Episode 149 - Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah: Wives of the Patriarch Jacob/Israel

Episode Summary

In this Podcast, we deal with the story whereby Jacob, who would be renamed subsequently Israel, acquired four wives from his mother’s extended family in Mesopotamia. Ironically, Jacob only wanted, and loved, one wife.

But because of his Uncle Laban’s duplicity, he ended up not only with Rachel, but with her less attractive but elder sister, Leah. As wedding presents, both sisters were given maids: Bilhah and Zilpah. Jacob ended up with thirteen children by these four women, twelve sons and one daughter.

The story itself revolves on the rivalry between Leah and Rachel to attract Jacob’s attention, thinking that bearing children was the way to his heart. In a patriarchal culture, it is both ironic and humorous that both women orchestrate not only events but Jacob himself.

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