A concubine is typically understood as a woman who lives with a man in a relationship similar to marriage but without the full legal status of a wife. In many historical and cultural contexts, concubines had an acknowledged and recognized status, often serving to bear children, especially when a primary wife was unable to do so or when a man desired additional offspring.
In the Bible, concubines are referenced in several instances:
1. **Abraham and Hagar**: One of the most notable examples is when Abraham took Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian maid, as a concubine to bear him children when Sarah was barren. This situation is detailed in Genesis 16:1-4, where Hagar becomes the mother of Ishmael.
2. **Jacob’s Concubines**: Jacob had two concubines, Bilhah and Zilpah, who bore him children. Bilhah was Rachel’s maid, and Zilpah was Leah’s maid. This is found in Genesis 30:1-8, where the struggle for children becomes a significant theme in the narrative.
3. **Gideon**: In Judges 8:30-31, Gideon is noted to have had many wives and a concubine who lived in Shechem. This concubine bore him a son named Abimelech.
4. **King Solomon**: Solomon, known for his many marriages, is also referenced for having many concubines in 1 Kings 11:3. It is noted that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines, which ultimately led him astray from following God.
These references indicate that while concubines were common in ancient biblical times, their status placed them at a different level than wives, often reflecting the social and cultural dynamics of the time.