Interesting Facts

• Bilhah was the handmaid of Rachel.
• At Rachel’s behest, she bore Jacob two sons, Dan and Naphtali.
• She was the concubine of Jacob.
• Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn son, lay with Bilhah while she was sleeping.
• Bilhah informed Jacob of the incident with Reuben, stating she was unaware until he uncovered her skirt.
• She died mourning the supposed death of Joseph and was buried near the tomb of Rachel.

Genealogy

• Bilhah was the handmaid of Rachel, making her part of Rachel’s household but not directly related by blood within Jacob’s immediate family.
• She became a wife (or concubine) of Jacob.
• She bore Jacob two sons: Dan and Naphtali.
• Dan’s sons were Hushim, Samon, Asudi, ‘Ijaka, and Salomon; however, all but Hushim died in the year they entered Egypt.
• Naphtali’s sons were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, Shallum, and ‘Iv; ‘Iv was born after the famine and later died in Egypt.

Historical Context

During Bilhah’s lifetime, the family of Jacob was transitioning from a nomadic existence to a more settled life, although still marked by travel and significant events. The importance of lineage and the shame associated with adultery and incestuous relationships are evident in the narrative, particularly in the aftermath of Reuben’s actions with Bilhah. The establishment of laws and judgments, even recorded on “heavenly tablets,” reflects a developing moral and legal framework within their community. The acquisition of wealth and land, as Jacob’s family grew, also shaped their interactions and the context in which Bilhah lived. The selling of Joseph into slavery and the subsequent famine in Canaan were major events that undoubtedly impacted the entire household, including Bilhah, as indicated by her death while mourning Joseph. The social hierarchy within the household, where handmaids could bear children for the wives and their status as concubines, was a cultural norm of the time.

Narrative

Bilhah’s personal story is intertwined with the domestic life and challenges faced by Jacob’s family. She was given to Jacob by Rachel as a means to provide him with offspring when Rachel herself was unable to conceive. This practice highlights the significance of children and the lengths to which the wives would go to ensure the family’s continuation. Bilhah bore Jacob two sons, Dan and Naphtali, who became heads of tribes in Israel. A significant event in Bilhah’s narrative is the transgression committed by Reuben, Jacob’s eldest son, who lay with her. This act was considered a grave offense, described as uncovering his father’s skirt and abominable before the Lord. Bilhah herself reported the incident to Jacob, indicating her position and the violation she experienced. The consequences of Reuben’s actions were severe, leading to Jacob’s displeasure and the later prophetic pronouncement against Reuben, stating his instability due to this defilement. Bilhah’s life was also marked by the dramatic events surrounding Joseph. Upon hearing the news of Joseph’s supposed death, Bilhah died while mourning him, demonstrating the emotional bonds within Jacob’s household, even extending to the handmaids. Her burial near Rachel’s tomb further connects her to Rachel’s lineage and legacy within the family.