"When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife. And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a son."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Zilpah Meaning in the Bible
Zilpah
girl
Zilpah means "Dripping; Fragrant drop; Myrrh", a girl's name of Hebrew origin. Zilpah appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 30:9-10 is the passage most often tied to it. Zilpah — a 'fragrant drop' — reminds us that God builds His kingdom from the humble and overlooked. Two tribes of Israel came from a handmaid, proving that divine purpose transcends human hierarchies.
Is Zilpah in the Bible?
Yes — Zilpah appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 30:9-10.
Pronunciation:/ZIL-puh/
OriginHebrew
MeaningDripping; Fragrant drop; Myrrh
What does Zilpah mean?
Zilpah is a girl name of Hebrew origin meaning "Dripping; Fragrant drop; Myrrh". Zilpah means "dripping" or "fragrant drop" in Hebrew, possibly referring to myrrh — a precious resin that drips from trees. She was Leah's handmaid whom Leah gave to Jacob as a wife when she temporarily stopped bearing children.
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What does Zilpah mean in the Bible?
Zilpah means "Dripping; Fragrant drop; Myrrh" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Zilpah means "dripping" or "fragrant drop" in Hebrew, possibly referring to myrrh — a precious resin that drips from trees. She was Leah's handmaid whom Leah gave to Jacob as a wife when she temporarily stopped bearing children.
Zilpah bore Jacob two sons: Gad ("good fortune") and Asher ("happy" or "blessed"). These two sons became heads of Israelite tribes, and their descendants played important roles in Israel's history. Asher's territory was particularly blessed — Moses prophesied that Asher would "dip his foot in oil" and that "as thy days, so shall thy strength be."
Zilpah's story reflects the complex family dynamics of Jacob's household. Like Hagar and Bilhah, she was a woman whose agency was limited by her social position, yet God honored her as a mother of Israel. Two of the twelve tribes trace their lineage to her.
The inclusion of Zilpah's sons among the twelve tribes demonstrates that God's covenant extends beyond social hierarchies — He builds His people from every station of life.
Where does Zilpah appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Zilpah is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 30:9-10. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son. And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher."
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Which books of the Bible mention Zilpah?
Zilpah is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Zilpah?
Zilpah — a 'fragrant drop' — reminds us that God builds His kingdom from the humble and overlooked. Two tribes of Israel came from a handmaid, proving that divine purpose transcends human hierarchies.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Zilpah:
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God Promises Contentment Through Him
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God Promises to Answer Prayer
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What names are related to Zilpah?
Names like Zilpah
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Dripping; Fragrant drop; Myrrh" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Zilpah
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
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Zilpah name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Zilpah appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 30:9-10.
Zilpah means "Dripping; Fragrant drop; Myrrh." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 30:9-10, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Zilpah comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Dripping; Fragrant drop; Myrrh." It appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 30:9-10.
Common questions about the name Zilpah
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Zilpah?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Zilpah?
You can read every verse where Zilpah appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.