Genesis 46:18 (KJV)

What does Genesis 46:18 mean?

Genesis 46:18 lists the sons born to Jacob through Zilpah, who was given to Leah by her father Laban, and states that there were sixteen people in total from this branch of the family. This verse is part of a genealogy, showing the family members who went with Jacob to Egypt.

In the context of Genesis 46, the passage is recounting the descendants of Jacob as they prepare to move to Egypt during the famine. The verse specifically highlights Zilpah’s role as Leah’s maid and the mother of several of Jacob’s children, emphasizing the extended family structure and the importance of each branch in the larger story of Israel’s tribes.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 46:18

• זִלְפָּה (Zilpah, transliteration: zilpah): Zilpah is named as Leah’s maid, given to her by Laban. Her inclusion underlines the complex family relationships in Jacob’s household.
• לָבָן (Laban, transliteration: lavan): Laban is Leah’s father, and his giving of Zilpah to Leah shows the customs of the time regarding servants and family inheritance.
• נָתַן (gave, transliteration: natan): This verb highlights that Zilpah was not Jacob’s wife by direct choice, but was given as a servant-wife, which shaped the family’s structure.
• שֵׁשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה (sixteen, transliteration: shesh esreh): The phrase for “sixteen” clarifies the total count of people descended from Zilpah, including sons and possibly grandchildren, not just direct sons.

Why Genesis 46:18 matters

• Genesis 46:18 clarifies that Jacob’s family included not only his wives’ children but also those born through their servants, reflecting the broader household structure typical in ancient times.
• The verse helps readers track the origins of some of the tribes of Israel, since the descendants of Zilpah became important tribal groups.
• By naming Laban and the act of giving Zilpah to Leah, the verse ties the story back to earlier family dynamics and the ongoing influence of previous generations on Jacob’s family.