CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 30:4 So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife, and he slept with her,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/30-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/01_Gen_30_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 30:4 - Dan and Naphtali" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife, and he slept with her," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/30-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/30-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/30.htm">Chapter 30</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/30-3.htm" title="Genesis 30:3">◄</a> Genesis 30:4 <a href="/genesis/30-5.htm" title="Genesis 30:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/30.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/30.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife. Jacob slept with her,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/30.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So Rachel gave her servant, Bilhah, to Jacob as a wife, and he slept with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/30.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/30.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife, and he slept with her,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/30.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/30.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then she gave him Bilhah her maid as wife, and Jacob went in to her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/30.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So she gave him her slave Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob had relations with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/30.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So she gave him her maid Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/30.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So she gave him her maid Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/30.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So she gave him her servant-woman Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/30.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So she gave him Bilhah her maid as a [secondary] wife, and Jacob went in to her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/30.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Rachel gave her slave Bilhah to Jacob as a wife, and he slept with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/30.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Rachel gave her slave Bilhah to Jacob as a wife, and he slept with her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/30.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/30.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then Rachel let Jacob marry Bilhah, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/30.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/30.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So she gave him her slave Bilhah as his wife, and Jacob slept with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/30.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So she gave Bilhah to her husband, and he had intercourse with her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/30.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So Rachel gave Jacob her woman servant Bilhah to be his wife, and Jacob had sex with her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/30.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife, and he slept with her,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/30.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So Rachel gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob had marital relations with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/30.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />So she gave him Bilhah her servant as a wife, and Jacob slept with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/30.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And she gave him Bilhah, her handmaid, for a wife: and Jacob went in to her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/30.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />She gave him Bilhah her servant as wife, and Jacob went in to her. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/30.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and she gives Bilhah her maidservant to him for a wife, and Jacob goes in to her;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/30.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and she giveth to him Bilhah her maid-servant for a wife, and Jacob goeth in unto her;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/30.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And she will give to him Bilhah her maid for a wife, and Jacob will go in to her.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/30.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And she gave him Bala in marriage: who, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/30.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And she gave him Bilhah in marriage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/30.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So she gave him her maidservant Bilhah as wife, and Jacob had intercourse with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/30.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So she gave him her maid Bilhah as a wife; and Jacob went in to her.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/30.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And she gave him her maid Bilhah to wife; and Jacob went in unto her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/30.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And she gave to him Balha her Handmaid as a wife and he went in unto her.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/30.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife; and Jacob went in unto her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/30.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And she gave him Balla her maid, for a wife to him; and Jacob went in to her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/30-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=7227" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/30.htm">Dan and Naphtali</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.” <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wat·tit·ten- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">So Rachel gave</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">Jacob</a> <a href="/hebrew/8198.htm" title="8198: šip̄·ḥā·ṯāh (N-fsc:: 3fs) -- Maid, maidservant. Feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out; a female slave.">her servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/1090.htm" title="1090: bil·hāh (N-proper-fs) -- Bilhah -- a concubine of Jacob. From balahh; timid; Bilhah, the name of one of Jacob's concubines; also of a place in Palestine.">Bilhah</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: lə·’iš·šāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">as a wife,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">and he</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">slept with</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·le·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- To, into, towards. ">her,</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>and Bilhah conceived and bore him a son.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-2.htm">Genesis 16:2</a></span><br />So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-3.htm">Genesis 16:3</a></span><br />So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years, his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-24.htm">Genesis 29:24</a></span><br />And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-29.htm">Genesis 29:29</a></span><br />Laban also gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Genesis 35:22</a></span><br />While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-4.htm">Genesis 16:4</a></span><br />And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-10.htm">Genesis 21:10</a></span><br />and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-6.htm">Genesis 25:6</a></span><br />But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/38-18.htm">Genesis 38:18</a></span><br />“What pledge should I give you?” he asked. She answered, “Your seal and your cord, and the staff in your hand.” So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Genesis 38:25</a></span><br />As she was being brought out, Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Please examine them. Whose seal and cord and staff are these?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Exodus 21:7-11</a></span><br />And if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do. / If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who had designated her for himself, he must allow her to be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has broken faith with her. / And if he chooses her for his son, he must deal with her as with a daughter. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/19-24.htm">Judges 19:24</a></span><br />Look, let me bring out my virgin daughter and the man’s concubine, and you can use them and do with them as you wish. But do not do such a vile thing to this man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/4-11.htm">Ruth 4:11</a></span><br />“We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people at the gate. “May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2</a></span><br />He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-13.htm">2 Samuel 5:13</a></span><br />After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in to her.</p><p class="hdg">to wife.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/16-3.htm">Genesis 16:3</a></b></br> And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/21-10.htm">Genesis 21:10</a></b></br> Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, <i>even</i> with Isaac.