Zillah
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Topical Encyclopedia
Zillah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis, specifically in the genealogical records of the descendants of Cain. She is noted as one of the two wives of Lamech, a descendant of Cain, and is part of the antediluvian (pre-Flood) narrative.

Biblical References:

Zillah is introduced in Genesis 4:19-23. The Berean Standard Bible states: "And Lamech took two wives, one named Adah and the other Zillah." This passage highlights the practice of polygamy in the early biblical narrative, as Lamech is the first recorded polygamist in the Bible.

Family and Descendants:

Zillah is the mother of two children, Tubal-cain and Naamah. Genesis 4:22 records: "And Zillah also gave birth to Tubal-cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah." Tubal-cain is noted for his skills in metallurgy, being a forger of tools made from bronze and iron, indicating the advancement of technology and craftsmanship among Cain's descendants. Naamah, although mentioned briefly, is significant in Jewish tradition and some extra-biblical texts, which sometimes expand on her account.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

Zillah's mention in the Bible, though brief, is part of a larger narrative that illustrates the development of human civilization and culture in the line of Cain. Her son Tubal-cain's role as a metalworker signifies the progression of human ingenuity and the diversification of skills and trades in early human history. This advancement, however, is juxtaposed with the moral decline seen in Lamech's boastful declaration of violence in Genesis 4:23-24, which reflects the increasing corruption and sinfulness that led to the judgment of the Flood.

Zillah's inclusion in the genealogy of Cain serves as a reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of sin that permeate the early chapters of Genesis. Her account, though not extensively detailed, contributes to the broader narrative of humanity's fall and the need for redemption, themes that are central to the biblical message.

Historical Context:

The account of Zillah and her family is set in the antediluvian period, a time characterized by rapid population growth and cultural development, as well as increasing moral decay. The genealogies in Genesis 4 and 5 provide a framework for understanding the early history of mankind from a biblical perspective, highlighting both the achievements and the failings of humanity.

Zillah's account, along with those of other early biblical figures, underscores the Bible's emphasis on the importance of family lineage and the transmission of skills and knowledge through generations. Her mention in the Scriptures, though brief, is part of the rich tapestry of biblical history that informs the understanding of God's interaction with humanity from creation to the present.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Zillah

shadow; the tingling of the ear

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Zillah

(shade). [LAMECH]

ATS Bible Dictionary
Zillah

Genesis 4:19. See LAMECHI.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Shadow, one of the wives of Lamech, of the line of Cain, and mother of Tubal-cain (Genesis 4:19, 22).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) A district or local division, as of a province.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ZILLAH

zil'-a (tsillah; Sella): One of Lamech's wives (Genesis 4:19, 22, 23). The name is perhaps connected with tsel, "shadow."

Strong's Hebrew
6741. Tsillah -- wife of Lamech
... 6740, 6741. Tsillah. 6742 . wife of Lamech. Transliteration: Tsillah Phonetic
Spelling: (tsil-law') Short Definition: Zillah. ... Zillah. ...
/hebrew/6741.htm - 6k
Library

Of the Two Fathers and Leaders who Sprang from one Progenitor.
... For we read, "Methusael begat Lamech. And Lamech took unto him two wives: the
name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 17 of the two fathers.htm

Cain's Family and their Inventions.
... And Lamech took unto him two wives, whose names were Adah and Zillah. At that
time there was made a beginning of polygamy, and also of music. ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxx cains family and their.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... And Lamech said unto his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; "Ye wives of Lamech,
hearken unto my speech: For I have slain a man for wounding me, and a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

Chapter iv
... 19. And Lamech took unto himself two wives; the name of the one was Adah, the name
of the other Zillah. ... Of these sons Adah bore two and Zillah one. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Thesaurus
Zillah (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ZILLAH. zil'-a (tsillah; Sella): One of Lamech's
wives (Genesis 4:19, 22, 23). ... Multi-Version Concordance Zillah (3 Occurrences) ...
/z/zillah.htm - 7k

Lamech (11 Occurrences)
... 4:18-24). His address to his two wives, Adah and Zillah (4:23, 24), is the
only extant example of antediluvian poetry. It has been ...
/l/lamech.htm - 12k

Naamah (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The beautiful. (1.) The daughter of Lamech and
Zillah (Genesis 4:22). (2.) The daughter of the king of ...
/n/naamah.htm - 10k

Adah (8 Occurrences)
... of tent-dwelling people, and Jubal the "father" of all such as handle the harp and
pipe." Josephus says that Lamech had 77 sons by Ada and Zillah (Ant., I, ii ...
/a/adah.htm - 10k

Tubalcain (1 Occurrence)
... The son of Lamech and Zillah, "an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron"
(Genesis 4:22; RV, "the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron ...
/t/tubalcain.htm - 8k

Tubal-cain (1 Occurrence)
... The son of Lamech and Zillah, "an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron"
(Genesis 4:22; RV, "the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron ...
/t/tubal-cain.htm - 8k

Wives (159 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 4:19 Lamech took two wives: the name
of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. ...
/w/wives.htm - 38k

Ziklag (13 Occurrences)

/z/ziklag.htm - 13k

Zillethai (2 Occurrences)

/z/zillethai.htm - 7k

Na'amah (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Na'amah (5 Occurrences). Genesis 4:22 Zillah also gave
birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron. ...
/n/na'amah.htm - 8k

Resources
Who was Tubal-Cain in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Zillah: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Zillah (3 Occurrences)

Genesis 4:19
Lamech took two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 4:22
Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron. Tubal Cain's sister was Naamah.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 4:23
Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Zillah

Zillah: Wife of Lamech

Related Terms

Lamech (11 Occurrences)

Naamah (5 Occurrences)

Adah (8 Occurrences)

Tubalcain (1 Occurrence)

Tubal-cain (1 Occurrence)

Wives (159 Occurrences)

Ziklag (13 Occurrences)

Zillethai (2 Occurrences)

Na'amah (5 Occurrences)

Lemech (9 Occurrences)

Wounding (24 Occurrences)

Instructor (6 Occurrences)

Implements (7 Occurrences)

Instructer (1 Occurrence)

Injuring (4 Occurrences)

Instruments (136 Occurrences)

Instrument (45 Occurrences)

Forged (3 Occurrences)

Forger (1 Occurrence)

Tubal-cain's (1 Occurrence)

Tubal (9 Occurrences)

Tool (13 Occurrences)

Bronze (146 Occurrences)

Bruising (5 Occurrences)

Cain's (3 Occurrences)

Artificer (13 Occurrences)

Tools (3 Occurrences)

Slain (235 Occurrences)

Sister (113 Occurrences)

Brass (168 Occurrences)

Kinds (110 Occurrences)

Bare (250 Occurrences)

Taketh (398 Occurrences)

Cutting (178 Occurrences)

Maker (55 Occurrences)

Speech (107 Occurrences)

Iron (104 Occurrences)

Bore (221 Occurrences)

Married (152 Occurrences)

Cain (18 Occurrences)

Listen (441 Occurrences)

Killed (352 Occurrences)

Women (328 Occurrences)

Birth (357 Occurrences)

Zikri
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