Concubine
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
A concubine was a woman who entered into a recognized domestic union with a man, occupying a social and legal position subordinate to his primary wife while still bearing children who were typically integrated into the family lineage.
What is the meaning of Concubine in the Bible?
A concubine was a woman who entered into a recognized domestic union with a man, occupying a social and legal position subordinate to his primary wife while still bearing children who were typically integrated into the family lineage.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the role of concubines clarifies the mechanisms of inheritance and succession in biblical narratives, explaining how figures like Ishmael or the sons of Gideon acquired status and property alongside those born to principal wives.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Concubine in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Concubine clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.