Genesis 35:25
Genesis 35:25 in Multiple Translations
The sons of Rachel’s maidservant Bilhah were Dan and Naphtali.
And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:
and the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid: Dan and Naphtali;
The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali;
The sons of Rachel's personal maid Bilhah: Dan and Naphtali.
And the sonnes of Bilhah Rahels maide: Dan and Naphtali.
And sons of Bilhah, Rachel's maid-servant: Dan and Naphtali.
The sons of Bilhah (Rachel’s servant): Dan and Naphtali.
And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:
The sons of Bala, Rachel’s handmaid: Dan and Nephtali.
The sons of Rachel’s female slave Bilhah were Dan and Naphtali.
Rachel’s working woman Bilhah, she had 2 sons, – Dan – Naphtali
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 35:25
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 35:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/בְנֵ֤י
בִלְהָה֙
שִׁפְחַ֣ת
רָחֵ֔ל
דָּ֖ן
וְ/נַפְתָּלִֽי
וּ/בְנֵ֤י
bên
H1121
son
Conj | N-mp
בִלְהָה֙
Bilhâh
H1090
Bilhah
N-proper
שִׁפְחַ֣ת
shiphchâh
H8198
maidservant
N-fs
רָחֵ֔ל
Râchêl
H7354
Rachel
N-proper
דָּ֖ן
Dân
H1835
Dan
N-proper
וְ/נַפְתָּלִֽי
Naphtâlîy
H5321
Naphtali
Conj | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 35:25
וּ/בְנֵ֤י
bên
H1121
"son"
Conj | N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
בִלְהָה֙
Bilhâh
H1090
"Bilhah"
N-proper
Bilhah was a concubine of Jacob and also the name of a place in Palestine, meaning troubled. She appears in Genesis 29-30. Bilhah was given to Jacob by his wife Rachel.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.29; married to Israel (H3478); mother of: Dan (H1835H) and Naphtali (H5321) § Bilhah = "troubled" Rachel's handmaid whom she gave to Jacob as a concubine, mother to two of Jacob's children, Dan and Naphtali
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: Bilhah. See also: Genesis 29:29; Genesis 35:22; 1 Chronicles 7:13.
שִׁפְחַ֣ת
shiphchâh
H8198
"maidservant"
N-fs
A shiphchah was a female slave or servant in a household, often belonging to a mistress. This term is used to describe a lowly position, and is sometimes used as a term of humility or respect.
Definition: 1) maid, maid-servant, slavegirl 1a) maid, maid-servant (as belonging to a mistress) 1b) of address, speaker, humility (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: (bond-, hand-) maid(-en, -servant), wench, bondwoman, womanservant. See also: Genesis 12:16; Ruth 2:13; Psalms 123:2.
רָחֵ֔ל
Râchêl
H7354
"Rachel"
N-proper
Rachel was a wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Her name means ewe, and she is an important figure in the book of Genesis, where her story is told in detail.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.6; daughter of: Laban (H3837A); sister of: Leah (H3812); married to Israel (H3478); mother of: Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144) Also named: Rhachēl (Ῥαχήλ "Rachel" G4478) § Rachel = "ewe" daughter of Laban, wife of Jacob, and mother of Joseph and Benjamin
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: Rachel. See also: Genesis 29:6; Genesis 30:25; Jeremiah 31:15.
דָּ֖ן
Dân
H1835
"Dan"
N-proper
Dan was a son of Jacob and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Dan was known for its skills in warfare and is mentioned in the book of Genesis.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Dan living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.6; son of: Israel (H3478) and Bilhah (H1090A); brother of: Naphtali (H5321); half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Hushim (H2366B) § Dan = "a judge" 1) the 5th son of Jacob, the 1st of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid 2) the tribe descended from Dan, the son of Jacob 3) a city in Dan, the most northern landmark of Palestine
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: Daniel See also: Genesis 14:14; Judges 13:25; Jeremiah 4:15.
וְ/נַפְתָּלִֽי
Naphtâlîy
H5321
"Naphtali"
Conj | N-proper
Naphtali was a son of Jacob and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He was born to Bilhah, Rachel's servant, and is first mentioned in Genesis 30:8. Naphtali's descendants lived in the region of Galilee.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Naphtali living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.8; son of: Israel (H3478) and Bilhah (H1090A); brother of: Dan (H1835H); half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Jahzeel (H3183), Guni (H1476), Jezer (H3337) and Shillem (H8006) Also named: Nephthaleim (Νεφθαλείμ "Naphtali" G3508) § Naphtali = "wrestling" 1) the 5th son of Jacob and the 2nd by Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel 2) the tribe descended from Naphtali the son of Jacob 3) the territory assigned to the tribe of Naphtali
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: Naphtali. See also: Genesis 30:8; Judges 1:33; Psalms 68:28.
