Reuven and Bilhah/2

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Reuven and Bilhah

Exegetical Approaches

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Sexual Desire

Reuven's act was one of promiscuity.

"וַיִּשְׁכַּב אֶת בִּלְהָה" – These sources read this phrase simply to mean that Reuven had relations with Bilhah.
Why now? According to both Jubilees and the Testaments, Reuven happened to see Bilhah while she was bathing and was overcome by desire.  This fact is absent from the Biblical text and is likely influenced by the similar story of David and Batsheva where this background is explicit.1
"וַיִּהְיוּ בְנֵי יַעֲקֹב שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר" – Ibn Ezra, R"Y Bekhor Shor, and Radak all suggest that this verse serves to close the story.  According to Ibn Ezra, after Reuven's deed, Yaakov no longer had relations with any of his wives, as Bilhah had been tainted, Rachel had died, and Leah and her maidservant Zilpah were abhorrent due to their connection to Reuven. Therefore, the verse tells us that Yaakov had only the twelve sons who were born prior to Reuven's deed.2
"כִּי עָלִיתָ מִשְׁכְּבֵי אָבִיךָ אָז חִלַּלְתָּ יְצוּעִי עָלָה" – According to these sources, Yaakov's words "כִּי עָלִיתָ מִשְׁכְּבֵי אָבִיךָ" refer to Reuven's sleeping with Bilhah, while the phrase "אָז חִלַּלְתָּ יְצוּעִי עָלָה" refers to the consequences of the action: either Reuven's defiling of himself,3 of Yaakov,4 or of Yaakov's bed,5 resulting in Yaakov refraining from further relations with Bilhah.6
"פַּחַז כַּמַּיִם אַל תּוֹתַר"
  • According to Ibn Ezra, Radak, and Ralbag the phrase "פַּחַז" refers to Reuven's reckless and impetuous personality7 which led him to sin, and therefore lose any advantages that his firstborn status would otherwise have bequeathed.
  • R"Y Bekhor Shor, instead thinks that "פַּחַז" is a verb, and the phrase refers to Reuven's punishment, that his deed caused all his advantages to quickly slip away from him like water.
Punishment – As a result of his sin, Reuven lost his first born status to Yosef, and kingship to Yehuda.  See R"Y Medan who suggests that he really deserved to be totally rejected and not counted among the tribes at all, but since he repented, he was included.8

Power Play

Reuven's deed was a power play, intended to protect Reuven's status as first born.

"וַיִּשְׁכַּב אֶת בִּלְהָה" – R. D"Z Hoffmann takes the phrase at face value to mean that Reuven slept with Bilhah.  Ramban, though, appears to understand that Reuven simply rearranged the beds so as to prevent his father from having relations with her.10
Purpose of act – These sources differ in their understanding of Reuven's specific motives:
  • Ensure inheritance - Ramban suggests that Reuven did not want Bilhah to bear any more children lest it affect his inheritance.  As a firstborn he was supposed to get a double portion, and thus he would be most affected by any added progeny.11
  • Rebellion –
Why now?
Flowery introduction : "וַיֵּלֶךְ רְאוּבֵן "

Concern for Mother's Honor