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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Hastings Dictionary of the Bible: Bilhah
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BILHAH.—1. A slave-girl given to Rachel by Laban (Gen_29:29 (P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] )), and by her to Jacob as a concubine (Gen_30:3-4 (JE [Note: Jewish Encyclopedia.] )); the mother of Dan and Naphtali (Gen_30:4; Gen_30:7 (JE [Note: Jewish Encyclopedia.] ) Gen_35:25 (P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] ) Gen_46:25 (R [Note: Redactor.] ), 1Ch_7:13). She was guilty of incest with Reuben (Gen_35:22 (P [Note: Priestly Narrative.] )). The etymology is uncertain. These narratives and genealogies probably embody early traditions as to the origin and mutual relations of the tribes, rather than personal history. Tribes are traced to a concubine ancestress, because they were’ a late accession to Israel. 2. A Simeonite city (1Ch_4:29) = Baalah (Jos_15:29), Balah (Jos_19:3), and, according to some, Baalath (Jos_19:44, 1Ki_9:18, 2Ch_8:6). Site uncertain.