### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Bilhân**, represented by `{{H1092}}`, is a personal name meaning **timid**. It is found 4 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. The name is used to identify two distinct individuals: one an Edomite and the other an Israelite.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H1092}}` appears exclusively within genealogical lists. The first individual named Bilhan is an Edomite, listed as one of the children of Ezer [[Genesis 36:27]]. This lineage is repeated in the records of 1 Chronicles, where Bilhan is again identified as a son of Ezer [[1 Chronicles 1:42]]. A second, different Bilhan appears in the lineage of the tribe of Benjamin. This Israelite Bilhan is the son of Jediael and has seven sons of his own: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tharshish, and Ahishahar [[1 Chronicles 7:10]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related names are essential for understanding the context of Bilhan's identity and lineage:
* `{{H687}}` **ʼEtser** (treasure; Etser, an Idumaean; Ezer): This individual is recorded as the father of the Edomite Bilhan, placing him within the genealogies of Seir ([[Genesis 36:27]], [[1 Chronicles 1:42]]).
* `{{H3043}}` **Yᵉdîyʻăʼêl** (knowing God; Jediael, the name of three Israelites; Jediael): He is the father of the Israelite Bilhan, connecting Bilhan to the tribe of Benjamin [[1 Chronicles 7:10]].
* `{{H1144}}` **Binyâmîyn** (son of (the) right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; Benjamin): The Israelite Bilhan is a descendant of Jediael, a son of Benjamin. Significantly, Bilhan also named one of his own sons Benjamin, continuing the name within this prominent tribal line [[1 Chronicles 7:10]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H1092}}` is not theological but genealogical, serving to anchor specific family lines within the biblical record.
* **Dual Lineage:** The use of the name Bilhan for both an Edomite descendant of Ezer [[Genesis 36:27]] and an Israelite descendant of Jediael [[1 Chronicles 7:10]] illustrates its presence across different, though related, ancient peoples.
* **Genealogical Marker:** The name functions as a crucial marker for tracing ancestry. The Edomite Bilhan helps delineate a line of the Horites in the land of Edom, while the Israelite Bilhan establishes a significant family group within the tribe of Benjamin.
* **Preservation of Identity:** The meticulous inclusion of individuals like Bilhan highlights the scriptural emphasis on family history, tribal identity, and the precise recording of descents for both Israel and its neighboring nations.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1092}}` **Bilhân** is a personal name whose importance lies in its role within biblical genealogies. It does not carry doctrinal weight but instead functions to identify specific individuals in two separate lineages: one Edomite and one Israelite. The name's appearance in Genesis and 1 Chronicles underscores the value placed on ancestry and the careful preservation of family records in the scriptural narrative.
TRV