Meaning
A woman in a recognized secondary marital relationship with a man, distinct from his primary wife or wives.
Biblical Usage
In Scripture, a concubine was a woman who had a recognized marital relationship with a man but held a different status from his wife or wives. Concubines appear in accounts involving patriarchs, judges, kings, and other men.
The Bible records children born through concubines and describes the effects of these relationships within families and royal households. The term appears primarily in the Old Testament.
Key References
- Genesis 22:24
- Genesis 25:6
- Judges 8:30-31
- Judges 19:1-30
- 2 Samuel 5:13
- 2 Samuel 16:21-22
- 1 Kings 11:1-3
- Esther 2:14
Related Terms
- Marriage
- Husband
- Wife
- Family