לְחֵנָה (le.che.nah)

le.che.nah

concubine

H3904 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 3 verses

A:N-F

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 3 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: A:N-F

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun lechenah refers to a concubine, a woman who shares a household with a man but holds a status lower than that of a primary wife. In the ancient Near East, this arrangement often provided social security for women while expanding a family’s lineage or political alliances. The term appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, making it a rare lexical item.

Its most notable occurrence is in Daniel 11:27, where it describes the relationship between the kings of the North and South during their prolonged conflict. Here, the word underscores the instability and lack of genuine loyalty in political marriages, contrasting sharply with the covenantal fidelity expected in Israel’s own marital laws. Unlike a wife, whose union was formalized through specific legal rites, a concubine’s position was more precarious and dependent on the man’s continued favor.

Translators consistently render lechenah as "concubine" to preserve this distinction in social hierarchy. The rarity of the word highlights how unusual or significant its specific contexts are, particularly when used to illustrate the fleeting nature of political alliances in prophetic literature.

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

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Hebrew word lechenah describes a concubine, a woman living in a household with a man but holding a status lower than that of a primary wife. In the ancient world, this arrangement often provided social security for women while expanding family lineage or political alliances. Unlike a wife, whose union was formalized through specific legal rites, a concubine’s position was more precarious and dependent on her master’s continued favor.

When we encounter this term in Scripture, it serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of relationships built on power rather than covenant. The Bible presents marriage as a sacred bond reflecting God’s faithfulness, whereas the life of a concubine highlights the instability of arrangements lacking true loyalty. This distinction invites us to value the depth and security found in committed, faithful partnerships.

In Daniel 5, the presence of these women at Belshazzar’s feast underscores the king’s arrogance and the emptiness of his power. The text contrasts the sacred vessels of God with the profane celebrations of a court that included wives and concubines. This scene reminds us that true honor belongs to God alone, and our relationships should reflect His enduring love rather than fleeting social status.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.

and/ concubines/ his2×
and/ concubines/ your1×

Forms in the text

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

וּ/לְחֵנָתֵֽ/הּ\׃2×
וּ/לְחֵנָתָ/ךְ֮1×

Key Verses

Daniel 5:23
but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. You have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, or hear, or know; and you have not glorified the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways.

This verse highlights the king’s defiance by placing his wives and concubines in direct contrast to the God whose vessels they are desecrating, showing how their presence underscores his spiritual rebellion.
Daniel 5:2
Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded that the golden and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem be brought to him, that the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, might drink from them.

The inclusion of concubines alongside lords and wives illustrates the full extent of Belshazzar’s courtly privilege, which he misuses by drinking from holy vessels.
Daniel 5:3
Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of God’s house which was at Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, drank from them.

This occurrence confirms the immediate action of the court consuming from the stolen temple vessels, emphasizing the collective nature of the king’s household in this act of sacrilege.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does lechenah mean in the Bible?

Lechenah is a Hebrew noun translated as 'concubine.' It refers to a woman who shares a household with a man but holds a lower social status than his primary wife. This role often provided women with security while serving political or familial purposes for the man.

How is a concubine different from a wife?

A wife’s union was formalized through specific legal rites and carried greater social and legal standing. In contrast, a concubine’s position was more precarious and dependent on the man’s continued favor, lacking the same level of institutional protection.

Where does this word appear in Scripture?

The term appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, all within Daniel 5. These verses describe Belshazzar’s feast, mentioning his wives and concubines alongside his lords as they drink from the sacred vessels of Jerusalem.

Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)

Daniel 3 verses

Daniel 5:2

Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded that the golden and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had…

Daniel 5:3

Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of God’s house which was at Jerusalem; and the…

Daniel 5:23

but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and…