### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Tsillâh**, represented by `{{H6741}}`, identifies **Zillah**, an antediluvian woman. According to its base definition, the name is the feminine of צֵל. It appears **3 times** across **3 unique verses** in the Bible, exclusively within the early genealogies of Genesis.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, **Zillah** is introduced as the **other** `{{H8145}}` of the **two** `{{H8147}}` **wives** `{{H802}}` taken by **Lamech** `{{H3929}}` [[Genesis 4:19]]. She is the mother of **Tubalcain** `{{H8423}}`, an **instructer** `{{H3913}}` of metalworkers, and his **sister** `{{H269}}`, **Naamah** `{{H5279}}` [[Genesis 4:22]]. **Zillah** is also addressed directly by her husband Lamech when he confesses to having **slain** `{{H2026}}` a **man** `{{H376}}` for wounding him, commanding her and Adah to **hear** `{{H8085}}` his **voice** `{{H6963}}` and **hearken** `{{H238}}` to his **speech** `{{H565}}` [[Genesis 4:23]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words are central to the context of **Zillah's** life:
* `{{H802}}` **ʼishshâh** (wife): This term defines Zillah's primary role in the text as one of the **two** `{{H8147}}` **wives** of Lamech [[Genesis 4:19]].
* `{{H3205}}` **yâlad** (to bear young): This verb describes her maternal function, as she **bare** `{{H3205}}` Tubalcain and Naamah, thus continuing the lineage [[Genesis 4:22]].
* `{{H3913}}` **lâṭash** (instructer, sharpen): This describes the unique skill of her son, Tubalcain, who was an **instructer** of every **artificer** `{{H2794}}` in **brass** `{{H5178}}` and **iron** `{{H1270}}` [[Genesis 4:22]].
* `{{H2026}}` **hârag** (to slay): This word marks the violent confession of Zillah's husband, Lamech, who declared to his wives that he had **slain** `{{H2026}}` a man [[Genesis 4:23]].
### Theological Significance
The brief account of **Zillah** carries significant thematic weight in the early history of humanity.
* **Maternal Line of Innovation:** As the mother of **Tubalcain** `{{H8423}}`, **Zillah** is the matriarch of a lineage that pioneers key technologies, specifically as an **instructer** `{{H3913}}` of craftsmanship in **brass** `{{H5178}}` and **iron** `{{H1270}}` [[Genesis 4:22]].
* **Witness to Antediluvian Violence:** She is a direct audience to Lamech's declaration of having killed a **man** `{{H376}}` for his **wounding** `{{H6482}}` and a **young man** `{{H3206}}` for his **hurt** `{{H2250}}`, positioning her at a pivotal moment of escalating violence in the line of Cain [[Genesis 4:23]].
* **Polygamy in Cain's Line:** Her marriage to **Lamech** `{{H3929}}` alongside **Adah** `{{H5711}}` represents the first recorded instance of a man taking **two** `{{H8147}}` **wives** `{{H802}}` in the biblical narrative [[Genesis 4:19]].
### Summary
In summary, **Zillah** `{{H6741}}` is a foundational female figure in the antediluvian world. Though she is given no dialogue, her identity as the second **wife** `{{H802}}` of **Lamech** `{{H3929}}` and the mother of **Tubalcain** `{{H8423}}` and **Naamah** `{{H5279}}` places her at the center of a narrative that chronicles both technological advancement and a deepening of human sin before the flood.
TRV