Zilpah

Dates: 1727–1670 BC

Her name means "drooping." She is the handmaid of Leah and, as was customary, was given to Jacob as a concubine to bear more children. She became the mother of Gad and Asher.

In detail

A maidservant of [Laban] given to his daughter Leah when she married Jacob (Gen 29:24). Following the example of her sister Rachel, Leah gave Zilpah to her husband as a concubine to obtain more sons through her. Zilpah became the mother of Gad and of Asher (chs 30:3, 9—13 35:26 46:16—18).

Bible passages

Genesis 29:24
And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
Genesis 30:9-13
9 When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife. 10 And Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a son. 11 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad. …

Text of the King James Version.