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/22-24.htm">Genesis 22:24</a></b></br> And his concubine, whose name <i>was</i> Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/30-3.htm">Bilhah</a> <a href="/genesis/29-29.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/genesis/30-2.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/30-3.htm">Maid</a> <a href="/genesis/30-3.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/genesis/29-29.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/30-3.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/26-10.htm">Slept</a> <a href="/genesis/29-30.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/30-5.htm">Bilhah</a> <a href="/genesis/30-7.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/genesis/30-5.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/30-7.htm">Maid</a> <a href="/genesis/30-7.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/genesis/30-7.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/30-7.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/30-16.htm">Slept</a> <a href="/genesis/30-9.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 30</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, gives Bilhah her maid unto Jacob.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-5.htm">Bilhah bears Dan and Naphtali.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-9.htm">Leah gives Zilpah her maid, who bears Gad and Asher.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-14.htm">Reuben finds mandrakes, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-15.htm">with which Leah buys her husband's company of Rachel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-17.htm">Leah bears Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-22.htm">Rachel bears Joseph.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-25.htm">Jacob desires to depart.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-27.htm">Laban detains him on a new agreement.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-37.htm">Jacob's policy, whereby he becomes rich.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/30.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/30.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife</b><br>In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, it was not uncommon for a barren wife to offer her maidservant to her husband as a surrogate to bear children on her behalf. This practice is also seen with Sarah and Hagar in <a href="/genesis/16.htm">Genesis 16</a>. Rachel's decision reflects her desperation and desire to compete with her sister Leah, who had already borne several children to Jacob. The giving of a servant as a wife was a legal and socially accepted practice, though it often led to familial strife, as seen in the tensions between Sarah and Hagar. This act also highlights the polygamous nature of some patriarchal families, which, while recorded in Scripture, often led to complications and was not God's original design for marriage (<a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a>).<p><b>and he slept with her</b><br>This phrase indicates the consummation of the relationship, which was necessary for Bilhah to conceive and bear children for Rachel. The act of sleeping with Bilhah was not merely a physical union but also a legal one, as it established Bilhah's role as a secondary wife or concubine. This action set the stage for the birth of Dan and Naphtali, two of the twelve tribes of Israel. The narrative underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises despite human manipulation and flawed decisions. It also foreshadows the complex family dynamics that would later affect the tribes of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/rachel.htm">Rachel</a></b><br>The beloved wife of Jacob, who was initially barren and desperate to bear children. Her actions in this verse reflect her struggle with infertility and her desire to fulfill societal and personal expectations of motherhood.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The patriarch who is married to both Leah and Rachel. His relationships with his wives and their maidservants are central to the account of the twelve tribes of Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/bilhah.htm">Bilhah</a></b><br>Rachel's maidservant, given to Jacob as a wife to bear children on Rachel's behalf. This reflects the customs of the time, where a servant could bear children for her mistress.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/marriage_custom.htm">Marriage Custom</a></b><br>The practice of giving a maidservant as a wife to bear children was a cultural norm in ancient times, reflecting the importance of lineage and inheritance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_birth_of_dan_and_naphtali.htm">The Birth of Dan and Naphtali</a></b><br>The children born to Bilhah through Jacob, who become two of the twelve tribes of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_context_and_god's_sovereignty.htm">Cultural Context and God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Understanding the cultural practices of the time helps us see how God works within human customs to fulfill His purposes. Despite human manipulation, God's plans prevail.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/desperation_and_faith.htm">Desperation and Faith</a></b><br>Rachel's actions reflect a lack of faith in God's timing. This teaches us to trust in God's plan and timing, even when circumstances seem dire.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_patience_in_god's_promises.htm">The Role of Patience in God's Promises</a></b><br>The account encourages believers to wait patiently for God's promises, rather than taking matters into our own hands, which can lead to complications.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_complexity_of_human_relationships.htm">The Complexity of Human Relationships</a></b><br>The dynamics between Rachel, Leah, Jacob, and their maidservants illustrate the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of favoritism and competition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_grace_in_imperfect_situations.htm">God's Grace in Imperfect Situations</a></b><br>Despite the flawed actions of the individuals involved, God uses these circumstances to build the nation of Israel, demonstrating His grace and sovereignty.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_30.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 30</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_role_of_the_tribe_of_dan.htm">What is the role of the Tribe of Dan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_the_7_lampstands_symbolize.htm">Who was Bilhah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_allow_concubines_in_the_bible.htm">Why did God permit concubines in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_dinah_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Dinah in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/30.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her</span>. "Whence we gather that there is no end of sin where once the Divine institution of marriage is neglected" (Calvin). Jacob began with polygamy, and is now drawn into concubinage. Though God overruled this for the development of the seed of Israel, he did not thereby condone the offense of either Jacob or Rachel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/30-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So Rachel gave</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתִּתֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tit·ten-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Jacob]</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her servant</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁפְחָתָ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(šip̄·ḥā·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8198.htm">Strong's 8198: </a> </span><span class="str2">Maid, maidservant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Bilhah</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּלְהָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(bil·hāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1090.htm">Strong's 1090: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bilhah -- a concubine of Jacob</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as his wife,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאִשָּׁ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and [he]</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲקֹֽב׃</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·qōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">slept with</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּבֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ḇō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלֶ֖יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·le·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/30-4.htm">Genesis 30:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/30-4.htm">Genesis 30:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/30-4.htm">Genesis 30:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/30-4.htm">Genesis 30:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/30-4.htm">Genesis 30:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/30-4.htm">Genesis 30:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/30-4.htm">Genesis 30:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/30-4.htm">Genesis 30:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/30-4.htm">Genesis 30:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/30-4.htm">Genesis 30:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/30-4.htm">OT Law: Genesis 30:4 She gave him Bilhah her handmaid as (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/30-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 30:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 30:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/30-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 30:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 30:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>