Zilpah
Biblical matriarch and ancestress of Israelite tribes
Zilpah is a biblical matriarch mentioned in the Book of Genesis as a handmaiden and concubine of Jacob in the patriarchal narratives of ancient Israel. According to Genesis, Zilpah was given to Leah by her father Laban and later bore Jacob two sons: Gad and Asher. These sons became eponymous ancestors of two of the twelve tribes of Israel, making Zilpah an important ancestral figure in Hebrew and Judeo-Christian tradition. While biblical accounts provide limited personal details about Zilpah's life and character, her role in the genealogical structure of Israel gave her significant cultural and religious importance. In Jewish tradition, Zilpah is recognized as one of the matriarchs whose lineage contributed to the formation of the Israelite people. Her name, possibly meaning "dripping" or "trickling," appears throughout Jewish theological and historical texts, and she remains a figure of study in religious scholarship examining ancient Near Eastern family structures and women's roles.
Historical Figure
Hebrew
Thinking about the name
Zilpah
Hebrew origin
“Zilpah is a biblical name from Genesis, the handmaid of Leah who became a wife of Jacob and mother of two of his sons. The Hebrew root relates to 'dripping' or 'dropping,' and the name carries significant genealogical weight in Jewish and Christian tradition. It's an authentic biblical choice with real historical and religious depth, rarely used in modern times, making it a distinctive option for faith-connected families.”