Who was Zillah in the Bible?

Zillah was one of the two wives of Lamech, a descendant of Cain. She is noted as the mother of Tubal-Cain, the first metalworker, and a daughter named Naamah (Genesis 4:19,22).

Why is Zillah significant in the Bible?

Zillah's significance comes primarily through her son, Tubal-Cain, who is credited as the first person to forge tools from bronze and iron (Genesis 4:22). Her family line represents the development of human culture and technology outside the godly line of Seth.

What do we know about Zillah's life and family?

The Bible records that Zillah was married to Lamech, who also had another wife named Adah. Her children were Tubal-Cain, a skilled craftsman, and Naamah, though no further details about Naamah are given (Genesis 4:19-23).

Zillah

Old TestamentFemaleWifeMother

Zillah, one of Lamech's two wives, was the mother of Tubal-Cain, the first metalworker, and Naamah (Gen.4.19,22,23).

Zillah

Biography

Zillah was one of the two wives of Lamech, the descendant of Cain, and is one of the earliest named women in the biblical record (Genesis 4:19). Together with Adah, Zillah appears in the turbulent narrative of Cain's lineage, a genealogy marked by the expansion of human civilization alongside growing moral corruption. Zillah bore two notable children: Tubal-Cain, described as the forger of cutting instruments from bronze and iron, a figure credited with founding metalworking, and Naamah, whose name means "pleasant" and who is the only daughter mentioned in this genealogy. Zillah is also addressed directly in Lamech's boastful and violent song in Genesis 4:23, making her a witness to her husband's arrogant proclamation of vengeance.

Significance

Zillah's place in Genesis 4 situates her at a pivotal moment in the unfolding of human civilization and its corruption. Her son Tubal-Cain's metallurgical skill represents the double-edged advance of human culture: the same knowledge that produces tools for agriculture can forge weapons of war. Lamech's address to Zillah in his sword-song implicates her as a witness to hubris that exceeds even Cain's. Her story invites reflection on how human giftedness, when severed from God, tends toward violence and self-assertion. Yet even within the cursed line of Cain, God's patience and common grace sustain human life and culture.

Verse Appearances (3)

Genesis

Genesis 4:19 Genesis 4:22 Genesis 4:23

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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