Bilhah
The name Bilhah means “Bilhan, who is old or confused.” Bilhah is mentioned in 10 verses of the Bible, first in Genesis 29:29.
Family of Bilhah
Who was Bilhah?
Faltering; bashful, Rachel’s handmaid, whom she gave to Jacob (Gen. 29:29). She was the mother of Dan and Naphtali (Gen. 30:3-8). Reuben was cursed by his father for committing adultry with her (35:22; 49:4). He was deprived of the birth-right, which was given to the sons of Joseph.
Biography adapted from Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain, linked via Theographic Bible Metadata.
Key verses about Bilhah
- Genesis 29:29
And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
- Genesis 30:3
And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.
- Genesis 30:4
And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.
- Genesis 30:5
And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.
- Genesis 35:22
And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
- 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.
Timeline of Bilhah's life
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1754 BC | Birth of Dan |
| 1753 BC | Birth of Naphtali |