And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.
Read Chapter 30
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Servant, like a maid of honour. Josephus says she was not a slave, no more than Zelpha.
My knees, whom I may nurse with pleasure. It was an ancient custom to place the new-born infants upon the knees of some near relation, who gave them a name, and thus in a manner adopted them. (Chap. l. 22; Job iii. 12; Psalm xxi. 11.) (Homer) (Calmet)