Genesis 29:24

Laban gave—Zilpah, &c.— It appears to have been a very ancient custom, not only among the Hebrews, but with many other nations, and particularly the Greeks and Romans, in the marriages both of their sons and their daughters, especially the latter, for the parents to give with the bride or bridegroom a servant to abide in their power and property only, exempt from the husband or wife. Such was this Zilpah; such was Bilhah given to Rachel. The dramatic poets, both Greek and Latin, afford many instances. Thus Hagar was the exempt right of Sarah; and upon this right was founded the ejectment of her and her offspring, as being the property of her lady, and solely at her disposal. See Parker's Occasional Annot. 32.