GospelMount
Search Topics Scripture Prayer Resources Ebooks About Support the mission Saved articles

בִּלְהָה (bil.hah)

bil.hah

Bilhah

H1090 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 11 verses

N:N-F-P

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
11 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
N:N-F-P

Word Overview

The name Bilhah means "trouble" or "distress," a striking choice for Rachel’s handmaid who became Jacob’s concubine. First introduced in Genesis 29:29, she is the mother of Dan and Naphtali, two of the twelve tribes of Israel. Her story highlights the complex family dynamics of the patriarchs, where personal longing and social custom intersected to shape the lineage of Israel.

Beyond her role as a matriarchal figure, Bilhah’s name appears in I Chronicles 4:29 as the location of a city within the territory of Simeon. This dual usage—both as a person’s name and a place name—suggests how deeply personal histories were woven into the geographical identity of the tribes. The etymology remains uncertain, but the meaning "trouble" adds a layer of poignancy to her narrative.

Translators typically retain Bilhah as a proper name, allowing readers to encounter her story without interpretive filtering. Her presence in Scripture serves as a reminder of the human complexities behind the biblical genealogies, offering insight into the social structures and personal struggles of ancient Israel’s ancestors.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Bilhah carries the weight of 'distress,' a poignant reminder that even in the lineage of Israel, human lives were marked by complex struggles and social tensions. As Rachel’s handmaid who became Jacob’s concubine, her story reflects the messy realities of ancient family dynamics, where longing and custom intersected to shape history.

Her presence in Scripture invites us to look beyond idealized narratives and see the full humanity of biblical figures. Whether remembered as a mother of tribes or a resident of a named place, Bilhah’s life underscores that God’s plans unfold through ordinary, often difficult, human experiences. This offers comfort: our own struggles do not disqualify us from being part of a larger, redemptive story.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Bilhah10×
  • and/ in/ Bilhah1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • בִּלְהָ֖ה2×
  • וּ/בְ/בִלְהָ֥ה1×
  • בִּלְהָ֥ה1×
  • בִּלְהָ֖ה֙1×
  • בִּלְהָ֔ה1×
  • בִלְהָה֙1×
  • בִלְהָֽה\׃\ \פ1×
  • בִלְהָ֛ה1×
  • בִלְהָ֖ה1×
  • בִלְהָ֔ה1×

Key Verses

  • Genesis 30:3
    She said, “Behold, my maid Bilhah. Go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, and I also may obtain children by her.”

    This verse captures the cultural practice of surrogate motherhood, highlighting Bilhah’s role in Rachel’s desperate attempt to secure an heir.

  • Genesis 35:22
    While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Israel heard of it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve.

    Here, Bilhah is central to a major family crisis, as Reuben’s violation of her status triggers significant consequences for Jacob’s household.

  • Genesis 35:25
    The sons of Bilhah (Rachel’s servant): Dan and Naphtali.

    This entry formally lists Dan and Naphtali as Bilhah’s sons, cementing her legacy within the twelve tribes of Israel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Bilhah mean?

The name Bilhah is generally understood to mean 'trouble' or 'distress.' This etymology adds a layer of poignancy to her narrative, as her life involved complex family tensions and social challenges within Jacob’s household.

Who was Bilhah in the Bible?

Bilhah was originally Laban’s servant, given to his daughter Rachel as a handmaid. When Rachel struggled with infertility, she gave Bilhah to Jacob as a concubine so that her children could be counted as Rachel’s own. She became the mother of Dan and Naphtali.

Is Bilhah mentioned as a place name?

Yes, in addition to being a person, 'Bilhah' appears as a location in 1 Chronicles 4:29. It is listed among towns in the territory of Simeon, suggesting that personal histories sometimes influenced geographical naming in ancient Israel.

Every Occurrence (11 verses across 2 books)

Genesis 9 verses
Genesis 29:29

Laban gave Bilhah, his servant, to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.

Genesis 30:3

She said, “Behold, my maid Bilhah. Go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, and I also may obtain children by her.”

Genesis 30:4

She gave him Bilhah her servant as wife, and Jacob went in to her.

Genesis 30:5

Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son.

Genesis 30:7

Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, conceived again, and bore Jacob a second son.

Genesis 35:22

While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Israel heard of it. Now…

Genesis 35:25

The sons of Bilhah (Rachel’s servant): Dan and Naphtali.

Genesis 37:2

This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his…

Genesis 46:25

These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel, his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob: all the souls were…

I Chronicles 2 verses