צִלָּה
Tsillah, an antediluvian woman
Definition
Tsillah is a proper name given to one of the two wives of Lamech, a descendant of Cain, in the antediluvian genealogy (Genesis 4:19). She is the mother of Tubal-cain, the forger of bronze and iron tools, and of his sister Naamah (Genesis 4:22). As a named figure in the early Genesis narrative, she represents a point of cultural development and family lineage in the line of Cain, prior to the Flood. Her mention, alongside her co-wife Adah, provides a snapshot of early human society and family structure.
Biblical Usage
The name Tsillah is used exclusively in Genesis 4, appearing three times within the account of Lamech's family (Genesis 4:19, 4:22, 4:23). It functions solely as a proper noun identifying this specific individual. The usage is genealogical and narrative, placing her within the lineage and deeds of Cain's descendants.
Etymology
The name Tsillah (צִלָּה) is the feminine form of the Hebrew noun צֵל (tsēl, H6738), meaning 'shadow' or 'shade'. As a proper name, it likely carried a poetic or descriptive sense, possibly connoting 'protection' or 'shelter', as a shadow provides relief. It is derived from the same root as words for shade or shadow.
Semantic Range
While Tsillah herself is not a major theological figure, her inclusion is significant. She is part of the detailed genealogy in Genesis 4 that contrasts the developing, often violent culture of Cain's line with the godly line of Seth introduced in Genesis 5. Her son, Tubal-cain, exemplifies the rapid advancement of human technology and culture apart from God. Her mention underscores the biblical theme of recording real people in real history, even within these ancient narratives, and highlights the complexity of early human families, including the practice of polygamy by Lamech.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, names were often meaningful and descriptive. Tsillah's name, meaning 'shadow', may have been chosen to signify a desired attribute like protection or comfort. Her role as one of two wives of Lamech reflects a polygamous marital structure documented in the early biblical period. As the mother of the first recorded metalworker, she is connected to a pivotal moment in the cultural and technological history of humanity as presented in Scripture.
Adah (H5711) — The other wife of Lamech, mentioned alongside Tsillah in the same narrative (Genesis 4:19-23).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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