Bilhah
- Dates
- 1724–1664 BC
Name means "faltering" or "bashful." She is Rachel's handmaid and given by Rachel to Jacob to bear her children since her "womb was closed." She is the mother of Dan and Naphtali. Reuben commits adultery with her and is cursed by Jacob.
Bible passages
- Genesis 29:29
And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
- Genesis 30:1-8
1 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. 2 And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? 3 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her. …
Text of the King James Version.