Genesis 35:25 kjv

And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:

Genesis 35:25 nkjv

the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, were Dan and Naphtali;

Genesis 35:25 niv

The sons of Rachel's servant Bilhah: Dan and Naphtali.

Genesis 35:25 esv

The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali.

Genesis 35:25 nlt

The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant, were Dan and Naphtali.

Genesis 35 verses

Genesis 35 25 Meaning

This verse concisely enumerates two of Jacob's sons, Dan and Naphtali, specifically identifying them as borne by Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant. It is a critical part of the cumulative genealogy of the twelve patriarchs from whom the nation of Israel would descend, signifying the completion of Jacob's direct offspring and solidifying the foundational structure of the future tribes.

Genesis 35 25 Context

This verse is part of a genealogical interlude in Gen 35, following the significant events of Jacob's return to Bethel as commanded by God. In Bethel, God reaffirms the covenant, renaming Jacob "Israel" and promising the multiplication of his offspring into nations and kings. Amidst these monumental events—including the birth of Benjamin (completing the twelve), the tragic death of Rachel, and the sinful actions of Reuben—the text pauses to provide a complete list of Jacob's twelve sons, who will become the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. Verse 25, specifically listing Dan and Naphtali, born of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, highlights the diverse origins of Jacob's sons and their equal standing as patriarchs. This section marks the close of Jacob's active childbearing period and prepares for the family's migration to Egypt.

Genesis 35 25 Word analysis

• The sons of:

  • Original: הַבָּנִים (ha-bānīm).
  • Significance: "Ha" is the definite article "the." "Banim" means sons, indicating male offspring. This emphasizes that these individuals are indeed acknowledged as Jacob's full sons, not merely associated with him, despite being born to a maidservant.

• Bilhah:

  • Original: בִּלְהָה (Bil-hāh).
  • Meaning: Often suggested to mean "troubled," "feeble," or "timid."
  • Significance: She was Rachel's maidservant, given by Laban. Her role as a proxy mother highlights a common ancient Near Eastern legal custom (e.g., Nuzi tablets) where a barren wife could give her servant to her husband to bear children on her behalf, who would then be considered the wife's children. This arrangement secured the lineage and provided an heir.

• Rachel’s maidservant:

  • Original: שִׁפְחַת רָחֵל (šip̄·ḥaṯ rā·ḥēl).
  • Meaning: "Maidservant" (shiphḥat) emphasizes her social status and her belonging to Rachel. Rachel (Rāḥēl) means "ewe," symbolizing purity.
  • Significance: This phrase clarifies Bilhah's relationship within the household. Though a servant, she became an indispensable instrument for populating the foundational family of Israel. The children, by custom, were legally ascribed to Rachel. Rachel claimed them as her own, seeing them as fulfilling her desire for children.

• Dan:

  • Original: דָּן (Dān).
  • Meaning: "Judge."
  • Significance: Rachel named him Dan, saying, "God has judged me and has also heard my voice" (Gen 30:6). His name foreshadows the tribal role (Judg 18:30) and the tribe's strength, sometimes manifesting as cunning. The tribe of Dan would notably produce Samson.

• and Naphtali:

  • Original: וְנַפְתָּלִי (wə·Nap̄·tā·lî).
  • Meaning: "My wrestling" or "my struggle."
  • Significance: Rachel named him Naphtali, stating, "With great wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed" (Gen 30:8). His name encapsulates the deep sibling rivalry and personal struggle experienced by Rachel in her desire for children and preeminence within Jacob's household.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s maidservant": This phrase underlines the complex familial arrangements of Jacob's household, driven by the patriarchal expectation of numerous offspring and Rachel's barrenness. It highlights how God works through unconventional (by modern standards) and humanly imperfect situations to bring about His divine purposes—the formation of the twelve tribes. These sons, despite being from a servant, are fully integrated and essential to the lineage of Israel.
  • "Dan and Naphtali": These are not just names but future tribal progenitors. Their inclusion here signifies the final enumeration of Jacob's complete progeny. Their names reflect Rachel's emotional state during their births, indicative of the personal and relational struggles foundational to the nascent family of Israel. The fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob hinged upon the multitude of these descendants, ensuring the physical basis for a chosen nation.

Genesis 35 25 Bonus section

The genealogical order presented in Gen 35 (first Leah's sons, then Rachel's, then Bilhah's, then Zilpah's, then Benjamin last from Rachel) often reflects a deliberate theological or narrative structuring rather than strict chronological birth order, emphasizing Jacob's key relationships. The complete list of twelve sons in this chapter solidifies the structure of God's chosen nation. Notably, in Rev 7, when listing the 144,000 sealed from the tribes of Israel, the tribe of Dan is conspicuously absent, being replaced by Manasseh (son of Joseph, typically part of Ephraim). While various interpretations exist, some suggest Dan's omission is due to the tribe's early and persistent apostasy and idolatry (e.g., Judg 18, 1 Kgs 12:29), highlighting a spiritual exclusion, though their lineage in this verse confirms their initial foundational role. The equal recognition of Bilhah's sons alongside Leah's and Rachel's (and Zilpah's) underscores the biblical principle that all of Jacob's offspring, regardless of their mother's status, were integral to God's redemptive plan for Israel.

Genesis 35 25 Commentary

Genesis 35:25 is a simple yet profoundly significant genealogical statement, essential for tracking the lineage of God's chosen people. It details two of the twelve patriarchs of Israel, Dan and Naphtali, explicitly linking them to Bilhah, Rachel’s maidservant. This verse underscores the cultural practices of the ancient Near East, where maidservants could bear children for barren wives, with the offspring legally belonging to the wife. God, in His sovereignty, orchestrated these diverse family structures—two wives and two maidservants—to establish the twelve tribes that would form the nation of Israel. Despite the human rivalry and the unconventional means of their births, these sons, including Dan and Naphtali, were fully recognized and equally foundational to Jacob's progeny, demonstrating God's capacity to build His covenant nation through varying, even challenging, circumstances. This verse provides crucial data for understanding the historical development and identity of the tribes of Israel as they embark on their journey from a nomadic family to a great nation.