KJV ORIGINAL
These are the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls were seven.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
These are the sons of Bilhah, who was given to Rachel by her father Laban. Bilhah had these children for Jacob, and there were seven people in total.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is counting the descendants of Jacob through Bilhah, Rachel's servant, totaling seven people.
📚 Historical Context
Bilhah was Rachel's maidservant who became a secondary wife to Jacob when Rachel initially couldn't have children. In ancient Near Eastern culture, it was common for barren wives to give their servants to their husbands to bear children on their behalf. This verse appears in the genealogical record as Jacob's family prepares to move to Egypt during the famine.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.
Share or Save