…and Their Four Moms In Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, a reoccurring theme is Jacob’s twelve sons. What is not apparent in Dreamcoat is that many of the sons were half brothers; Jacob was indeed the father of all, but there were four different moms. Here is how this convoluted family tree happened: Jacob fell […]
Jacob’s sixth son is the second child of Bilhah. Again, just as with his brother Dan, Rachel names Bilhah’s boy. She calls him Naphtali. Rachel’s explanation reveals the depth of her motivation. She says she’s had a great struggle with her sister, and Naphtali’s birth proves she has won. This means Naphtali’s conception and birth […]
Dan is Jacob’s fifth son. His mother is Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, who serves as a surrogate mother for her mistress. When Dan is born, it’s not Jacob who names him, or even Bilhah. Rachel gives the boy his name. She says he’s proof that God has vindicated her barren condition, having heard her prayers and […]
Reuben is the oldest son of Jacob and Leah. We learn more about him through three stories from his life. Each one could stem from the fact that he is the eldest brother. First, in an account that reveals his negative side, Reuben sleeps with his father’s concubine Bilhah. His actions are even more distasteful—as […]
As we covered in the previous chapter, Bilhah and Zilpah are wedding gifts to Laban’s daughters Rachel and Leah. When childless Rachel, frustrated over Leah’s fruitfulness, gives her servant Bilhah to Jacob to produce children, Leah responds by doing the same thing, offering her servant, Zilpah, to sleep with Jacob. Just like Bilhah, Zilpah gets […]
Bilhah and Zilpah aren’t familiar names in the Bible, yet their contribution to the nation of Israel is significant. When Laban’s two daughters marry Jacob, their father gives them each a wedding gift: a servant. To his daughter Leah, he gives his servant Zilpah, while to his daughter Rachel, he gives Bilhah. These two servants […]
Zilpah and Bilhah aren’t familiar women in the Bible, yet their contribution to the nation of Israel is significant. When Laban’s two daughters marry Jacob, Dad gives them each a wedding gift: a servant. To his daughter Leah, he gives his servant Zilpah, while to his daughter Rachel, he gives Bilhah. These servants should be […]
So, we know that Jacob’s twelve sons had four mothers: Leah was the spurned wife; Rachel was the favorite wife; Bilhah was Rachel’s maid and Zilpah was Leah’s maid. Here is their birth order and how it all breaks down: 1. Reuben, his mom was Leah2. Simeon, his mom was Leah3. Levi, his mom was Leah4. Judah, […]