The Hebrew name Bilhâh, represented by H1090, is defined as timid. It appears 11 times across 11 unique verses in the Bible. The name is primarily known as that of one of Jacob's concubines, but it is also used to identify a place in Palestine.
In the biblical narrative, Bilhâh is introduced as the handmaid H8198 that Laban gave to his daughter Rachel Genesis 29:29. When Rachel was unable to conceive, she gave Bilhâh to her husband Jacob as a wife to bear children on her behalf Genesis 30:3-4. Bilhâh conceived and bore two sons for Jacob: Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 30:5, Genesis 35:25). A significant event in her story is when Jacob's firstborn son, Reuben, lay with Bilhâh, his father's concubine H6370 Genesis 35:22. Her sons are later mentioned with the sons of Zilpah, who were with Joseph as he fed his father's flock Genesis 37:2. The name also appears once as a location 1 Chronicles 4:29.
Several related words define Bilhâh's social and familial status:
- H519 ʼâmâh (maidservant or female slave): Rachel refers to Bilhâh as her maid Genesis 30:3. This term denotes a female servant, as seen when Sarah speaks of casting out the bondwoman H519 and her son Genesis 21:10.
- H6370 pîylegesh (a concubine): Bilhâh is explicitly identified as Jacob's concubine Genesis 35:22. This status is also seen with Abraham, who gave gifts to the sons of the concubines he had Genesis 25:6.
- H802 ʼishshâh (a woman... wife): Though a handmaid, Bilhâh was given to Jacob "to wife" Genesis 30:4 and her sons were grouped with the sons of Jacob's other wives Genesis 37:2.
- H8198 shiphchâh (a female slave): This is the term used when Laban gives Bilhâh to Rachel as her handmaid Genesis 29:29. It signifies a female slave who is a member of the household, a status referenced in the psalm describing the eyes of a maiden looking to her mistress Psalms 123:2.
The narrative of H1090 Bilhâh carries several significant themes related to the patriarchal era.
- Maternal Surrogacy: Bilhâh's primary role was to bear children for her mistress, Rachel. This is explicitly stated when Rachel says "she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her" Genesis 30:3. Through this, the tribes of Dan and Naphtali were founded Genesis 35:25.
- Continuation of the Patriarchal Line: The sons born to Bilhâh, Dan and Naphtali, were counted among the twelve sons of Jacob Genesis 35:22. Their lineage is recorded as the "sons of Bilhâh" (Genesis 46:25, 1 Chronicles 7:13), ensuring their place in the nation of Israel.
- Familial Status and Tension: Her story reveals the intricate social dynamics of Jacob's household. She is simultaneously a handmaid H8198, a wife H802, and a concubine H6370. The transgression of Reuben with Bilhâh underscores the internal conflicts within the family Genesis 35:22.
In summary, H1090 Bilhâh represents more than just a name meaning timid. She is a pivotal, though often quiet, figure in the establishment of Israel. Through her role as Rachel's handmaid H8198 and Jacob's concubine H6370, she became the mother of two of the twelve patriarchs, securing a foundational place in the nation's history. Her story provides insight into the customs of surrogacy and the complex family structures of the patriarchal age, and her name is also recorded as a place in Palestine 1 Chronicles 4:29.
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