feminine of צֵל; Tsillah, an antediluvian woman; Zillah.
Transliteration:Tsillâh
Pronunciation:tsil-law'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H6741}}` (Tsillâh) is a proper noun, specifically the name of an antediluvian woman. Its base definition indicates it is the feminine form of `{{H6738}}` (tzel), which means "shadow" or "shade." Therefore, the literal meaning of the name Tsillâh is "Shadow" or "Shade." As a personal name, its semantic range is primarily limited to the individual it designates, rather than a broader conceptual meaning. However, the etymological root "shadow" may carry symbolic or thematic weight within the biblical narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Tsillâh occurs three times in the Hebrew Bible, exclusively within the fourth chapter of Genesis, detailing the Cainite genealogy:
* **[[Genesis 4:19]]**: "And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah." Here, Zillah is introduced as the second wife of Lamech, a descendant of Cain, establishing her place within the lineage known for its worldly advancements and increasing sin.
* **[[Genesis 4:22]]**: "And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah." This verse identifies Zillah as the mother of Tubal-Cain, a significant figure in early human history credited with pioneering metallurgy, and also of Naamah, whose role is less defined but whose mention completes the immediate family unit.
* **[[Genesis 4:23]]**: "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 to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt." In this passage, Zillah is addressed directly by Lamech in his boastful and violent "Song of the Sword," which starkly contrasts the technological advancements of his children with the moral degradation of his line. Her presence here underscores her proximity to Lamech's depravity and the escalating sin within the Cainite lineage.
Contextually, Zillah is part of a lineage that develops significant aspects of human culture—pastoralism (Jabal), music (Jubal), and metallurgy (Tubal-Cain)—but does so outside the sphere of divine blessing, culminating in Lamech's violent hubris.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root noun `{{H6738}}` (tzel), "shadow." This term is frequently used in the Old Testament to denote:
* **Protection/Shelter**: As in the "shadow of God's wings" ([[Psalm 17:8]]) or the "shade of a tree" ([[Jonah 4:5]]).
* **Fleetingness/Transience**: Human life as a "shadow" that passes quickly ([[Job 14:2]], [[Psalm 144:4]]).
* **Obscurity/Darkness**: A place of concealment or gloom.
* **Figurative Representation**: A "shadow" of things to come (e.g., in the cultic rituals).
In the context of Zillah, the name "Shadow" may evoke the transient nature of human glory and technological achievement apart from God, or it could subtly allude to the impending judgment that would eventually "overshadow" the antediluvian world. Her name also stands in contrast to the burgeoning, tangible advancements of her offspring, suggesting a deeper, perhaps spiritual, reality of impermanence.
### Theological Significance
The name Tsillâh, meaning "Shadow," carries potent theological implications within the narrative of Genesis 4. As a member of the Cainite line, a lineage marked by increasing human autonomy, cultural development, and moral decay, her name may serve as a subtle commentary on the true nature of this worldly progress.
1. **Transience of Human Achievement**: Despite the impressive advancements in metallurgy by her son Tubal-Cain, the name "Shadow" hints at the ephemeral nature of all human endeavors when disconnected from divine purpose. The magnificent works of humanity, apart from God, are ultimately fleeting, like a shadow that passes.
2. **Foreshadowing Judgment**: The "shadow" could metaphorically represent the impending judgment of the flood, which would soon engulf this world built on human ingenuity but devoid of spiritual righteousness. Zillah, living in the "shadow" of Lamech's violence and the general corruption, might embody the world's state on the brink of divine reckoning.
3. **Contrast with Divine Presence**: In biblical theology, God is often depicted as a protective "shade" or "shadow" ([[Psalm 91:1]]). The name "Shadow" for a woman in a lineage that increasingly rejects God's presence and pursues self-sufficiency could highlight the emptiness or unfulfillment of a life lived outside the true divine "shade."
4. **Symbol of Obscurity**: While her sons achieve renown for their crafts, Zillah herself remains somewhat in the background, her name perhaps reflecting a certain obscurity or the less prominent role of women in this patriarchal genealogy, or even the spiritual darkness enveloping the Cainite line.
### Summary
`{{H6741}}` (Tsillâh) is a proper noun, the name of Lamech's second wife in the Cainite lineage, meaning "Shadow" or "Shade." She is significant as the mother of Tubal-Cain, the pioneer of metallurgy, and Naamah. Occurring exclusively in [[Genesis 4:19]], [[Genesis 4:22]], and [[Genesis 4:23]], her presence underscores the cultural advancements and moral decline of the antediluvian world. The theological significance of her name "Shadow" is profound, possibly symbolizing the transient nature of human achievements apart from God, foreshadowing the impending judgment of the flood, or contrasting with the protective "shadow" of God's presence. Zillah's name, therefore, subtly contributes to the narrative's commentary on humanity's trajectory outside of divine guidance.
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