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While Jacob was living in that land, Reuben had sexual intercourse with Bilhah, one of his father's concubines; Jacob heard about it and was furious. Jacob had twelve sons. International Standard Version
20 sty 2022 · Jacob’s first three sons, Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, have turned out poorly (the latter two for the murder recounted in Gen 34) and are passed over in his father’s favor, leaving Judah, the fourth son listed in Gen 29, as one “whom thy brethren shall praise” (49:8).
Jubilees and the Testament of Reuben are two works of the Pseudepigrapha, which expand upon the story in Genesis; both of them seek to simultaneously condemn and excuse Reuben, as they “fill in gaps” in the biblical text.
Though her reaction is not recorded, Bilhah gives birth to two sons, Dan and Naphtali, who are named by Rachel but referred to as “the sons of Bilhah.” Later in her life, Bilhah would have sex with Reuben, Jacob’s eldest son.
In the Book of Genesis, Reuben is briefly described as having had sexual activity with Bilhah, his stepmother's maid and father's concubine in 35:22. On his deathbed, Jacob declares that Reuben "will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father's bed, onto my couch and defiled it" in 49:4.
Scholars suggest several possible motives for Reuben to sleep with—or possibly rape—his father's concubine Bilhah. Reuben is the oldest of Jacob's 12 sons, born to Leah, the wife Jacob famously failed to love.
Genesis 35:22 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it. Jacob had twelve sons:... Read verse in New International Version.
