Concubine
Culture & SocietyWhat 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
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Concubine. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Concubine in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Concubine clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Concubine." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/concubine/