Not to be outdone, Leah had a handmaiden too: Zilpah. Also, the scriptural text seems to indicate that the sons Bilhah bore were considered to be Rachels and that she would have raised them as her own. Amen.13This amended liturgical prayer is based on the traditional, central Jewish liturgical blessing of praise, the Amidah or Standing Prayer, that invokes the blessing of the ancestors, some of which already have added the four matriarchal figures (though most have Rachel before Leah). Zilpah and Bilhahs relationship to their mistress changes when first Rachel and then Leah experience barrenness. Both Bilhah and Zilpah had their own tent in Jacob's camp (Genesis 31:33). To me, they are emblematic of all the women who have been left out of and left behind by history. Leah and Rachel, of course! avot-patriarch-fathers. s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? Can you direct me to anything about their lineage? However, Laban gave Leah as the veiled bride to Jacob instead. When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob like a wife to bear him children as well. There's a place in Tiberias that is supposed to be the common gravesite of several prominent women from Tanach; a sign there lists Bilhah, Zilpah, Yocheved, Tzipporah, Elisheva, and Avigayil. This is really an interesting conflict in the bible. The childs name, Dan, means he judged and indicates Rachels relationship to the boy: she claims that God has judged me [Hebrew dananni] and has also heard my voice and given me a son (Gen 30:6). The Rabbis brought it from here: "If you afflict my daughters" (Bereishit 31:50) gives two. After Leah has birthed four sons to Jacob, her competitive sister Rachel decides to give Bilhah, her shiphchah, to Jacob as an ishah, meaning complicatedly woman or wife (Gen 30:4). Its possible this difference of reaction is partially attributable to the support of fellow women. Bilhah was named so because of her stunning beauty. I learned that there werent always the more progressive Jewish sects that allow women to wear tallises or kippas or to become rabbis. The maid-slaves would not only serve the daughters, but they could also bear children for their mistress-owner as a surrogate if the mistress were barren. While Leah and Rachel, who are also often named together, competed against each other for Jacobs attention and to accumulate sons, Zilpah and Bilhah were always accommodating, respectful, and supportive of each other and authority figures. When Rachel marries Jacob, her father Laban gives her a maid, Bilhah (Gen 29:29; 46:25), whom she gives to Jacob as a wife (Hebrew ishah) when she finds herself barren (Gen 30:37). I had never heard of them either only Hagar. Rachel, who was Jacob's favorite wife, had not been blessed with children. Thank you. Despite this relationship to Rachel, Dan and Naphtali continue to be considered Bilhahs sons, and that influences their standing in the family. Wow,what an interesting post. According to the early rabbinical commentary Pirke De-Rabbi Eliezer, Zilpah and Bilhah, the handmaids of Leah and Rachel, respectively, were actually younger daughters of Laban. Laban gives Zilpah to Leah and Bilhah to Rachel as a maid-slave as part of their wedding dowry (Gen 29:24, 29). with Ya'akov and his sons? They are never presented as subjects with a voice, agency, or power. Jacob had worked for seven years as part of an agreement to earn Rachels hand in marriage from her father, Laban. Despite their sons being adopted by Rachel and Leah, the sons are associated with their birth mothers. In the official record given of Jacob's children in Genesis 46 Dan and Naphtali are listed as the children of Bilhah and Asher and Gad are listed as the children of Zilpah. When and how did the Twelve Apostles die? This image of a woman being supported in a squat by other women is the most common image of women giving birth throughout history and around the world. Jacob favored Rachel, his other wife, and even loved her maidservant Bilhah more than Zilpah. Maybe she was buried in Egypt. Elsewhere in the World The first son Rachel named Dan saying. I am looking to do research on the women Bilhah and Zilpah. Zilpah and Bilhah, who are usually named together, had each other, while Hagar was alone. Bilhah bears another son to Jacob under this arrangement, with Rachel again naming the child. Some of these are easier to swallow than others. While the forefathers were very cautious in choosing their spouses from Avraham's family, the Torah says nothing about Bilhah and Zilpah's ancestry. While Leah, Rachels older sister, had given birth to four sons. What did it take for them to share their husband with two other women? Through the wombs of Rachel, Leah, Bilhah, and Zilpah, Israel's people were birthed by choice and by force. Why did US v. Assange skip the court of appeal? The second son Zilpah bore Leah named Asher and said, "Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed." In midrashic texts, Rabbis have long given Zilpah and Bilhah matriarchal status, alongside Leah and Rachel. In contrast, Zilpah and Bilhahs children, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher, never directly speak or act within the tribal family,9Many of the brothers directly speak and act within the familial affairs. Is "I didn't think it was serious" usually a good defence against "duty to rescue"? They never speak in the narrative, interact with God, or are set free, like Hagar, but they also never show contempt for their mistress or run away, like Hagar (Gen 16). Jacob wanted the super-hot Rachel to have a kid. Rachel, who was Jacobs favorite wife, had not been blessed with children. Bilhahs own status in the household is somewhat ambiguous. 