Study Notes — Genesis 35:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Sons of Jacob
23The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
24The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.
25The sons of Rachel’s maidservant Bilhah were Dan and Naphtali.
26And the sons of Leah’s maidservant Zilpah were Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan-aram. 27Jacob returned to his father Isaac at Mamre, near Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 46:23–25 | The son of Dan: Hushim. The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. These are the sons of Jacob born to Bilhah, whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel—seven in all. |
| 2 | Genesis 37:2 | This is the account of Jacob. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was tending the flock with his brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah, and he brought their father a bad report about them. |
| 3 | Genesis 30:4–8 | So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife, and he slept with her, and Bilhah conceived and bore him a son. Then Rachel said, “God has vindicated me; He has heard my plea and given me a son.” So she named him Dan. And Rachel’s servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. Then Rachel said, “In my great struggles, I have wrestled with my sister and won.” So she named him Naphtali. |
Genesis 35:25 Summary
Genesis 35:25 tells us about the sons of Rachel's maidservant Bilhah, who were Dan and Naphtali. This verse helps us understand that even though Bilhah was a maidservant, her sons were still considered part of Jacob's family and were loved and valued by God, just like all of us are loved and valued by God (as seen in John 3:16 and Galatians 3:28). This reminds us that family is not just about blood relationships, but about the people we care about and who care about us. As we reflect on this verse, we can think about how we can show love and acceptance to those around us, just like God shows love and acceptance to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the sons of Rachel's maidservant Bilhah included in the list of Jacob's sons?
The sons of Rachel's maidservant Bilhah are included in the list of Jacob's sons because they were considered part of his household and family, as seen in Genesis 35:25 and Genesis 30:3-4, where Bilhah is given to Rachel as a maidservant to bear children on her behalf.
What is the significance of Dan and Naphtali being the sons of Bilhah?
Dan and Naphtali being the sons of Bilhah highlights the complex family dynamics of Jacob's household, where maidservants played a significant role in bearing children, as also seen in the case of Leah's maidservant Zilpah in Genesis 35:26.
How does this verse fit into the larger narrative of Jacob's life?
Genesis 35:25 is part of the larger narrative of Jacob's life, where he is returning to his father Isaac and settling in the land of Canaan, as seen in Genesis 35:27, and this verse helps to establish the family relationships and descendants of Jacob, which is important for understanding the tribes of Israel in the later biblical narrative.
What can we learn from the fact that Bilhah's sons are named alongside the sons of Leah and Rachel?
The fact that Bilhah's sons are named alongside the sons of Leah and Rachel highlights the importance of all members of the household in the biblical narrative, regardless of their social status, and reminds us that all are valued and loved by God, as seen in Galatians 3:28.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about the complex family dynamics of Jacob's household, and how can we apply this to our own understanding of family relationships?
- How does the inclusion of Bilhah's sons in the list of Jacob's sons reflect the biblical theme of God's love and acceptance for all people, regardless of their background or social status?
- What can we learn from the fact that Dan and Naphtali, the sons of Bilhah, are part of the tribe of Israel and play a significant role in the later biblical narrative?
- How can we use this verse to reflect on our own place within the larger family of God, and how can we show love and acceptance to those around us, regardless of their background or social status?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 35:25
And the sons of Bilhah,.... Then Bilhah's sons, who was Rachel's handmaid, and these were two, Dan and Naphtali.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 35:25
The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun: Sons of Jacob ... born ... in Padan-aram.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 35:25
22b–29 (P). Jacob’s Sons, and the Death of Isaac 22b. the sons of Jacob] The names of Jacob’s sons are enumerated after the mention of Benjamin’s birth. But the enumeration is that of P, which assumes that all the sons of Jacob, including Benjamin, were born to him in Paddan-aram (Genesis 35:26), in direct contradiction to Genesis 35:16-18 (J). twelve] A sacred number, found also in the sons of Nahor and Ishmael (Genesis 17:20, Genesis 22:20-24, Genesis 25:16).
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 35:25
22. Bilhah — Rachel’s handmaid, and mother of Dan and of Naphtali. Genesis 30:3-8. Israel heard — And it occasioned to Reuben the loss of his birthright, and the words of reproach recorded in Genesis 49:4.
Sermons on Genesis 35:25
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 38:27-30 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis. Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers and ends up in Egypt, where he becomes a prominent |
|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 37 Introduction by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the 37th chapter of the book of Genesis, which introduces the story of Joseph. The preacher explains that there is more emphasis on Joseph t |
|
Christ in Genesis: Joseph's Throne by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the lives of four individuals from the book of Genesis: Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Paul. He emphasizes the importance of accepting Jesus as the sa |
|
Joseph: And He Washed His Face by J. Frank Norris | In this sermon, the preacher, Dillon, discusses the importance of human relationships and the need to follow God's law. He emphasizes the significance of presenting oneself in a ca |