion of Jacob's family and the fulfillment of God's promise of numerous descendants.
* **handmaid (Hebrew, _shiphchâh'_):** From H8198, this feminine noun refers to a female slave, specifically one who is a member of the household. The term defines Bilhah's social status and her legal role within the family, underscoring that although she was a handmaid, her children were fully integrated into Jacob's family and were recognized as legitimate heirs, contributing to the formation of the twelve tribes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the sons of Bilhah":** This initial phrase immediately identifies the two individuals to follow as the male offspring born to Bilhah. It sets them apart from the sons born to Jacob's wives, Leah and Rachel, and also from the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, thereby providing clear genealogical distinctions within Jacob's large family.
* **"Rachel's handmaid":** This clarifying clause specifies Bilhah's relationship to Rachel, her mistress. This detail is vital for understanding the context of Dan and Naphtali's births, as Bilhah was given to Jacob by Rachel due to Rachel's initial barrenness, a common practice in the ancient Near East where children born to a handmaid were legally considered the children of the barren wife.
* **"Dan, and Naphtali":** This final part of the verse names the two specific sons born to Bilhah. Dan's name ("judge") reflects Rachel's sentiment that God had "judged" her and given her a son ([Genesis 30:6](/genesis/30-6 "The Naming of Dan")). Naphtali's name ("my wrestling") reflects Rachel's intense struggle and rivalry with her sister Leah over bearing children for Jacob ([Genesis 30:8](/genesis/30-8 "The Naming of Naphtali")). Their inclusion here completes the enumeration of Jacob's twelve sons, each of whom would become a patriarch of one of the tribes of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Genesis 35:25 is **Genealogy** and **Enumeration**. The concise listing of "Dan, and Naphtali" as the "sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid" is part of a larger, systematic **catalog** of Jacob's twelve sons. This meticulous record-keeping serves a crucial narrative function: to establish the complete lineage from which the twelve tribes of Israel would descend. The **Concision** of the verse, packing significant genealogical information into a few words, is characteristic of biblical historical writing, where brevity often belies profound importance. The **Repetition** of this naming convention throughout the list of sons (e.g., "the sons of Leah," "the sons of Rachel") creates a rhythmic structure that emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the family and the divine intention behind each birth, regardless of the mother's status. This structured enumeration implicitly highlights the **Inclusivity** of God's plan, as all sons, whether born to wives or handmaids, are equally vital to the unfolding covenant narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 35:25, though a simple genealogical entry, carries profound theological weight as it contributes to the meticulous record of the formation of God's chosen people. It underscores the divine sovereignty at work in orchestrating the lineage of Israel, demonstrating that God's plan unfolds even amidst complex and often challenging human circumstances, such as polygamy and sibling rivalry. The inclusion of sons born to handmaids like Bilhah highlights God's ability to work through unconventional means and His commitment to fulfilling His promises regardless of human social distinctions. This verse, therefore, is not just a historical fact but a testament to God's faithful hand guiding the development of the covenant nation.

* [Genesis 35:22-26](/genesis/35-22-26 "The List of Jacob's Sons") meticulously records the origins of the twelve tribes of Israel. This foundational lineage is crucial for understanding the subsequent organization and numbering of the tribes, as seen in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "The Census of Israel's Tribes").
* Jacob's family structure, characterized by multiple wives and handmaids and fraught with rivalry ([Genesis 30:1-13](/genesis/30-1-13 "Rachel and Leah's Rivalry")), was far from ideal. Yet, through these challenging human circumstances, God faithfully worked to fulfill His promise of multiplying Jacob's descendants into a great nation ([Genesis 35:11](/genesis/35-11 "God's Promise to Jacob to Make Him a Nation")), demonstrating His ability to achieve His purposes despite human imperfections.
* Regardless of their mother's status (wife or handmaid), each son born to Jacob held a crucial and divinely appointed place in the unfolding narrative of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This underscores God's meticulous attention to detail and His inclusive plan for His redemptive purposes.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While seemingly a straightforward genealogical record, Genesis 35:25 offers profound insights for contemporary reflection and application. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's meticulous attention to detail in His overarching plan, demonstrating that every individual, every family, and every circumstance, no matter how seemingly small or unconventional, plays a role in His grand design. The inclusion of Dan and Naphtali, sons of a handmaid, underscores that God's favor and the fulfillment of His promises are not limited by human social hierarchies, perceived status, or the imperfections of family dynamics. This teaches us that God works through real, often messy, human lives to accomplish His divine purposes, inviting us to trust in His sovereignty even when our own lives or circumstances seem less than ideal. It encourages us to recognize the inherent dignity and purpose God bestows upon every person, regardless of their origin or background, as each is a part of His intricate tapestry of redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed genealogical record in Genesis 35:25 challenge our modern tendencies to overlook or dismiss individuals based on their social standing or circumstances of birth?**
* **In what ways does God demonstrate His faithfulness and ability to work through imperfect human situations, as seen in Jacob's family, to achieve His divine purposes?**
* **What does the inclusion of all Jacob's sons, regardless of their mother's status, teach us about God's inclusive nature and His valuing of every individual within His plan?**