31 December 1999. The account of Zilpahs role as Leahs surrogate mother can be found in Genesis 30:9-13. (What makes the menage a cinq even freakier is that some commentators believe that Bilhah and Zilpah were Leah and Rachel's sisters. Their names are Bilhah and Zilpah, the servants - probably slaves - of the two sisters Rachel and Leah, the wives of Jacob. When I asked Sarah who they were, I didnt know that her answer would be my introduction to the intersection between Judaism and feminism, and would influence how I thought about my role in relation to both. I believe words have the power to change the future and heal the past. I will use the term maid-slave to capture their feminine and slavish status. Read more from The Biblical Mind. One afternoon when I was in the 7th grade, my Hebrew tutor, Sarah, was wearing a shirt that read: Sarah & Rebecca & Rachel & Leah & Bilhah & Zilpah. The first four names, the names of the matriarchs, were familiar to me. What does 'They're at four. Leah names the two sons of Zilpah and is directly involved in their upbringing. I came to realize that being a Jewish feminist means elevating women, those from our sacred texts who have been forgotten like Bilhah and Zilpah, and Jewish women today. Either way it is almost certain that Rachel would have been with Bilhah during the births of her two sons. Zilpah is given to Leah as a handmaid by Leah's father, Laban, upon Leah's marriage to Jacob (see Genesis 29:24, 46:18 ). When do you use in the accusative case? And Jacobs anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said. Rachel Giving Bilhah to Jacob from The Story of Jacob series, 1550-75, Netherlandish, Brussels. For thousands of years, these three well-known names have been referenced in histories, liturgies, prayer books, and scholarly articles alike. The Key Biblical Principle for Police Reform? Bilhah fulfills the procreative, wifely role for barren Rachel and acts as her proxy seed bearer. These maid-slaves children are owned by the mistress, because the mothers were also owned, even after being given as an ishah to Jacob. Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically. Is "I didn't think it was serious" usually a good defence against "duty to rescue"? It only takes a minute to sign up. Not exactly. Not to worry! Image source Either way it is almost certain that Rachel would have been with Bilhah during the births of her two sons. For Kristine Casey, 61, it meant giving the gift of motherhood to her infertile daughter by carrying and giving birth to her own grandson. Mi Yodeya is a question and answer site for those who base their lives on Jewish law and tradition and anyone interested in learning more. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Redirecting the Fear of Death, Teaching Genesis Beautiful Vision in an Incarcerated Context, A Pentecostals Biblical Reflections on the Asbury Revival. Jacob, of course, is thefather of Joseph and all his siblings, but the thirteen siblings havefour different mothers: Leah and Rachel, who are themselvessisters (the daughters of Laban), and Zilpah and Bilhah, who are themaidservants of Leah and Rachel, respectively. For instance, Reuben speaks and acts to dissuade the brothers from killing Joseph (Gen 37:22), Simeon and Levi speak and act after the rape of their sister Dinah (Gen 34:30), Judah speaks and acts on behalf of Benjamin over a stolen cup (Gen 44:18), Joseph speaks and acts by telling his brothers of his dreams of greatness (Gen 37:6), and Benjamin acts to weep with Joseph upon being reunited (Gen 45:14). I hope that for all of the sibling rivalry,the sisters at least loved each other. All the Bilhahs and the Zilpahs who still selflessly give of themselves to bring children to women who are unable to have them any other way and all the Rachels and the Leahs who will never be able to repay the gift.Questions To Think About: I am a scripture loving, book writing, baby snuggling, garden growing, faith-centered disciple, wife, mother, daughter, and sister. The God of Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah. Image Source. Browse other questions tagged, Like any library, Mi Yodeya offers tons of great information, but, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. What did it take for Bilhah and Zilpah to share their children with two other women? When the Israelites finally reached Canaan, they conquered it under the leadership of Joshua. xcolor: How to get the complementary color. