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Genesis 35:22
New English Translation
Genesis 35:22
New English Translation
22 While Israel was living in that land, Reuben went to bed with[a] Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Israel heard about it.
Jacob had twelve sons:
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- Genesis 35:22 tn Heb “lay down with.” The verb שָׁכַב (shakhav) “to lie down” can imply going to bed to sleep or be a euphemism for sexual relations.sn Reuben’s act of having sexual relations with Bilhah probably had other purposes than merely satisfying his sexual desire. By having sex with Bilhah, Reuben (Leah’s oldest son) would have prevented Bilhah from succeeding Rachel as the favorite wife, and by sleeping with his father’s concubine he would also be attempting to take over leadership of the clan—something Absalom foolishly attempted later on in Israel’s history (2 Sam 16:21-22).
Genesis 35:22
English Standard Version
Genesis 35:22
English Standard Version
22 While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and (A)lay with Bilhah his father's concubine. And Israel heard of it.
Now the sons of Jacob were twelve.
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New English Translation (NET)
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English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.