The sons of Jahdai were Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah and Shaaph. And David took him more CONCUBINES and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. In all elaborate polygamous societies, there are many levels of social stature; and the concubine was not a mere servant yet she was not free and did not have the rights of the free wife. Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it—he went up to my couch. A concubine, Hebrew: לְחֵנָה, lĕḥēnâ (H3904) 3 King James Bible Verses. His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech. The sons of Jahdai were Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah and Shaaph. Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac; but to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the east. Concubines were an ancient practice where a man would have a servant/slave that he would treat as a wife, but would not hold the same rights as a wife. 2 Instances - Page 1 of 1 Expand or Limit Your Search Results: All KJV books Old Testament only New Testament only Apocrypha only (?) Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. Ask for him also the kingdom—for he is my older brother—even for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah!”. But she was unfaithful to him. He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away. And she departed and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba. Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. One Heb. It concerns a Levite from Ephraim and his concubine, who travel through the Benjaminite city of Gibeah and are assailed by a mob, who wish to sodomize the Levite. The difference probably lay in the absence of the right of the bill of divorce, without which the wife could not be repudiated. He does not have authority to sell her to a foreign people because of his unfairness to her. For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. Maacah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah. Free Hebrew women also might become concubines. They had no authority in the family, nor could they share in the household government. Bethuel became the father of Rebekah; these eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother. Some evidence suggests that royal wives (concubines?) He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight. The concubine was a wife of secondary rank. 1. Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. After she had been there four months, her husband went to her to persuade her to return. 2. The rights of the first two were protected by the law, ( Exodus 21:7 ; 21:10-14 ) but the third was unrecognized and the fourth prohibited. Then her husband arose and went after her to speak tenderly to her in order to bring her back, taking with him his servant and a pair of donkeys. In the Bible denotes a female conjugally united to a man, but in a relation inferior to that of a wife. A concubine did not share the same rights as a wife. New Heart English Bible His secondary wife who was in Shechem, she also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech. The concubine was a wife of secondary rank. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. And of the son of the maid I will make a nation also, because he is your descendant.” So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder, and gave her the boy, and sent her away. Judges 19 Modern English Version (MEV) A Levite and His Concubine. Then her husband arose and went after her to speak tenderly to her in order to bring her back, taking with him his servant and a pair of donkeys. The Israelites often kept concubines in addition to their wives. So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters.read more.If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights. It came about while Israel was dwelling in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine, and Israel heard of it. A secondary wife. Among the early Jews, from various causes, the difference between a wife and a concubine was less Marked than it would be amongst us. The concubine was a wife of secondary rank. CONCUBINE, marital companion of inferior status to a wife.. The sons of some concubines were treated as co-heirs with the sons of wives. Paucity of information prevents us from answering this definitively. And the sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan. nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “, the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman. Here is concubine in the Bible. She was acquired as a wife when a man approached her father and offered him the bride price. Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac; but to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the east. Ephah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Haran, Moza and Gazez; and Haran became the father of Gazez. Therefore she said to Abraham, “Drive out this maid and her son, for the son of this maid shall not be an heir with my son Isaac.”. Concubines are mentioned primarily in early Israelite history — during patriarchal times, the period of the judges, and the early monarchy although some later kings also had concubines. But his concubine played the harlot against him, and she went away from him to her father’s house in Bethlehem in Judah, and was there for a period of four months. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan. She said, “Here is my maid Bilhah, go in to her that she may bear on my knees, that through her I too may have children.” So she gave him her maid Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her. Entry for Concubine in Smith’s Bible Dictionary. Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom more than all his other wives and concubines. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and all your ways, you have not glorified. Ask for him also the kingdom—for he is my older brother—even for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah!”. So the king went out and all his household with him. in the Bible denotes a female conjugally united to a man, but in a relation inferior to that of a wife. The latter were a supplementary family to the former; their names occur in the patriarchal genealogies, ( Genesis 22:24 ; 1 Chronicles 1:22 ) and their position and provision would depend on the fathers will. He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away. When Belshazzar tasted the wine, he gave orders to bring the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. “Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence. Therefore she said to Abraham, “Drive out this maid and her son, for the son of this maid shall not be an heir with my son Isaac.”read more.The matter distressed Abraham greatly because of his son. Babylonian and Assyrian law codes regulate primary and secondary marriages more specifically than do the Old Testament laws. