Genesis 46:18
These are the sons of Jacob born to Zilpah--whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah--sixteen in all.
These are the sons of Jacob born to Zilpah—
Zilpah was Leah's maidservant, given to Jacob as a wife by Leah. This reflects the cultural practices of the time, where maidservants could be given as secondary wives to bear children on behalf of the primary wife. The sons born to Zilpah were Gad and Asher, and their descendants are included in the tribes of Israel. This highlights the importance of lineage and the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to make him a great nation.

whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah—
Laban, Leah's father, was a key figure in Jacob's life, having deceived Jacob into marrying Leah before Rachel. The giving of Zilpah to Leah as a maidservant was part of the dowry or bridal gift, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures. This act set the stage for the complex family dynamics that would follow, including the competition between Leah and Rachel for Jacob's affection and the bearing of children.

sixteen in all.
This number includes the sons and grandsons of Zilpah, emphasizing the growth of Jacob's family. The mention of "sixteen in all" underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to multiply Jacob's descendants. It also reflects the broader theme of God's providence and faithfulness in building the nation of Israel through Jacob's lineage. The inclusion of all family members, regardless of their mother's status, points to the unity and diversity within the people of Israel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Zilpah
A maidservant given to Leah by her father Laban. She became one of Jacob's wives and bore him sons.

2. Laban
Leah's father, who gave Zilpah to Leah as a maidservant. He is a significant figure in Jacob's life, known for his dealings with Jacob.

3. Leah
The first wife of Jacob, to whom Zilpah was given as a maidservant. Leah bore Jacob several sons.

4. Jacob
The patriarch of the Israelite tribes, who had children with multiple wives, including Zilpah.

5. Sixteen Sons
The total number of sons born to Jacob through Zilpah, as part of the larger family of Jacob.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Family Dynamics
Despite human manipulation and complex family dynamics, God's plan for the nation of Israel unfolds through Jacob's family.

The Role of Servants in God's Plan
Zilpah, though a maidservant, plays a crucial role in the lineage of Israel, showing that God uses all people, regardless of status, in His divine plan.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Jacob's life, including his relationships with Leah and Zilpah, demonstrates the importance of faithfulness and trust in God's promises, even when circumstances are challenging.

Legacy and Heritage
The mention of Zilpah's sons emphasizes the importance of understanding one's heritage and the impact of family lineage in God's overarching account.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the inclusion of Zilpah's sons in the lineage of Jacob demonstrate God's use of all individuals in His plan?

2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in the complex family dynamics of Jacob's household?

3. How does the account of Zilpah and her sons encourage us to view our own roles and contributions in God's kingdom?

4. What lessons can we learn from Jacob's family about dealing with adversity and trusting in God's promises?

5. How can understanding the heritage and lineage of biblical figures like Jacob's sons impact our view of our own spiritual heritage?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 29-30
These chapters provide the background of Jacob's marriages to Leah and Rachel, and the role of their maidservants, Zilpah and Bilhah, in bearing children for Jacob.

Genesis 35:23-26
Lists the sons of Jacob, including those born to Zilpah, providing a broader context of Jacob's family.

Exodus 1:1-5
Describes the descendants of Jacob who went to Egypt, highlighting the fulfillment of God's promise to make Jacob's descendants a great nation.
The Beginning of the NationR.A. Redford Genesis 46:8-27
The Catalogue of the Children of IsraelT. H. Leale.Genesis 46:8-27
People
Aram, Ard, Areli, Arodi, Asenath, Ashbel, Asher, Becher, Bela, Belah, Benjamin, Beriah, Bilhah, Canaanitish, Carmi, Dan, Dinah, Egyptians, Ehi, Elon, Enoch, Er, Eri, Ezbon, Gad, Gera, Gershon, Guni, Haggai, Haggi, Hamul, Hanoch, Heber, Hezron, Huppim, Hushim, Imnah, Isaac, Ishuah, Issachar, Isui, Jachin, Jacob, Jahleel, Jahzeel, Jahziel, Jamin, Jashub, Jemuel, Jezer, Jimnah, Job, Joseph, Kohath, Laban, Leah, Levi, Malchiel, Manasseh, Merari, Muppim, Naaman, Naphtali, Ohad, Onan, Pallu, Perez, Phallu, Pharaoh, Pharez, Phuvah, Potipherah, Puah, Rachel, Reuben, Rosh, Sarah, Saul, Serah, Sered, Shaul, Shelah, Shillem, Shimron, Shuni, Simeon, Tola, Zarah, Zebulun, Zephon, Zerah, Zilpah, Ziphion, Zohar
Places
Beersheba, Canaan, Egypt, Goshen, On, Paddan-aram
Topics
Bare, Beareth, Bore, Daughter, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Persons, Sixteen, Sons, Souls, Zilpah
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 46:8-27

     7230   genealogies

Library
Estimate of the Scope and Value of Jerome's Writings.
General. The writings of Jerome must be estimated not merely by their intrinsic merits, but by his historical position and influence. It has already been pointed out that he stands at the close of the old Græco-Roman civilisation: the last Roman poet of any repute, Claudian, and the last Roman historian, Ammianus Marcellinus, died before him. Augustin survived him, but the other great Fathers, both in the East and in the West, had passed away before him. The sack of Rome by Alaric (410) and
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Four Shaping Centuries
'Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt: every man and his household came with Jacob. 2. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3. Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4. Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5. And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. 6. And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. 7, And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Faith of Moses.
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to be evil entreated with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. By faith he forsook
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

But in Order that we Fall not Away from Continence...
10. But in order that we fall not away from Continence, we ought to watch specially against those snares of the suggestions of the devil, that we presume not of our own strength. For, "Cursed is every one that setteth his hope in man." [1838] And who is he, but man? We cannot therefore truly say that he setteth not his hope in man, who setteth it in himself. For this also, to "live after man," what is it but to "live after the flesh?" Whoso therefore is tempted by such a suggestion, let him hear,
St. Augustine—On Continence

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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