Bilhan is a biblical figure mentioned in the genealogies of the Old Testament. He appears in the context of the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, and is associated with the Edomite lineage. The name "Bilhan" is believed to mean "their decrepitude" or "modest," though interpretations of ancient names can vary.

Genealogical Context

Bilhan is listed as a descendant of Seir the Horite, a group that inhabited the land of Edom before the Edomites. In Genesis 36:20-27, the genealogy of Seir is detailed, and Bilhan is mentioned as one of the sons of Ezer, who was a son of Seir. The passage states:

"These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These are the chiefs of the Horites, the sons of Seir, in the land of Edom. The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan." (Genesis 36:20-27)

Bilhan's inclusion in this genealogy highlights the interconnectedness of the various tribes and families that occupied the region surrounding the Israelites. The Horites, to whom Bilhan belonged, were eventually assimilated into the Edomite nation, which was descended from Esau.

Tribal Associations

Bilhan is also mentioned in the genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In 1 Chronicles 7:10, Bilhan is listed as a descendant of Jediael, a son of Benjamin:

"The son of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar." (1 Chronicles 7:10)

This reference places Bilhan within the context of the Israelite tribes, specifically the tribe of Benjamin. The mention of his sons suggests that Bilhan was a progenitor of a family line within this tribe, contributing to the growth and development of the Benjamite clan.

Historical and Theological Significance

Bilhan's presence in the biblical genealogies serves as a reminder of the complex relationships between the various peoples of the ancient Near East. His dual mention in the genealogies of both the Horites and the Benjamites illustrates the fluidity of tribal affiliations and the intermingling of different ethnic groups over time.

From a theological perspective, the genealogies in which Bilhan appears underscore the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over the nations and His orchestration of history. The inclusion of diverse lineages in the biblical narrative reflects the unfolding of God's plan through a variety of peoples and cultures, ultimately leading to the fulfillment of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Bilhan's role, though minor in the grand narrative of Scripture, contributes to the rich tapestry of biblical history, highlighting the interconnectedness of God's people and their neighbors.Bilhan

(modest).

1. A Horite chief dwelling in Mount Seir. (Genesis 36:27; 1 Chronicles 1:42)
2. A Benjamite, son of Jediael. (1 Chronicles 7:10)

BILHAN (3)

bil'-han (bilhan; Balaan):

(1) A Horite chief, son of Ezer (Genesis 36:27 1 Chronicles 1:42).

(2) A descendant of Benjamin, son of Jediael, father of seven sons who were heads of houses in their tribes (1 Chronicles 7:10).

BILL, BOND, etc.

(1) In the parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:6 f) "bill," the King James Version, better "bond," the Revised Version (British and American), is used to translate the Greek grammata, which is the equivalent of the contemporary Hebrew legal term sheTar, "writing." This "writing," in the usage of the times, was an acknowledgment of the taking over or receiving of goods or money that had to be written and signed by the debtor himself. (See Babha' Bathra' Luke 10:8.) Edersheim's averment that the Greek word was adopted into the Hebrew (Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, II, 272), is based, according to competent textual critics, upon a false reading. The Greek, according to Tischendorf, Tregelles, and Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek, is ta grammata, not to gramma (Textus Receptus of the New Testament). The word is indefinite, literally "the letter," and determines nothing involved in controversy.

(2) A question much discussed is, Was "the bond" (the Revised Version (British and American)) merely an acknowledgment of debt, or was it an obligation to pay a fixed annual rental from the produce of a farm? Edersheim, for instance, holds the former view, Lightfoot the latter. That the obligation is stated in the parable in kind-wheat and oil-and not in money-seems to bear against the simple debt theory. Edersheim sets down the remissions spoken of as authorized by the steward as amounting in money value to only about 5 British pounds and 25 British pounds respectively, and thinks they represented not a single but an annual payment (compare Kennedy, 1-vol HDB, and Fraser, DCG, article "Bill").

(3) Still another question has arisen: Was the old "bond" simply altered, or was a new one substituted for it? Here again Lightfoot and Edersheim are in the controversy and on opposite sides. The alteration of the old bond is suggested though not demanded by the language here, and, moreover, would be, Edersheim thinks, in accordance with the probabilities of the case. Such bonds were usually written, not on vellum or papyrus, but on wax-covered tablets, and so could be easily erased or altered by the stylus with its fiat, thick "eraser" (mocheq).

(4) It is probably safe to conclude:

(a) that the "bill" or "bond" had to be written and signed by the person assuming the obligation;

(b) that it was the only formal or legal evidence of the debt incurred; and

(c) that the supervision of the whole transaction belonged of right to "the steward." Should "the steward" conspire with the debtor against the master, the latter, it would appear, would have no check against the fraud.

LITERATURE.

Lightfoot, Hor. Hebrew, edition L. and T., II, 268-73; Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, II, 272; crit. commentary in the place cited.

George B. Eager

1092. Bilhan -- the name of an Edomite, also of an Israelite
... 1091, 1092. Bilhan. 1093 . the name of an Edomite, also of an Israelite.
Transliteration: Bilhan Phonetic Spelling: (bil-hawn') Short Definition: Bilhan. ...
/hebrew/1092.htm - 6k

Chapter xxxvi
... And these are the children of Ezer: Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Akan. ... "Bilhan" (v.27)
can for the same reason not be identified with Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

Bilhan (3 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia BILHAN (3). bil'-han (bilhan; Balaan): (1) A Horite
chief, son of Ezer (Genesis 36:27 1 Chronicles 1:42). ...Bilhan (3 Occurrences). ...
/b/bilhan.htm - 10k

Jeush (9 Occurrences)
... 14, 18). (2.) A son of Bilhan, grandson of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 7:10).
(3 ... 1 Chronicles 7:10 The sons of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of ...
/j/jeush.htm - 11k

Ahishahar (1 Occurrence)
... AHISHAHAR. a-hish'-a-har ('achishachar, "brother of dawn"): One of the sons of Bilhan,
the son of Jediael, the son of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 7:10). ...
/a/ahishahar.htm - 7k

Za'avan (2 Occurrences)
... Za'avan (2 Occurrences). Genesis 36:27 These are the children of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan,
and Akan. ... 1 Chronicles 1:42 The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, and Zaavan, Jaakan. ...
/z/za'avan.htm - 6k

Zethan (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Chronicles 7:10 The sons of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, and Benjamin,
and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tarshish, and Ahishahar. ...
/z/zethan.htm - 7k

Zaavan (2 Occurrences)
... Zaavan (2 Occurrences). Genesis 36:27 These are the children of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan,
and Akan. ... 1 Chronicles 1:42 The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, and Zaavan, Jaakan. ...
/z/zaavan.htm - 7k

Kenaanah (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 7:10 The sons of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, and Benjamin,
and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tarshish, and Ahishahar. ...
/k/kenaanah.htm - 7k

Je'ush (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 7:10 The sons of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, and Benjamin,
and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tarshish, and Ahishahar. ...
/j/je'ush.htm - 8k

Jediael (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 7:10 The sons of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, and Benjamin,
and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tarshish, and Ahishahar. ...
/j/jediael.htm - 9k

Jedi'a-el (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 7:10 And the sons of Jediael: Bilhan; and the sons of Bilhan: Jeush,
and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tarshish, and Ahishahar ...
/j/jedi'a-el.htm - 7k

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