Zilpah

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew Zilpâ (זִלְפָּה), meaning uncertain; recorded as a personal name in the Jacob narratives.
• Period/Era: Patriarchal Period
• Main References: Genesis 29:24; 30:9–13; 37:2; 46:18
• Key Connections: Servant of Leah; concubine-wife of Jacob; mother of Gad and Asher

Who was Zilpah?

Zilpah was Leah’s servant, given to her at marriage to Jacob in Paddan-aram.
Leah later gave Zilpah to Jacob as a wife when Leah stopped bearing children.
Zilpah bore Jacob two sons, Gad and Asher, who became tribes within Israel.

Key Events & Achievements

• Given to Leah: Presented by Laban as Leah’s servant at Leah’s marriage (Genesis 29:24).
• Given to Jacob as wife: Leah gave Zilpah to Jacob, and Zilpah bore Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:9–13).
• Counted in Jacob’s household: Listed among those who went to Egypt as part of Leah’s household through Zilpah’s descendants (Genesis 46:18).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Zilpah’s account highlights how family lines in the patriarchal narratives were shaped through household structures and births that formed Israel’s tribal ancestry.

Key Verse

"When Leah saw that she had ceased bearing children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife." — Genesis 30:9, ESV