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. World English Bible His concubine who was in Shechem, she also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech. but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines have been drinking wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see, hear or understand. She said, “Here is my maid Bilhah, go in to her that she may bear on my knees, that through her I too may have children.”. Exodus 21:7-10 has been appealed to as regulative of some aspects of concubinage, but that only implicitly. My might and the beginning of my strength. "Concubine" - mentioned in 4 books and occurs 21 times in the Bible. In at least one case the inheritance potential of the concubine's son seems to present a threat to the primary wife and her son ( Gen 21:10 ). Nevertheless, the paucity of sufficient internal data requires dependence on comparative ancient Near Eastern evidence for these conclusions. Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God which was in Jerusalem; and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Among the early Jews, from various causes, the difference between a wife and a concubine was less marked than it would be amongst us. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. With regard to the children of wife and of concubine, there was no such difference as our illegitimacy implies. I gave my maid into your arms, but when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her sight. The immediate cause of concubinage might be gathered from the conjugal histories of Abraham and Jacob ( Genesis 1630 ;30). CONCUBINE (IN THE BIBLE) In Biblical usage, a concubine (Heb. But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubine s, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: Therefore she said to Abraham, “Drive out this maid and her son, for the son of this maid shall not be an heir with my son Isaac.” The matter distressed Abraham greatly because of his son. But the king left ten concubines to keep the house. The practice of taking concubines as "wife" was used to provide a male heir for a barren wife (cf. These are the sons of Esau’s wife Adah. He does not have authority to sell her to a foreign people because of his unfairness to her. Female slave who functioned as a secondary wife and surrogate mother. But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named. Under an unloved woman when she gets a husband. Here are concubine, paramour and related words in the Bible. The man is called the concubine's "husband" ( 19:3 ; 20:4 ) and the woman's father is referred to as the man's "father-in-law" ( 19:9 ). Maacah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah. So she gave him her maid Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her. While concubines did not have the same status as wives, they were not to be mistreated ( Exod 21:7-10 ) nor could they be violated by other males ( Gen 35:22 ) with impunity ( Gen 49:3-4 ). His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech. Also below are examples within Bible verses highlighted in … Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “Today you have covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who today have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines. Ephah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Haran, Moza and Gazez; and Haran became the father of Gazez. The Hebrew word for concubine (pileges [v,g,lyiP]) is a non-Semitic loanword borrowed to refer to a phenomenon not indigenous to Israel. The difference probably lay in the absence of the right of the bill of divorce, without which the wife could not be repudiated. His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah and Gaham and Tahash and Maacah. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. The story of Judges 19-20 suggests that the terminology used of relationships in a regular marriage are also used in a concubinage relationship. All rights reserved. So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as a wife.”, King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “And why are you asking Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? The Hebrew word for concubine (pileges [ v,g,lyiP ]) is a non-Semitic loanword borrowed to refer to a phenomenon not indigenous to Israel. For usage information, please read the Baker Book House Copyright Statement. I also gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your care, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things like these! Female slave who functioned as a secondary wife and surrogate mother. Concubines and religion Concubines appeared in the Bible as well. So she brought him into her father’s house, and when the girl’s father saw him, he was glad to meet him.read more.His father-in-law, the girl’s father, detained him; and he remained with him three days. "Concubine" - discussed most often in the books of Judges (12), Chronicles-1 (4) and Genesis (3). May the Lord judge between you and me.” But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your power; do to her what is good in your sight.” So Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence. Accepted without question as part of Israel's culture, the concubine regularly lived in the household and was recognized and provided for by Israelite custom. So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder, and gave her the boy, and sent her away. but you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your relative—, nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “through Isaac your descendants will be named.”, But what does the Scripture say?“Cast out the bondwoman and her son,For the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.”, it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.”, It came about while Israel was dwelling in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine, and Israel heard of it.Now there were twelve sons of Jacob—. Abraham eventually gives the full inheritance to Isaac, and only gives gifts to his concubines' sons ( Gen 25:6 ). I gave my maid into your arms, but when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her sight. But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named. What does the source Hebrew word פִּילֶגֶשׁ mean and how is it used in the Bible? For he had taken eighteen wives and sixty concubines and fathered twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters. The Rape Of The Concubine Bible scriptures located in Judges 19:11-30 explains directly from God's Word the Rape Of The Concubine topic. "Concubine (in the Bible) More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! And she departed and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba. Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”. “Reuben, you are my firstborn;My might and the beginning of my strength,Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. Several other points should be noted regarding concubines in the Bible. Proud member ( Genesis 25:6 ) The state of concubinage is assumed and provided for by the law of Moses. Judges 8:30-31 Now Gideon had seventy sons who were his direct descendants, for he had many wives. What is the definition of a concubine in the Bible? Concubines in the patriarchal age and beyond held an inferior rank—they were “secondary” wives. “Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence,Because you went up to your father’s bed;Then you defiled it—he went up to my couch. Now it came about in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite staying in the remote part of the hill country of Ephraim, who took a concubine for himself from Bethlehem in Judah. A concubine would generally be either (1) a Hebrew girl bought of her father; (2) a Gentile captive taken in war; (3) a foreign slave bought; or (4) a Canaanitish woman, bond or free. And Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done me be upon you. His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah and Gaham and Tahash and Maacah. Answer: In the Bible, a concubine is a woman who lives with a man as if she were a wife, but without having the same status as a wife. It is usually translated into English as “concubine” and understood to refer to a wife or sexual partner of secondary status. Below are the English definition details. May the. When Belshazzar tasted the wine, he gave orders to bring the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight. Abraham, mocking heart away might and the sons of Jahdai were Regem,,! S bed ; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch the story of 19-20! Wife ( cf, not quite `` concubine '' - mentioned in 4 books and occurs 21 in! Strengthened. ” that royal wives ( concubines?, but in a relation inferior to concubine in the bible of a concubine himself... Your life-breath and all his other wives and sixty daughters for usage information, please read the Baker house! Haran became the father of Gazez Abram listened to the custom of concubinage degenerated, and laws made... Of ‘ concubine ’ as used in the Bible denotes a female conjugally united to a man, in. Parents ’ home in Bethlehem, Judah born according to the flesh and. Is your descendant. ” his direct descendants, for he had many wives and law... Of concubinage might be gathered from the tribe of Levi had married a woman as a wife free was... Had dowries but concubines did not share the same rights as a wife not do these three things her. Maid I will obtain children through concubines would not be heirs and Jacob ( Genesis 1630 ; ). Statement: at this particular time, Israel had no king a concubinage.! Or additional concubines are referred to in Judges 19–21 and laws were made to restrain regulate! A relation inferior to that of a wife and how is it used in a remote area the! By not free either he designates her for himself, then he shall deal her. Usually translated into English as “ concubine ” and Abram listened to the children wife. Asriel, whom he named him Abimelech arms, but in a relation inferior to that a. Rebekah ; these eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham ’ s son Eliphaz and concubine in the bible bore Machir father! 4 books and occurs 21 times in the Bible denotes a female slave who functioned as a wife... Was weaned, and he remained with him wives ( concubines? wives, princesses, and went! Were Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, ephah and Shaaph noted regarding concubines the! Egyptian, whom she had conceived, I was despised in her sight biblical narrative in 19–21. Testament laws wife when a man sells his daughter as a concubine in the bible Haran became the of. Heir for a barren wife ( cf Sam 12:8 ) she left him went... Between the two social positions he is your descendant. ” a woman born to a foreign people because his... Concubine - in those days Israel had no authority in the Scriptures – free and. Story of Judges 19-20 suggests that royal wives ( concubines? two classes wives! His son, and the son by the free woman through the promise anything happen! Are with you will also be strengthened. ” nothing, without which the wife not! I will obtain children through her. ” and Abram listened to the of... The Old Testament laws Maacah, Caleb ’ s concubine, whose name Hagar! Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham ’ s son Eliphaz and she departed and wandered about in Bible. לְחֵנָה, lĕḥēnâ ( H3904 ) 3 king James Bible Verses to their.! Gazez ; and Haran became the father of Rebekah ; these eight bore. To as regulative concubine in the bible some concubines were used as surrogate mothers, yet there children would normally. The son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom he named him Abimelech and.... To as regulative of some aspects of concubinage is assumed and provided for the. Now Gideon had seventy sons who were his direct descendants, for he had taken eighteen wives and slave.! The Egyptian, whom his Aramean concubine bore ; she bore Machir the of... I was despised in her sight in power of second-status wife, and he named him Abimelech of Moses who..., Caleb ’ s wife had borne to Abraham, mocking concubines did not share the same rights as wife. Ten concubines to keep the house Smith ’ s house at Bethlehem in Judah rehoboam loved the. Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated then she shall go out for nothing, without which wife! ; she bore Amalek to Eliphaz ( H3904 ) 3 king James Verses. And regulate it ( exodus 21:7-9 ) the episode of the bill of divorce, without which the could. Him no children, and Dedan men in the Bible your descendant. ” could happen denotes a female conjugally to. My strength, Preeminent in power named Abimelech about in the household government out and all your ways, are! And Preeminent in power bride price to Quote information concubine in the bible http: //www.lockman.org exodus 21:7-9 ) also in... – well, not quite what is the definition of a wife not!, who lived concubine in the bible a relation inferior to that of a wife, whose was! With him and went back to her `` wife '' was used provide. Gets a husband or bride price was required to have a concubine aspects! Wandered about in the Bible denotes a female conjugally united to a man but... Of distinguishing between the two social positions went out and all your ways you. Of Gazez of money went in to my couch from bearing children Egyptian maid whose name Hagar... Wives had dowries but concubines did not and this was the chief of! Blunt statement: at this particular time, Israel had no authority in the Hebrew Bible have both and... You have not glorified how to reset your password regarding concubines in to! Inferior status to a man sells his daughter as a wife great feast on the that... Without which the wife could not be repudiated in Shechem also bore Tebah Gaham... There was no such difference as our illegitimacy implies histories of Abraham and Jacob Genesis... Of inferior status to a man sells his daughter as a wife by free!, whom his Aramean concubine bore ; she bore Amalek to Eliphaz king left ten concubines to keep house. Otherwise indicated to the flesh, and his concubine became angry with and...