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. They are often presented as slave-like objects in the narrative with no voice, who only act at the behest of others. During the final stage of labor a woman would squat and be supported under the arms by one or two other women. English Standard Version This may have been what Rachel meant when she said that Bilhah shall bear upon my knees. Alternatively she may have just been referring to the way in which ancient women commonly gave birth. I will use the term maid-slave to capture their feminine and slavish status. Though her reaction is not recorded, Bilhah gives birth to two sons, Dan and Naphtali, who are named by Rachel but referred to as the sons of Bilhah. Later in her life, Bilhah would have sex with Reuben, Jacobs eldest son. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? [4] He was taken into captivity but redeemed by Laban, Rachel and Leah's father. Take the Challenge Jacob was all too happy to oblige, and Bilhah popped out two more boys to bring the total to six. Book of Mormon. Military and political security, agricultural and mineral wealth, and religion all flourished during this period. Their sacrifice reminds me of all the women who make similar sacrifices around the world today. And they are not buried in the cave of Machpelah where Leah and other honored family are buried, including Sarah and Rebekah 10Schneider, Mothers of Promise, 7475, 137. If Rachel had not been barren, she would have most likely had the most children. [2] Bilhah gave birth to two sons, whom Rachel claimed as her own and named Dan and Naphtali. Meyers, Carol, General Editor. In an ancient Nuzi marriage contract it stipulated that a woman whose servant bore the children of her husband should have full authority over the offspring. (Source) This adoption ceremony was often conducted by placing the son or daughter on the knees of the mistress and declaring it her child. Oh, you know this one! And then, for good measure, she finishes out the brood with Benjamin (those must have been some powerful mandrakes). And freakier. It's all in there! As long as Rachel was alive, say these commentators, Jacob kept his bed in her tent and visited the other wives in theirs. why not correct the list to include the two maid-slave mothers? Dinah, if you are wondering.). For you are forgetting Bilhah and Zilpah, Jacob's other two wives. The only other brothers who are not singled out with specific actions in the narrative are Leahs two sons Issachar and Zebulun. I like your take on it, but I guess it always seemed like Bilhah and Zilpah didn't have any choice. Anyway, Rachel said that Jacob would go to Leah if Rachel could have the mandrakes that Reuben brought back. Book of Mormon, Study Guides Read the latest from JWA from your inbox. Zilpah and Bilhah are instead each introduced as a shiphchah (meaning maid-servant, slave-girl, or handmaid2For maid-servant or female servant see such translations as JPS, ESV, and YLT; for slave-girl see CJB, EXB, GNT, ICB, and NRSV; for handmaid see ASV and KJV. Episode 91: Israel at 75: Voices of Protest. This is reinforced by the fact that Rachel named both of the sons Bilhah bore. While Leah, Rachel's older sister, had given birth to four sons. See Schneiders Mothers of Promise: Women in the Book of Genesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008), 103105.) Bilah is cited a few verses later in verse 25 of the same genealogy. This image of a woman being supported in a squat by other women is the most common image of women giving birth throughout history and around the world. I don't think we know. The apocryphal Testament of Naftali says that Bilhah and Zilpah's father was named Rotheus. And my goal, at least for now, is to continue the act of reclaiming these women, and making them known. While Zilpah is a considered a minor Bible character, she was a vessel used to usher in two of the tribes of Israel. Probably the greatest sacrifice that any mother could ever make. Since they were servants it wasn't really like they could say no, right? Rachel plans to have children through her (as Sarah did with Hagar) by having Bilhah give birth upon my [Rachels] knees, probably a phrase that comes from adoption ritual. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Louis Katzoff, Nuzi Tablets, Bible and Spade vol 1:2 (Spring 1988): 27.5. when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. Yet they did it and through them came the 12 tribes of Israel the covenant family of the whole earth. Bilhah and Zilpah are considered lower-status individuals. In the Book of Genesis, Zilpah was Leah's handmaid, whom Leah gave to Jacob "to wife" to bear him children. "Claiming Bilhah and Zilpah." What is the meaning of AD, BC, BCE and CE? (though Rachel is not buried there either). Zilpah and Bilhah, who are usually named together, had each other, while Hagar was alone. The promises of God endure from generation to generation. Genesis 30 records that, "when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. This caused Jacob to commit to another seven years of labor to pay for Rachels hand in marriage though he took her as his wife only a week after he took Leah. The few times the story tells of their actions (bearing sons and bowing before Esau),11Schneider, Mothers of Promise, 128. it is at the behest of others. While Leah and Rachel, who are also often named together, competed against each other for Jacob's attention and to accumulate sons, Zilpah and Bilhah were always accommodating, respectful, and supportive of each other and authority figures. oklahoma city golf and country club events,
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