בִּלְהָן (bil.han)
bil.han
Bilhan
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Bilhan is a proper name appearing only three times in the Hebrew Bible, referring to two distinct individuals separated by centuries. The first Bilhan was a descendant of Esau, listed among the chiefs of Edom in Genesis 36:27 as the son of Ezer and brother of Zaavan and Akan.
The second Bilhan appears in 1 Chronicles 7:10 as a Benjamite living during the period of the divided monarchy. He is identified as the son of Jediael and the father of seven sons, including Jeush and Benjamin. The name itself carries the meaning "their decrepitude," a linguistic detail preserved in the lexicon sources.
Because these occurrences are limited to genealogical records, the word functions primarily as a marker of lineage rather than narrative action. It connects the Edomite royal line with the tribal structure of Benjamin, illustrating how ancient Israelite history tracked family connections across different regions and eras.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Names in Scripture often serve as anchors for memory, connecting us to a lineage that stretches back centuries. Bilhan appears in two distinct contexts: first among the chiefs of Edom in Genesis, and later within the tribe of Benjamin in Chronicles. These records remind us that God’s plan unfolds through real families and generations, not just abstract ideas.
When we read these genealogies, we are invited to see ourselves as part of a larger story. Just as Bilhan’s name was preserved for future readers, our lives too leave an imprint on the community of faith. We may not always understand every detail of our heritage, but we can trust that God remembers each person and their place in His world.
This word encourages us to value our connections—to ancestors, to neighbors, and to the broader family of believers. It is a quiet reminder that no name is forgotten, and every life matters in the eyes of God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Bilhan4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בִּלְהָ֥ן2×
- בִּלְהָ֑ן1×
- בִלְהָ֗ן1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 36:27
These are the children of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan.
This verse places Bilhan within the Edomite royal line, showing how Scripture acknowledges the nations surrounding Israel as part of God’s created order.
-
I Chronicles 1:42
The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
Here the name reappears in a parallel genealogy, reinforcing the historical accuracy and preservation of Edomite lineage alongside Israel’s own records.
-
I Chronicles 7:10
The son of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar.
This occurrence shifts focus to the tribe of Benjamin, illustrating how Bilhan’s name bridges different tribal histories within the divided monarchy period.