How Do You Spell BILHAH?

Pronunciation: [bˈɪlhə] (IPA)

The name "Bilhah" is spelled as [bɪl'ha] in IPA phonetic transcription. The first sound, [b], is a voiced bilabial stop, followed by an unstressed schwa sound, [ɪ], and a voiceless velar fricative, [l]. The final sound, [h], is an aspirated voiceless glottal fricative. The spelling might come from the Hebrew בִּלְהָה‎, which means "to be afraid" or "to tremble." In the Bible, Bilhah is mentioned as Rachel's handmaid, who gave birth to two of Jacob's children.

BILHAH Meaning and Definition

1. Bilhah is a biblical name with Hebrew origins that appears in the Old Testament of the Bible. Primarily known for being one of the maidservants to Rachel, the wife of Jacob, Bilhah plays a significant role in the narrative of the Book of Genesis.

   In biblical context, Bilhah is described as a handmaiden who was given to Rachel as a gift from her father, Laban. Rachel, who was barren at the time, presents Bilhah to Jacob, her husband, as a surrogate mother. As per the custom of the time, Bilhah bears children on behalf of Rachel. She becomes the mother of two sons named Dan and Naphtali, both of whom are counted among the twelve tribes of Israel.

   Symbolically, Bilhah represents the complex dynamics of surrogacy, motherhood, and family structure prevalent in ancient Near Eastern societies. Additionally, she embodies the theme of fertility and the desperate desire for offspring in a culture that placed high value on fertility as a sign of blessing and social status.

   The name Bilhah, in Hebrew, is believed to derive from the root word "balah" meaning "to be old or worn out." This etymology may suggest Bilhah's assigned role as a servant who was seen as a means to an end, rather than an individual with her own agency and aspirations.

   In contemporary society, the name Bilhah may be used in reference to the biblical figure or as a given name, often in Jewish or Hebrew-speaking communities, to honor the character's historical and cultural significance.

Common Misspellings for BILHAH

• vilhah
• nilhah
• hilhah
• gilhah
• bulhah
• bjlhah
• bklhah
• bolhah
• b9lhah
• b8lhah
• bikhah
• biphah
• biohah
• bilnah
• biljah
• biluah
• bilhzh
• bilhsh
• bilhwh
• bilhqh

Etymology of BILHAH

The word "Bilhah" is a Hebrew name that can be found in the Bible. Its etymology is rooted in the Hebrew language. In Hebrew, the word "Bilhah" (בִּלְהָה) is derived from the root word "balah" (בָּלָה), which means "to become old" or "to wear out". The name "Bilhah" can also be associated with the word "bilah" (בִּילָה), which means "to be frightened" or "to be terrified". However, it is important to note that the true origin and meaning of biblical names can often be ambiguous or uncertain.