Updated on September 23, 2026

Bilhah Rachel's Handmaid, Mother of Dan and Naphtali

Q: Was Bilhah a wife or a concubine?

Genesis uses both words. Genesis 30:4 says Rachel gave her to Jacob 'to wife', while Genesis 35:22 calls her 'his father's concubine'. The two terms mark her standing rather than contradict each other: a wife of second rank, whose children were counted as Rachel's.

Old Testamentc. 1920 BC View journey on map

About Bilhah

Bilhah was the maid Laban gave Rachel, and the woman Rachel handed to Jacob when she could not conceive. She bore Dan and Naphtali, counted among the twelve tribes. Later Reuben lay with her, and Jacob remembered it on his deathbed.

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Bilhah's Character Traits

HandmaidMother of two tribesSilent in the text

Bilhah's Life Timeline

View journey on map

Given to Rachelc. 1920 BC
Laban gives Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her handmaid.
GEN 29:29
Given to Jacobc. 1918 BC
Rachel, childless, gives Bilhah to Jacob so she may bear on her knees.
GEN 30:3
Danc. 1917 BC
Bilhah bears Dan; Rachel names him 'God has judged me'.
GEN 30:6
Naphtalic. 1916 BC
Bilhah bears Naphtali, and Rachel calls it her wrestling.
GEN 30:8
Reuben's sinc. 1890 BC
Reuben lies with Bilhah, and Israel hears of it.
GEN 35:22

Who is linked to Bilhah

parent of
sibling of
spouse of
covenant with
master of
in conflict with

Bilhahwife ofJacob GEN 30:4Rachel's maid, given « to wife »
Bilhahmother ofDan GEN 30:6
Bilhahmother ofNaphtali GEN 30:8
Jacobfather ofDan GEN 30:6
Jacobfather ofNaphtali GEN 30:8

Bilhah's Key Relationships

RachelFamily

Mistress - Bilhah was her handmaid, and bore in her place.

JacobFamily

Husband - given to Jacob by Rachel, she bore him two sons.

DanFamily

Son - her firstborn, and one of the twelve tribes.

NaphtaliFamily

Son - her second, named for Rachel's wrestling.

Bilhah's Key Locations

Haran

Where she was given to Rachel and bore Dan and Naphtali.

Spiritual Lessons from Bilhah

Tribes From a Woman Who Never Speaks

Bilhah is given, handed on, and wronged, and Genesis records not one word from her mouth. Two of Israel's twelve tribes still come from her. The story of the covenant runs through people who had no say in it, and Scripture neither hides that nor tidies it away.

Key Verses about Bilhah

Genesis 29:29 Genesis 30:1-8 Genesis 35:22

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Bilhah a wife or a concubine?+