Genesis 30:5 - Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 30:5" mean?
The verse "Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son" (Genesis 30:5) means exactly what it says:
Bilhah: Refers to Bilhah, who was Rachel's handmaid.
Conceived: She became pregnant.
Bore Jacob a son: She gave birth to a male child who was considered Jacob's son.
Context and Significance:
This verse is part of the narrative about Jacob's wives, Leah and Rachel, and their struggles to bear him children. In the ancient Near Eastern context, fertility was highly valued, and bearing children, especially sons, was a source of status and security.
Rachel was barren (unable to have children), so she gave her handmaid Bilhah to Jacob as a surrogate. According to the customs of the time, any children born to Bilhah would legally be considered Rachel's. This was a common practice to provide heirs and maintain the family line when the wife was infertile.
The son born to Bilhah in this verse was Dan. This event is important because:
It reflects the competition and tension between Leah and Rachel.
It shows the lengths to which Rachel (and later Leah) went to provide Jacob with offspring.
It contributes to the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel, as Jacob's sons became the ancestors of these tribes.
Genesis 30:5 - Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son.
What does "Genesis 30:5" mean?
The verse "Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son" (Genesis 30:5) means exactly what it says:
Bilhah: Refers to Bilhah, who was Rachel's handmaid.
Conceived: She became pregnant.
Bore Jacob a son: She gave birth to a male child who was considered Jacob's son.
Context and Significance:
This verse is part of the narrative about Jacob's wives, Leah and Rachel, and their struggles to bear him children. In the ancient Near Eastern context, fertility was highly valued, and bearing children, especially sons, was a source of status and security.
Rachel was barren (unable to have children), so she gave her handmaid Bilhah to Jacob as a surrogate. According to the customs of the time, any children born to Bilhah would legally be considered Rachel's. This was a common practice to provide heirs and maintain the family line when the wife was infertile.
The son born to Bilhah in this verse was Dan. This event is important because:
It reflects the competition and tension between Leah and Rachel.
It shows the lengths to which Rachel (and later Leah) went to provide Jacob with offspring.
It contributes to the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel, as Jacob's sons became the ancestors of these tribes.