Interesting Facts

• According to the Book of Jasher, Zillah was one of the two daughters of Cainan [19, Jasher 2:15-16].
• The Book of Jasher records that Zillah became the wife of Lamech, the son of Methusael from the lineage of Cain [23, 24, Genesis 4:19, Jasher 2:17a].
• Initially, the Book of Jasher states that Zillah was barren in the days when her sister Adah bore Jabal and Jubal [24, Jasher 2:18].
• However, the Book of Jasher later recounts that Zillah eventually conceived in her old age and bore Tubal Cain, who is described as “an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron” [42, Genesis 4:22a, Jasher 2:23-24].
• Zillah also bore a daughter named Naamah [42, 43, Genesis 4:22b, Jasher 2:25].
• Along with her sister Adah, Zillah was addressed by Lamech regarding his accidental slaying of Cain and his son Tubal Cain [44, Genesis 4:23-24, Jasher 2:34-35].
• The Book of Jasher states that Zillah, upon hearing of Lamech’s deeds, sought to kill him and separated from him along with Adah [45, Jasher 2:32-33].
• According to the Book of Jasher, Zillah, together with Adah, returned to Lamech following the counsel of their father, Adam [45, Jasher 2:36].
• The Book of Jasher indicates that after returning to Lamech, Zillah bore no more children, knowing of God’s increasing anger and the impending flood [45, Jasher 2:36].
• The birth of Tubal Cain to Zillah is said to have occurred “in the end of days and years, when Zillah became old” [42, Jasher 2:23].

Genealogy

• Zillah’s father was Cainan, the son of Enosh and grandson of Seth [19, Jasher 2:15-16]. Her ancestry extends back to Adam and Eve [1, Genesis 4:1, Jasher 1:12b-13a, Jubilees 3:34, 4:1a, 7b].
• Her mother is not identified within the provided sources.
• She had at least one sister, Adah, and three brothers, Mahlallel, Enan, and Mered [19, Jasher 2:15-16].
• Zillah became the wife of Lamech, who was the son of Methusael and a descendant of Cain [23, 24, Genesis 4:19, Jasher 2:17a].
• Zillah bore two children to Lamech: Tubal Cain and Naamah [42, 43, Genesis 4:22a-b, Jasher 2:23-25].

Historical Context

Zillah lived during a period marked by a significant division and increasing moral decay amongst the descendants of Cain, separate from the lineage of Seth. The practice of polygamy had begun, as Lamech took both Zillah and her sister Adah as wives [23, Genesis 4:19]. The Book of Jasher highlights a growing disregard for God’s commands, including those concerning procreation, with some men intentionally causing their wives to be barren [25, Jasher 2:19-22]. Zillah herself is initially described as barren [24, Jasher 2:18], a condition that changed later in her life. The lineage of Cain was also marked by advancements in certain skills, as seen in her son Tubal Cain’s expertise in working with brass and iron [42, Genesis 4:22a]. The accidental killing of Cain by Lamech [43, Jasher 2:26-31] and Lamech’s subsequent lament to his wives [44, Genesis 4:23-24, Jasher 2:34-35] reflect a time of increasing violence and unintended consequences. Zillah’s father, Cainan, was known for his wisdom and knowledge of a future destruction [43, Jasher 2:11b-14], which may have influenced Zillah’s later decision to cease childbearing [45, Jasher 2:36].

Narrative

Zillah’s story, as presented in the sources, is intertwined with her role as one of Lamech’s two wives. Initially, she is contrasted with her sister Adah by being barren while Adah bore two sons who made significant cultural contributions [24, Genesis 4:20-21, Jasher 2:17b-18]. However, Zillah’s narrative takes a significant turn with the birth of her own children in her old age: Tubal Cain, a skilled artisan, and Naamah [42, 43, Genesis 4:22a-b, Jasher 2:23-25]. A crucial episode in Zillah’s story involves the accidental killing of Cain and Tubal Cain by Lamech. Upon hearing of this, Zillah, along with Adah, reacted with strong disapproval, seeking to kill Lamech and separating themselves from him [45, Jasher 2:32-33]. This demonstrates a sense of justice and a rejection of violence. Their subsequent return to Lamech, guided by the counsel of Adam [45, Jasher 2:36], highlights the importance of ancestral guidance in their society. Following this event, Zillah chose not to bear further children due to the awareness of God’s growing wrath and the impending deluge [45, Jasher 2:36], indicating a deep understanding of the perilous times in which she lived. Zillah’s narrative thus portrays a woman who experiences both barrenness and late-life motherhood, and who reacts strongly to violence, ultimately being guided by tradition and a sense of divine judgment.