Dictionary of Bible Themes A woman, often a servant or slave, with whom a man had regular sexual relations, but to whom he was not married. A concubine did not have the rights of a wife and her children were not rightful heirs, though a wife might offer a servant to her husband as a concubine to have children on her behalf. 1 Kings 11:3Concubines and wives Concubines were distinguished from wives See also Judges 8:30-31Having concubines alongside wives was accepted in a polygamous society. 2 Samuel 5:13; 19:52 Chronicles 11:21 Daniel 5:2-3 Genesis 16:3 Concubines were sometimes called wives See also Genesis 25:1Hagar was Abraham's "wife" only in a secondary sense. Judges 19:1-4Keturah was one of Abraham's concubines Genesis 21:8-14Concubines did not have the rights of a wife Exodus 21:7-11They were more easily dismissed Genesis 30:3-6They did have some legal protection. Maidservants were given as concubines See also Genesis 30:9; 16:1-2Bilhah's sons would be regarded by Rachel as her own and would thus share the inheritance with Jacob's other sons. Galatians 4:22-23Genesis 16:4-6 The tension between concubines and wives See also Genesis 21:9Though Abraham's concubine, Hagar's status was still that of servant. Proverbs 30:23Galatians 4:29 Genesis 21:10-12 See also Children born to concubines were not rightful heirs Genesis 25:5-6Judges 9:18 Romans 9:7 Galatians 4:30 Hebrews 11:18 Genesis 35:22 Concubines were a symbol of possession See also By taking Jacob's concubine, Reuben laid premature claim to his father's estate Genesis 49:3-41 Chronicles 5:1 2 Samuel 3:7 Taking the concubine(s) of a king was tantamount to laying claim to the kingdom See also 2 Samuel 12:8; 16:21-22Abner is accused here of trying to usurp Ish-Bosheth's inheritance. 1 Kings 2:21-22Genesis 22:23-24 Further examples of concubines Genesis 36:12Nahor's concubine, Reumah Judges 19:1Eliphaz' concubine, Timna 2 Samuel 15:16a Levite's concubine 1 Chronicles 1:32David's concubines 1 Chronicles 2:46-48Abraham's concubine, Keturah 1 Chronicles 7:14Caleb's concubines, Ephah and Maacah Esther 2:14Manasseh's concubine Daniel 5:23Xerxes' concubines See also Belshazzar's concubines 5703 inheritance5708 marriage 5717 monogamy 5732 polygamy 5744 wife 7446 slavery |
    |