Who was Zilpah?

Handmaid and mother to Gad and Asher.

The story of Zilpah

Zilpah - handmaid
Zilpah - handmaid
handmaid

Zilpah was a Biblical figure, a handmaid of Leah, the wife of Jacob. She was given to Leah by Jacob as a gift, and she bore him two sons, Gad and Asher. Zilpah was the daughter of a priest of Midian, and her mother's name is not known. She was the sister of Bilhah, who was also a handmaid of Leah. Zilpah is best known for being the mother of two of Jacob's sons, Gad and Asher. She is also known for her loyalty to Leah, her mistress. She was a faithful servant to Leah, and she was willing to bear children for her. Zilpah is an important figure in the Bible, as she was the mother of two of Jacob's sons. She is a symbol of loyalty and faithfulness, and her story is an example of how God can use even the most unlikely of people to fulfill His plans.

Name meaning

The name "Zilpah" is of Hebrew origin, and it appears in the Bible. Zilpah is a minor figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis, where she is one of the two maidservants given to Jacob by his wives, Leah and Rachel. Specifically, Zilpah is Leah's handmaid, and she becomes a concubine to Jacob, with whom she has two sons, Gad and Asher. These sons are considered two of the twelve tribes of Israel. The exact meaning of the name "Zilpah" is not definitively established, but it is often interpreted as meaning "frailty" or "drooping" in Hebrew. As with many ancient names, the meanings can be speculative, and interpretations may vary.

Name origin

Hebrew

Role

handmaid

First mention

Genesis 29:24

Appearances in the Bible

7 mentions

Zilpah in the Bible

Explore all 5 chapters where Zilpah appears

Genesis

Chapter 29

Jacob Meets Rachel

Jacob works for seven years to marry Leah, but is deceived by her father Laban and marries Rachel as well. He works for ...

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Genesis

Chapter 30

The Birth of Jacob's Children

Jacob becomes very wealthy with large flocks and many children.

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Genesis

Chapter 35

Jacob's Return to Bethel

God tells Jacob to move to Bethel and to get rid of foreign gods. Jacob renames the place Bethel and builds an altar to ...

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Genesis

Chapter 37

Joseph's Dreams and His Brothers' Jealousy

Joseph, one of Jacob's son, is favored by his father and his brothers become jealous. They sell him into slavery in Egyp...

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Genesis

Chapter 46

Jacob and His Family Move to Egypt

Jacob and his family move to Egypt and settle in the land of Goshen.

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