לְחֵנָה
a concubine
Definition
The Hebrew word לְחֵנָה (lᵉchênâh) specifically means a concubine, a secondary wife or female companion in a legally recognized but subordinate marital relationship. In the biblical context, a concubine held a status above a mere servant but below a primary wife, often acquired through specific social or legal arrangements. This term appears exclusively in the Book of Daniel (Daniel 5:2, 5:3, 5:23), where King Belshazzar calls for the vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple to be brought so that he, his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. The word is used in a list of the king's courtly entourage, highlighting the social hierarchy and the extent of his royal indulgence.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only three times in the Old Testament, all within the same narrative in Daniel 5. It describes the female companions of King Belshazzar who participate in the profane feast using the sacred temple vessels. The usage is consistent, listing concubines alongside wives and lords as part of the king's company, emphasizing the grandeur of the court and the collective participation in an act of sacrilege that leads to divine judgment.
Etymology
לְחֵנָה is an Aramaic loanword used in the Hebrew text of Daniel. Its root is of uncertain meaning and is not used in other biblical Hebrew contexts. The word entered the biblical lexicon specifically through the Aramaic portions of Daniel, reflecting the linguistic and cultural setting of the Babylonian court where the story takes place.
Semantic Range
The use of this word in Daniel 5 is theologically significant as it highlights the depth of Belshazzar's defiance. By including his concubines in the act of desecrating holy vessels, the narrative underscores the king's complete and public contempt for the God of Israel. Understanding this term enriches the reading by clarifying the social composition of those held accountable, illustrating that sin and its consequences in leadership can involve and affect an entire hierarchical community, not just the ruler alone.
In the ancient Near East, concubines were a recognized part of royal and wealthy households. They were legal secondary wives, often acquired through war, treaty, or purchase, and their children could sometimes inherit, though with a lower status than those of a primary wife. In Daniel 5, their presence at the king's feast was a display of royal opulence and power. The modern concept of a concubine differs significantly, lacking the formal legal and social structures of the ancient world.
פִּילֶגֶשׁ (pilegesh, H6370) — The more common Hebrew term for concubine, used throughout the historical books (e.g., Judges 19:1, 2 Samuel 3:7). לְחֵנָה is its Aramaic counterpart found specifically in Daniel.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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