Lexical Summary Tsillah: Zillah Original Word: צִלָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Zillah Feminine of tsel; Tsillah, an antediluvian woman -- Zillah. see HEBREW tsel NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tsalal Definition wife of Lamech NASB Translation Zillah (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs צִלָּה proper name, feminine wife of Lam. Genesis 4:19,22,23, Σελλα. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences Genesis 4:19, Genesis 4:22, Genesis 4:23 Historical Background Zillah appears in the antediluvian genealogy of Cain. Her husband, Lamech, is the first bigamist named in Scripture, introducing a social departure from the monogamous pattern established with Adam and Eve. Zillah shares the narrative with Lamech’s other wife, Adah. Together these two women illustrate how, even in humanity’s early generations, family structures were already diverging from God’s original design. Family Networks Zillah’s son, Tubal-cain, “forged every kind of tool out of bronze and iron” (Genesis 4:22). Metalworking, a foundational human technology, is thus traced to the line of Cain through Zillah. Her daughter, Naamah, is also named, an unusual honor for an antediluvian woman and a hint that her life left a memorable legacy. By contrast, Adah’s sons Jabal and Jubal pioneered pastoral life and music. The genealogy presents a complete cultural tableau—livestock management, the arts, and metallurgy—arising within one extended household. Cultural and Technological Contributions Tubal-cain’s craft marks a leap forward in human innovation. Bronze and iron lay the groundwork for tools, weapons, and agriculture. Through Zillah’s offspring the reader sees that dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:28) continues, even in a fallen lineage. Human creativity, though marred by sin, still reflects the Creator’s image. Moral and Theological Themes 1. Shadow and light. Zillah’s name means “shade” or “shadow.” Her account stands in the shadow of Cain’s violence and Lamech’s boast, yet God’s providence still brings cultural advancement through her children. Ministry Applications • Affirm God’s sovereignty over history. Zillah’s brief appearance shows that no individual is too minor for the Lord’s purposes. Summary Zillah, though mentioned only three times, stands at the crossroads of early human society. Her marriage records the rise of polygamy; her children advance culture; her husband’s boast exposes escalating violence. In the tension between shadow and light, her legacy calls believers to honor God’s design for family, recognize His common grace in human ingenuity, and live faithfully amid a world still marked by the line of Cain. Forms and Transliterations וְצִלָּ֣ה וְצִלָּה֙ וצלה צִלָּֽה׃ צלה׃ ṣil·lāh ṣillāh tzilLah vetzilLah wə·ṣil·lāh wəṣillāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 4:19 HEB: וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית צִלָּֽה׃ NAS: and the name of the other, Zillah. KJV: and the name of the other Zillah. INT: and the name of the other Zillah Genesis 4:22 Genesis 4:23 3 Occurrences |
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