Bilhah was a handmaid of Rachel, one of the wives of Jacob in the biblical narrative. When Rachel struggled to conceive, she offered Bilhah to Jacob as a surrogate to bear children on her behalf. Bilhah bore Jacob two sons, Dan and Naphtali, who became part of the twelve tribes of Israel. Bilhah's story is found in the Book of Genesis, highlighting the customs of the time regarding family and lineage. Her role illustrates the complexities of relationships within Jacob's family, which included his other wife, Leah, and their children, further shaping the history of the Israelites.