What is a concubine in the Bible? A concubine was a woman who held a recognized place in a man’s household, generally below that of a principal wife. She could bear his children, but her legal rights and position in the family might differ from those of a free wife. The details varied, so the term alone does not tell us everything about her circumstances.
The Bible mentions concubines in the households of Abraham, Gideon, Saul, David, and Solomon. It also records a disturbing account in Judges 19. These passages show how concubinage appeared in biblical times, but each account needs to be understood in its own context.
What Does Concubine Mean in the Bible?
The concubine meaning in the Bible is described somewhat differently across Bible dictionaries and reference works. Some define a concubine as a wife of secondary rank, while others emphasize her limited rights compared with those of a free wife.
For example, the NET Bible’s note on Judges 8:31 explains that a concubine could have a recognized sexual relationship with a man without having the same legal rights as a free wife. Other reference works also describe her as holding a lower position in the household.
The Hebrew term commonly translated as concubine is pilegesh. Its origin is uncertain, so claims about its original meaning should be treated cautiously. The Lexham Bible Dictionary’s discussion of the term explains this uncertainty.
Although these definitions share a general idea of lower status, they do not mean that every concubine had identical rights or lived under the same circumstances.
Was a Concubine the Same as a Mistress?
Not exactly. In modern English, mistress usually refers to a woman who has a sexual relationship with a married man outside his marriage. In biblical accounts, a concubine held a recognized place in a man’s household, although she generally had a lower status than his principal wife.
The terms may overlap in some discussions, but concubine and mistress are not interchangeable in every context. The biblical term describes a particular household relationship in its ancient setting, so its meaning should not be assumed from modern English usage alone.
What Was the Difference Between a Wife and a Concubine?
A principal wife generally held a higher position in the household than a concubine. Both could bear children, but their legal and social circumstances could differ.
| Aspect | Principal wife | Concubine |
|---|---|---|
| Household position | Generally held a higher status | Generally held a secondary status |
| Biblical description | Usually identified as a wife | Identified as a concubine where the text uses that term |
| Rights and protections | Depended on the household and circumstances | Could have fewer legal rights and protections |
| Family and inheritance | Depended on the circumstances and biblical account | Depended on the circumstances and biblical account |
This is a general comparison, not a universal legal rule. The Bible does not establish that every wife or concubine had identical rights, protections, or inheritance arrangements.
Examples of Concubines in the Bible
The following examples show concubinage in family histories, royal households, and accounts of injustice. They also illustrate why we must distinguish what Scripture explicitly says from later interpretations.
Hagar and Abraham: What Does Genesis Actually Say?
Bible references: Genesis 16:1–6; Genesis 21:9–21
Hagar was Sarah’s Egyptian servant. When Sarah had not borne Abram a child, she gave Hagar to him. Genesis 16:3 describes Sarah giving Hagar to Abram “to be his wife” in the King James Version.
Genesis does not explicitly call Hagar a concubine. Some reference works classify her relationship within the broader practice of concubinage because of her position in Abraham’s household. However, this is an interpretation of the arrangement, not the specific label used in Genesis.
Genesis 16 and 21 describe the conflict that followed, Hagar’s distress, and her departure with her son Ishmael. Her story reveals the personal hardship that arose from this household arrangement.
Keturah: Abraham’s Wife or Concubine?
Bible references: Genesis 25:1–6; 1 Chronicles 1:32–33
The Bible describes Keturah differently in two passages. Genesis 25:1 says Abraham took another wife named Keturah, while 1 Chronicles 1:32 calls her his concubine. Genesis 25:6 also refers to Abraham’s concubines in the plural.
Both descriptions should be acknowledged. Since the passages do not directly explain this difference, it is better to recognize their wording than to present one explanation as certain.
Genesis 25:5–6 adds an important family detail. Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac, while giving gifts to the sons of his concubines before sending them away from Isaac. The passage distinguishes Isaac’s inheritance from the provision made for the other sons, but it does not establish a universal inheritance rule for every concubine’s children.
For more background on Abraham’s life and family, read our guide to Abraham in the Bible.
Gideon’s Concubine in Judges
Bible reference: Judges 8:30–31
Judges 8:31 says Gideon’s concubine lived in Shechem and bore him a son named Abimelech. The passage identifies her relationship to Gideon but provides little information about her life.
Abimelech later becomes a central figure in Judges 9, where he seeks power and commits acts of violence. Scripture does not explain his mother’s role in his decisions, so claims about her motives would go beyond what the text tells us.
Rizpah and the Concubines of David and Solomon
Bible references: 2 Samuel 3:7; 2 Samuel 16:20–23; 2 Samuel 20:3; 1 Kings 11:1–3
Rizpah was a concubine of King Saul. In 2 Samuel 3:7, Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth challenges Abner over his alleged relationship with her. The dispute takes place during a struggle for power following Saul’s death, giving the episode a political dimension.
