Zilpah
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Zilpah in the Bible?
Zilpah was a servant provided by Laban to his daughter Leah, who became the mother of Gad and Asher, two of the twelve tribes of Israel. She is recorded in Genesis 30:10-12, 35:26, and 46:18.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Zilpah clarifies the complex family dynamics and social structures of the patriarchal period, illustrating how handmaids were integrated into the household to expand lineage and secure inheritance rights within the biblical text.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Zilpah reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Zilpah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Zilpah clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Genesis 30:10-12
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Zilpah." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/zilpah/