Zilpah

זִלְפָּה/ZIL-pah/

“Dripping or a trickling”

Summary

The handmaid of Leah who became a concubine of Jacob and bore him two sons, Gad and Asher.

☩Given to Jacob

Zilpah was given to Leah as her handmaid by her father Laban. When Leah believed she had ceased bearing children, she gave Zilpah to Jacob as a concubine, following the custom of the time whereby a wife could have children through her servant.

Key verses:Genesis 29:24Genesis 30:9

☩Mother of Two Tribes

Zilpah bore Jacob two sons: Gad and Asher, who became the founders of two of Israel's twelve tribes. At Gad's birth, Leah exclaimed 'Good fortune has come!' and at Asher's birth she said 'Happy am I!'

Key verses:Genesis 30:10-13Genesis 35:26

Related Verses7 mentions

Genesis· 7 verses

29:24 30:9 30:10 30:12 35:26

References

1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Zilpah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
2.James Orr (ed.), "Zilpah," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).