David’s concubines appear in accounts of his reign. In 2 Samuel 16:20–23, Absalom’s actions toward the women David left behind form part of his rebellion against his father. After David returns to Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 20:3 says he places ten concubines in a house under guard and provides for them, but no longer has sexual relations with them. They remain confined and live as widows for the rest of their lives. <Cite refs={[“turn718497search0″,”turn718497search12”]}/>
Solomon’s household provides another example. According to 1 Kings 11:3, he had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. The passage connects his many wives with his turning away from the Lord, placing his household within the wider account of his disobedience.
The Levite’s Concubine in Judges 19
Bible references: Judges 19–21
The account of the Levite’s concubine describes severe violence against a woman who had little power to protect herself. Judges 19:25 says the Levite took her and sent her outside to the men, who raped and abused her throughout the night. At dawn, they let her go. When the Levite later tells her to get up, she does not respond. <Cite refs={[“turn718497search2″,”turn718497search8”]}/>
The story continues into Judges 20–21, where the woman’s treatment becomes part of a wider national crisis. She is the victim of the violence described, not responsible for it. The account exposes cruelty and the failure of those who should have protected her. Its presence in Scripture does not mean these actions are approved or presented as an example to follow.
Why Did God Allow Concubines in the Bible?
The Bible records concubinage in several households, but it does not give one direct explanation for why God permitted every arrangement. These accounts describe a practice that existed in the societies of biblical times. Some passages record household relationships, while others show the conflict and suffering that could arise from them.
Genesis 2:24 describes a man being united to his wife and the two becoming one flesh. Jesus refers to this passage in Matthew 19:4–6 when teaching about marriage. Many Christian traditions understand these verses as foundational to the biblical view of marriage.
Some Christian interpreters therefore view concubinage as a practice recorded in Scripture, rather than the ideal for marriage. This conclusion comes from considering individual accounts alongside broader biblical teaching; Scripture does not directly explain why God permitted every historical arrangement.
The distinction matters: a practice being described in Scripture does not automatically mean that Scripture commands it or presents it as the model for Christian life.
What Do Biblical Laws Say About Concubines?
Several Old Testament laws address household arrangements involving women, but they deal with specific situations rather than providing one comprehensive law covering every concubine.
Exodus 21:7–11 addresses a daughter sold as a female servant and sets out obligations concerning her treatment. These include provisions for food, clothing, and marital rights in the circumstances described by the passage.
Deuteronomy 21:10–14 concerns a woman taken captive in war whom a man wishes to marry. The law requires a period of mourning and states that if he later releases her, he must not sell her or treat her as a slave.
Deuteronomy 17:14–20 gives instructions for Israel’s king, including a warning against taking many wives because they could turn his heart away from God. This provides relevant context for Solomon’s story, although it does not set out a detailed law governing every concubinage arrangement.
These passages address different circumstances and responsibilities. They should be read in their individual contexts rather than treated as one identical set of rules.
Is Having a Concubine a Sin or Adultery?
Concubinage and adultery are different terms. In biblical accounts, a concubine could hold a recognized place in a man’s household. Adultery concerns sexual unfaithfulness within a marriage. The label concubine alone, however, does not settle every moral question about a particular relationship.
This distinction does not mean that every practice recorded in the Old Testament is a model for Christians today. Genesis 2:24 and Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 19:4–6 are central to many Christian understandings of marriage. Many traditions interpret these passages as affirming the union of husband and wife as the pattern for marriage.
So, is having a concubine automatically the same as committing adultery? No. The terms describe different things, but that distinction does not establish that every concubinage arrangement was morally approved or should be followed today. Christians consider individual biblical accounts alongside the wider teaching of Scripture when forming a theological conclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Concubines in the Bible
What Is a Modern-Day Concubine?
In modern English, concubine is mainly a historical term for a woman in a recognized secondary-partner relationship resembling an ancient concubinage arrangement. Its meaning depends on cultural and legal context, and it has no single universal legal definition today. It is not automatically equivalent to a legal spouse, mistress, or unmarried partner.
Who Had the Most Concubines in the Bible?
First Kings 11:3 records that Solomon had 300 concubines and 700 wives of royal birth.
Conclusion
A concubine in the Bible generally held a secondary position in a man’s household, although circumstances differed between accounts. Hagar’s description in Genesis and Keturah’s descriptions in Genesis and Chronicles show why each passage’s wording matters. Reading these accounts alongside biblical teaching about marriage helps Christians distinguish historical practices from the principles they draw from Scripture.
Hi, I’m Prashanta Kumbhar, a Christian blogger, faith writer, and the founder of Light and Gospel (LightandGospel.com), based in Odisha, India.
I regularly write Bible devotionals, prayers, Scripture reflections, and faith-based messages to encourage people in their daily walk with Jesus Christ and help them grow in hope, faith, and spiritual strength.
Along with blogging, I also create Christian content on my YouTube channel “The God Helps” and share faith, prayer, Bible study, and motivational messages across social media platforms like Facebook & Instagram. My mission is to make God’s Word simple, practical, & meaningful for everyday life.