In the Bible, a concubine is a woman who lives with a man and bears children for him but holds a lower social or legal status than his wife. Concubines were recognized in biblical times for family and lineage purposes, though they did not share the same rights, privileges, or honor as a wife.
Understanding this term is essential to grasp historical family structures, biblical narratives, and cultural practices of the ancient world. Let’s explore what the Bible says, examples of concubines, and how the term is understood today.
Origin of the Term “Concubine”
The word “concubine” comes from the Latin word “concubina”, meaning “one who sleeps with.” It was later adopted in English translations of the Bible to describe women who were secondary partners to men, often without full marital rights.
In Hebrew, the term is often translated from words like pilegesh (פִּלֶגֶשׁ), which refers to a woman in a permanent relationship with a man but who is not formally married.
Concubinage was historically common in many cultures, including ancient Israel, Mesopotamia, and Egypt, often as a way to:
- Ensure offspring if the wife was barren
- Strengthen social or political alliances
- Expand household labor and lineage
Biblical Usage of Concubines
In the Bible, concubines appear in various narratives, often with a neutral to negative tone, depending on context.
Examples:
| Person | Concubine | Context & Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Abraham | Hagar | Abraham’s wife Sarah was barren, so Hagar bore Ishmael. Hagar was treated as a concubine. |
| Jacob | Bilhah & Zilpah | They were maidservants given as concubines to bear children when Leah and Rachel struggled with fertility. |
| King David | Multiple concubines | David had several concubines, highlighting political alliances and household expansion. |
| Solomon | Hundreds of concubines | Often cited as a negative example, showing indulgence and eventual spiritual consequences. |
| Judges 19 | The Levite’s concubine | Story told in a tragic context, highlighting social injustice and moral decline. |
Concubines were not merely romantic figures—they often had practical, social, and political roles in the household.
Tone and Interpretation
The Bible’s tone toward concubines can vary:
- Neutral/Factual: Abraham and Jacob’s concubines were accepted culturally.
- Negative/Warning: Solomon’s concubines are connected to idolatry and downfall.
- Tragic/Reflective: Stories like the Levite’s concubine highlight injustice and societal problems.
Modern readers can use emojis to convey tone:
- Neutral/factual: 👩👧
- Negative/warning: ⚠️
- Tragic: 💔
Comparison With Related Terms
Understanding concubine is easier when comparing it to related terms:
| Term | Meaning | Biblical Context | Social Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wife | Legally married woman | Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel | Highest |
| Concubine | Secondary partner | Hagar, Bilhah | Lower, fewer rights |
| Maidservant | Servant woman | Often became concubines | Very low, dependent |
| Mistress | Non-marital partner (modern usage) | Rare in Bible | Socially informal |
Key Difference: Concubines in the Bible were often socially recognized and could bear legitimate heirs, unlike the modern term “mistress.”
Alternate Meanings
In modern usage, the word “concubine” can sometimes be used metaphorically or historically to describe:
- A secondary partner in non-biblical societies
- Women in hierarchical relationships with limited rights
- Historical or literary figures in stories set in ancient times
Polite or Professional Alternatives
In modern writing, you might avoid the term “concubine” in sensitive contexts and use alternatives:
- Secondary wife – emphasizes marital-like status
- Partner – neutral and inclusive
- Handmaid or servant in historical context – specifies social role without judgment
Examples of Biblical Concubines in Stories
Here are a few detailed examples:
- Hagar (Genesis 16)
- Sarah could not have children, so Hagar bore Abraham’s son Ishmael.
- Initially a servant, Hagar became a concubine.
- Lessons: Divine care, human conflict, and family tension.
- Bilhah & Zilpah (Genesis 30)
- Rachel and Leah gave their maidservants to Jacob to bear children.
- Shows how concubines helped preserve family lineage.
- King David’s Household (2 Samuel 5:13)
- David had multiple concubines for political and familial reasons.
- Highlights social structure of kingship in ancient Israel.
- Solomon’s Concubines (1 Kings 11:3)
- Hundreds of concubines from various nations.
- A warning about spiritual compromise and societal excess.
Usage Tips for Modern Readers
When reading about concubines in the Bible:
- Remember cultural context: norms of ancient Israel differ from modern expectations.
- Avoid applying modern moral judgment directly to biblical stories.
- Recognize gender and social hierarchies that influenced these relationships.
- Understand the term in literary, historical, and theological contexts.
FAQs
1. Was a concubine considered a wife in the Bible?
No, concubines had fewer rights than wives but could bear children and be recognized socially.
2. Did concubines have children in the Bible?
Yes, often. Children of concubines were legitimate heirs in many cases, like Ishmael.
3. Is the term concubine used in the New Testament?
It appears rarely; the focus in the New Testament shifts to marriage, morality, and household order.
4. Why did biblical men take concubines?
- To ensure children
- Political alliances
- Household labor and social strategy
5. Were concubines treated well in the Bible?
Treatment varied. Some were respected, like Hagar, but others suffered mistreatment, as seen in Judges 19.
6. Is concubine the same as mistress?
No. A concubine was socially recognized; a mistress often had no legal or social standing.
7. Can the word concubine be used today?
Yes, in historical, literary, or educational contexts, but modern use may sound outdated or offensive.
8. Are concubines mentioned in other religions?
Yes, ancient cultures including Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Islam historically recognized concubines.
Conclusion
In the Bible, a concubine was a woman who lived with a man and bore children for him but held a lower status than his wife. While some concubines, like Hagar, played significant roles in family lineage and biblical history, others were part of stories highlighting social injustice or moral warnings.
Understanding concubines requires recognizing the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel, where family, inheritance, and political alliances often influenced these relationships.
Today, the term can be discussed respectfully with alternatives like secondary wife or partner, especially in historical or educational contexts.
Practical tip: When reading the Bible, note whether the story presents the concubine neutrally, negatively, or tragically to understand the author’s perspective.
Search More Related Articles:
James Anderson is an experienced content writer and language researcher who focuses on explaining word meanings, definitions, slang terms, and modern expressions. He writes for WordNexy.com, where his articles are designed to provide accurate meanings, practical usage examples, and easy-to-understand explanations for readers worldwide.
