“These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.”
This verse is part of the genealogical account of Jacob’s family as they journeyed to Egypt. In this particular verse, the focus is on the sons of Zilpah, who was one of Jacob’s wives.
To understand the context of this verse, we need to look back to Genesis 30. Zilpah was the maidservant of Leah, Jacob’s first wife. When Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife, was unable to conceive children, she gave her maidservant, Bilhah, to Jacob as a wife, and she bore him two sons. Following this, Leah also gave her maidservant, Zilpah, to Jacob, and she bore him two sons as well. The four sons born to Jacob through his wives’ maidservants were considered part of his family.
In Genesis 46:18, it mentions that Zilpah’s sons were born to Leah, indicating that the sons born to Zilpah were considered part of Leah’s children. This is because Zilpah was given to Leah by her father, Laban, and the sons born to Zilpah were regarded as Leah’s own offspring. The verse further specifies that there were sixteen souls from Zilpah’s lineage who traveled with Jacob to Egypt.
This verse emphasizes the inclusion of Zilpah’s sons in the genealogical account of Jacob’s family. It highlights the importance of acknowledging the contributions and lineage of all members of the family, including those born to maidservants. It also demonstrates the fulfillment of God’s promise to multiply Jacob’s descendants, as these sons, along with the other sons of Jacob, would become the twelve tribes of Israel.
In summary, Genesis 46:18 provides us with a glimpse into the genealogy of Jacob’s family, specifically focusing on the sons of Zilpah, who was given to Leah. The verse emphasizes the inclusion of these sons as part of Jacob’s family and their journey to Egypt. It reminds us of the significance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of all members within a family.
