Bilhah

AI summary: Bilhah matters because the cross references present her as one of the women through whom Jacob's family expands into the tribal structure of Israel. She enters the story through Rachel's desperation for children, becomes the mother of two sons, and later reappears in the grave moral episode involving Reuben. Though her own voice is not foregrounded, her presence is significant in the formation and tensions of the patriarchal household. Taken together, the material presents Bilhah as a servant-mother whose life is woven into the origins of Israel's tribal family.¹

Faltering; bashful, Rachel’s handmaid, whom she gave to Jacob (Gen. 29:29). She was the mother of Dan and Naphtali (Gen. 30:3-8). Reuben was cursed by his father for committing adultry with her (35:22; 49:4). He was deprived of the birth-right, which was given to the sons of Joseph. ³