### FAQ
**Why are Jacob's sons listed by their mothers in this passage?**

Answer: Listing Jacob's sons by their mothers (Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah) provides crucial genealogical clarity and highlights the unique circumstances of their births. This method emphasizes the distinct branches of the family that would eventually form the twelve tribes of Israel, each with its own identity and historical narrative. It also subtly acknowledges the complex family dynamics, including the rivalries and divine interventions that shaped Jacob's household, as seen in the narratives surrounding the births of each son in [Genesis 29-30](/genesis/29-30 "Jacob's Wives and Children").

**What was the role of handmaids like Bilhah in ancient Near Eastern society and in Jacob's family?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, including that of the patriarchs, handmaids often served as surrogate mothers for barren wives. If a wife could not bear children, she might give her handmaid to her husband to conceive children on her behalf. These children were legally considered the children of the wife, ensuring the continuation of the family line and the inheritance. Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid, and Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, both bore sons for Jacob under these circumstances, fulfilling the desire for offspring and contributing significantly to the formation of Jacob's large family, as detailed in [Genesis 30](/genesis/30 "Jacob's Family Grows").

**Does the mention of Dan and Naphtali in this verse imply anything about their future tribes?**

Answer: While [Genesis 35:25](/genesis/35-25 "Genesis 35:25 KJV") itself is a simple listing, the inclusion of Dan and Naphtali here is foundational for understanding the future development and roles of their respective tribes within the nation of Israel. The tribes of Dan and Naphtali would later receive specific territories in the promised land ([Joshua 19:40-48](/joshua/19-40-48 "The Inheritance of Dan") and [Joshua 19:32-39](/joshua/19-32-39 "The Inheritance of Naphtali")), play distinct roles in Israel's history, and, in Dan's case, experience a notable deviation into idolatry and migration ([Judges 18](/judges/18 "The Migration of the Tribe of Dan")). This verse serves as the initial genealogical anchor for their subsequent narratives and the unfolding of God's plan for each tribal lineage in the biblical record.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous enumeration of Jacob's sons, including Dan and Naphtali in [Genesis 35:25](/genesis/35-25 "Genesis 35:25 KJV"), is far more than a mere historical record; it is a vital thread in the unfolding tapestry of God's redemptive plan, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ. This detailed genealogy establishes the specific lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come, fulfilling God's ancient covenant promises to Abraham that through his "seed," all the families of the earth would be blessed ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abraham")). Jesus Christ, as the ultimate "Son of David" and "Son of Abraham" ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")), is the culmination of this patriarchal line. The formation of the twelve tribes, rooted in these individual sons, foreshadows the gathering of God's people, which finds its ultimate and perfect realization in the Church, the spiritual Israel, united under Christ as its head ([Galatians 3:28-29](/galatians/3-28-29 "All Are One in Christ Jesus")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Christ transcends all human distinctions and imperfections, offering salvation and inclusion to all who believe, thereby fulfilling the divine purpose for which the nation of Israel was established. He is the one through whom God's promise of a chosen people and universal salvation is perfectly realized, bringing together a new humanity from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "A Great Multitude from Every Nation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.