Old Testament
Genesis 46:18
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In Genesis 46:18, we learn about the descendants of Zilpah, who was a servant given to Leah by her father Laban.
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Written
- Around 1400 BC
- Genre
- Law (Pentateuch)
- Original Audience
- The Israelites in the wilderness
These were the descendants of Zilpah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Leah. She bore these children to Jacob—sixteen souls in all.
These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In Genesis 46:18, we learn about the descendants of Zilpah, who was a servant given to Leah by her father Laban. Zilpah bore Jacob a total of sixteen children, which highlights the complexity of family dynamics in Jacob's life. This verse emphasizes the importance of lineage and the role of women in the family structure of the time. Zilpah's children were part of the larger narrative of Jacob's family, which included his two wives, Leah and Rachel, and their maidservants. The mention of 'sixteen souls' signifies not just the number of children but also the growing family that would eventually form the tribes of Israel. This verse serves as a reminder of how God worked through various people and circumstances to fulfill His promises to Jacob and his descendants, showing that every individual, regardless of their status, plays a role in God's plan. Explore related genealogy.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Genesis 46:18 to your life
This verse encourages us to recognize the value of every person in our families and communities, regardless of their background or status. It reminds us that everyone has a role to play in the larger story of life, and we should appreciate the contributions of all individuals, just as Jacob valued his children from Zilpah.
Curated for this public verse page. Genesis Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Genesis 46:18 mean?
Genesis 46:18 refers to the descendants of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant, who bore Jacob a total of sixteen children. This verse highlights the significance of family lineage and the role of women in Jacob's life, showing how each individual contributes to the larger narrative of the tribes of Israel.
What is the significance of Zilpah in Genesis 46:18?
Zilpah, as Leah's maidservant, represents the complexities of family dynamics in Jacob's story. Her role in bearing sixteen children for Jacob emphasizes the importance of all family members, regardless of their status, in the unfolding of God's plan.
What does 'sixteen souls' mean in Genesis 46:18?
The term 'sixteen souls' in Genesis 46:18 signifies the total number of children Zilpah had with Jacob. It reflects the growing family that would eventually lead to the formation of the tribes of Israel, illustrating the expansion of Jacob's lineage.
How does Genesis 46:18 relate to the tribes of Israel?
Genesis 46:18 connects to the tribes of Israel by detailing the descendants of Zilpah, who contributed to Jacob's large family. Each child born to Jacob, including those from Zilpah, played a role in establishing the future tribes of Israel.
The Book of Genesis
Genesis 1: Creation
God creates the heaven and the earth, and the earth is without form and void, covered in darkness as His Spirit moves upon the waters. He speaks light into existence, separates it from darkness, and names them Day and Night. He divides the waters with a firmament called Heaven, gathers the lower waters to reveal dry land called Earth, and commands the earth to bring forth grass, herbs, and fruit trees yielding seed after their kind. He sets the sun, moon, and stars in the firmament to divide day from night, to give light, and to mark seasons, days, and years. He fills the waters with living creatures and the air with fowl, blessing them to multiply, then creates cattle, creeping things, and beasts of the earth. Finally, He creates man in His own image, male and female, gives them dominion over all living things, and appoints every herb and tree for food, and He sees that all He has made is very good.
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