(Aramaic) from an unused root of uncertain meaning; a concubine; concubine.
Transliteration:lᵉchênâh
Pronunciation:lekh-ay-naw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word לְחֵנָה (lᵉchênâh), Strong's number `{{H3904}}`, denotes a "concubine." Its root is noted as unused and of uncertain meaning, suggesting that its definition is primarily derived from contextual usage within the biblical text and comparative Semitic languages. A concubine in ancient Near Eastern societies was a woman who held a recognized, though often secondary, marital status within a household. While not typically possessing the full legal and social standing of a primary wife, she was distinct from a mere slave or prostitute. Concubines often bore children who were legitimate heirs, though their inheritance rights might be circumscribed. The term reflects a specific form of polygamous union, common in patriarchal societies, where a man could have multiple wives and concubines, each contributing to the household and lineage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Aramaic term לְחֵנָה (lᵉchênâh) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Daniel, which contains significant Aramaic portions. Its sole occurrence is found in:
* [[Daniel 5:2]]: "Belshazzar, while under the influence of wine, gave orders to bring the gold and silver articles that his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines, might drink from them."
In this pivotal passage, the presence of Belshazzar's concubines is noted alongside his nobles and wives as participants in a sacrilegious feast. The king's command for these individuals to drink from the sacred vessels looted from the Jerusalem temple underscores the profound disrespect and profanity of his actions. The inclusion of the concubines highlights the pervasive nature of the king's indulgence and the extent to which his entire court, including those in intimate relationships with him, was complicit in (or subject to) his impious behavior. The scene vividly sets the stage for the divine judgment that immediately follows, symbolized by the handwriting on the wall.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct Hebrew equivalent to the Aramaic לְחֵנָה (lᵉchênâh) is פִּילֶגֶשׁ (pîylegeš), Strong's number `{{H6370}}`, which also translates to "concubine." This Hebrew term is far more common in the Old Testament, appearing in narratives such as those concerning Abraham and Keturah ([[Genesis 25:6]]), Jacob and his maidservants Bilhah and Zilpah (who functioned as concubines, though not explicitly termed such by `{{H6370}}` in the initial narrative), and particularly in the tragic account of the Levite and his concubine in Judges ([[Judges 19:1]]).
The concept of concubinage is intrinsically linked to broader themes of:
* **Polygamy:** The practice of having multiple spouses, where concubines represent a specific type of secondary marital union.
* **Social Hierarchy:** Concubines typically occupied a lower social status than primary wives, though their children were considered legitimate.
* **Lineage and Inheritance:** Children born to concubines often had specific, sometimes limited, rights of inheritance (e.g., Abraham's children by his concubines received gifts but Isaac inherited the main estate, [[Genesis 25:6]]).
* **Royal Households:** Concubines were a common feature in the courts of kings and powerful individuals, signifying wealth, power, and the ability to produce many heirs.
While distinct from a "wife" (אִשָּׁה, 'ishshah, `{{H802}}`) in status, a concubine was not a prostitute (זוֹנָה, zonah, `{{H2181}}`). Her relationship was legitimate and recognized within the social structure, albeit with different implications regarding status and rights.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of לְחֵנָה (lᵉchênâh) in [[Daniel 5:2]] carries significant theological weight, not primarily for what it reveals about the institution of concubinage itself, but for its role within a narrative of divine judgment. The presence of Belshazzar's concubines at the sacrilegious feast underscores the depth of the king's impiety and his utter disregard for the holy. The act of drinking from vessels consecrated to Yahweh, performed by the king, his nobles, wives, and concubines, represents a profound act of defiance against the God of Israel.
Theologically, this scene highlights:
1. **Profanation of the Sacred:** The use of holy temple vessels for a pagan revelry, involving the king's intimate circle, demonstrates a deliberate and egregious act of profanation.
2. **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** The immediate divine response (the handwriting on the wall) serves as a powerful testament to God's ultimate sovereignty over earthly rulers and His intolerance for pride, idolatry, and the desecration of His holiness. The presence of the concubines, as part of the king's inner circle participating in this act, emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the king's sin and the impending judgment upon his entire domain.
3. **Contrast of Kingdoms:** The scene implicitly contrasts the indulgent and idolatrous kingdom of Babylon with the holiness and righteous judgment of God's eternal kingdom.
Thus, while לְחֵנָה is a descriptive term for a social reality, its solitary biblical occurrence is crucial in portraying the extent of Belshazzar's hubris and the justification for God's swift and decisive judgment.
### Summary
The Aramaic word לְחֵנָה (lᵉchênâh, `{{H3904}}`) refers to a "concubine," a woman holding a secondary but legitimate marital status in ancient Near Eastern households. Its sole biblical appearance is in [[Daniel 5:2]], where Belshazzar's concubines are depicted participating in the sacrilegious feast, drinking from the holy vessels looted from the Jerusalem temple. This usage is critical for establishing the profound impiety and hubris of the Babylonian king, setting the stage for the dramatic divine judgment that immediately follows. The term relates closely to the more frequently used Hebrew פִּילֶגֶשׁ (pîylegeš, `{{H6370}}`) and illuminates aspects of ancient polygamy, social hierarchy, and royal court practices. Theologically, its contextual use in Daniel underscores themes of divine sovereignty, the profanation of the sacred, and God's righteous judgment against pride and idolatry.
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