Genesis 29:24

And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid [for] an handmaid.

And Laban {H3837} gave {H5414} unto his daughter {H1323} Leah {H3812} Zilpah {H2153} his maid {H8198} for an handmaid {H8198}.

Lavan also gave his slave-girl Zilpah to his daughter Le'ah as her slave-girl.

And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant.

And Laban gave Zilpah his handmaid unto his daughter Leah for a handmaid.

Commentary

Genesis 29:24 provides a specific detail within the complex narrative of Jacob's marriages to Leah and Rachel. This verse notes that Laban, Leah's father, gave Zilpah, his maid, to Leah as her personal handmaid. This was a customary practice in ancient Near Eastern societies, where a bride would often receive a servant as part of her dowry or as a provision for her new household.

Context of Genesis 29:24

This verse immediately follows the description of Jacob's marriage to Leah, a union that resulted from Laban's deception. Jacob had intended to marry Rachel, for whom he had worked seven years (Genesis 29:20). However, Laban substituted Leah on the wedding night (Genesis 29:23). The giving of Zilpah to Leah was a standard part of such a patriarchal marriage arrangement, ensuring the bride had assistance and signifying her status within her new home. This custom is also evident with Rachel, who later receives her own handmaid, Bilhah (Genesis 29:29).

Key Themes and Insights

  • Ancient Marriage Customs: The provision of a handmaid (Hebrew: amah, ืึธืžึธื”) was a common practice in the ancient world. Such a servant would assist the mistress with household duties and personal care, reflecting the social norms of the time.
  • Laban's Provision: Despite Laban's overall cunning and manipulative character, this act of giving Zilpah to Leah was a customary and expected part of the marriage agreement. It fulfilled a societal expectation regarding the bride's provisions.
  • Foundation for Future Generations: Although seemingly a minor detail, the inclusion of Zilpah in Leah's household has significant implications for the unfolding biblical narrative. Zilpah, alongside Bilhah, would later bear children for Jacob, contributing to the lineage of the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 30:9-12). This highlights how God works through human customs and complex family dynamics to fulfill His divine purposes.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew term for "maid" or "handmaid" is amah (ืึธืžึธื”). This word typically refers to a female slave or servant. In the context of marriage, an amah was often a personal attendant to the wife, sometimes given as part of a dowry. These handmaids played crucial roles in the household, and, as seen in the patriarchal narratives, could even serve as surrogate mothers for barren wives, thereby ensuring the continuation of the family line and the inheritance.

Practical Application

While the specific custom of giving a handmaid is no longer relevant today, this verse offers a valuable glimpse into the historical and cultural context of the patriarchal period. It reminds us that God's plan unfolds within the realities of human society, utilizing existing customs and even challenging family situations to bring about His will. For the reader, it emphasizes the importance of every detail in Scripture, as even seemingly small elements like the provision of a handmaid can have profound implications for the larger narrative of God's covenant and the formation of His people.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 16:1 (4 votes)

    ยถ Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name [was] Hagar.

  • Genesis 30:9 (4 votes)

    When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.

  • Genesis 30:12 (4 votes)

    And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son.

  • Genesis 46:18 (3 votes)

    These [are] the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, [even] sixteen souls.

  • Genesis 24:59 (2 votes)

    And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.