Lexical Summary Zilpah: Zilpah Original Word: זִלְפָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Zilpah : from an unused root apparently meaning to trickle, as myrrh; fragrant dropping; Zilpah, Leah's maid -- Zilpah. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition one of Jacob's wives NASB Translation Zilpah (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs זלף (√ of following; Thes compare Aramaic זְלַף Pa`el drop, drip; compare  ; also Late Hebrew זִלּוּף sprinkling,  dropping, pouring,  a full bowl, etc.) זִלְמָּה proper name, feminine Leah's maid, one of Jacob's wives, mother of Gad and Asher Genesis 29:24; Genesis 30:9,10,12 (all J), Genesis 35:26; Genesis 37:2; Genesis 46:18 (all P). Topical Lexicon Narrative Context and Family Placement Zilpah enters the biblical record when Laban assigns her to his daughter Leah upon Leah’s marriage to Jacob (Genesis 29:24). In the complex household dynamics that follow, Leah later gives Zilpah to Jacob as a wife (concubine) when Leah herself has ceased bearing children (Genesis 30:9). As such, Zilpah functions both as servant and as secondary wife within the patriarchal family, illustrating prevailing Near-Eastern customs while also advancing God’s redemptive program through the chosen family line. Instrumentality in Covenant Expansion Although Zilpah’s social standing is lower than Leah’s or Rachel’s, her inclusion as a wife demonstrates that God’s covenant purposes are not limited by human hierarchies. Through her, Jacob’s household increases, fulfilling the divine promise of numerous offspring (Genesis 28:14). The arrival of her sons, Gad and Asher, directly contributes to the founding of two tribes of Israel, ensuring their representation among the twelve tribes recorded on the breastpiece of the high priest (Exodus 28:15-21) and at the sealing of the one hundred forty-four thousand (Revelation 7:5-8, though Asher and Gad are listed and Zilpah herself is unmentioned). The Sons of Zilpah: Gad and Asher • Gad (Genesis 30:10-11) – Leah declares, “How fortunate!”, marking Gad’s birth as a sign of divine favor despite the unconventional arrangement. The tribal reputations of Gad (noted for valor; 1 Chronicles 12:8) and Asher (known for prosperity; Genesis 49:20) testify that God can bring strength and abundance from unexpected quarters, honoring the faithfulness of those otherwise marginalized. Occurrences in Genesis 1. Genesis 29:24 – Laban presents Zilpah to Leah. These passages consistently recognize Zilpah’s maternity, safeguarding her memory within Israel’s foundational story. Spiritual and Ministry Lessons • God values every member of His covenant family; social status does not hinder usefulness in His plan. Intertextual Echoes and Later Tradition Later Scriptures rarely name Zilpah, yet her legacy endures through tribal blessings (Genesis 49:19-20; Deuteronomy 33:20-25) and territorial narratives (Joshua 19). Jewish tradition sometimes deems her one of the four matriarchs’ handmaids, while early Christian writers draw typological links between the twelve sons and the apostolic foundation of the Church, thereby including Zilpah indirectly in typological reflections on salvation history. Christological and Ecclesiological Significance Though Zilpah herself is not a direct ancestor of Messiah—Jesus descends through Judah—the presence of her sons among the tribes anticipates the inclusive reach of Christ’s redemption. Gad and Asher stand beside Judah at the eschatological sealing in Revelation 7, portraying a complete Israel under the Lamb’s protection. Zilpah’s account thus encourages the Church to recognize God’s gracious weaving of all believers, regardless of background, into His single covenant family. Forms and Transliterations זִלְפָּ֔ה זִלְפָּ֖ה זִלְפָּ֛ה זִלְפָּ֣ה זִלְפָּה֙ זלפה zil·pāh zilPah zilpāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 29:24 HEB: לָ֔הּ אֶת־ זִלְפָּ֖ה שִׁפְחָת֑וֹ לְלֵאָ֥ה NAS: his maid Zilpah to his daughter KJV: Leah Zilpah his maid INT: gave Laban Zilpah his maid Leah Genesis 30:9 Genesis 30:10 Genesis 30:12 Genesis 35:26 Genesis 37:2 Genesis 46:18 7 Occurrences |
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