Lexical Definition
זֶרַח Zerach (zeh'-rakh) Zerah N:N-M-P
the same as זֶרַח
Zarah, Zerah.
- § Zerah or Zarah = "rising"
- Zerach, the name of three Israelites, also of an Idumaean and an Ethiopian prince
1) a son of Reuel and grandson of Esau, one of the dukes of the Edomites
2) twin brother of Pharez, sons of Judah and Tamar; descendants are called Zarhites, Ezrahites, and Izrahites
3) son of Simeon; also called 'Zohar'
4) a Gershonite Levite, son of Iddo of Adaiah
5) the Ethiopian or Cushite, invader of Judah in the reign of Asa who defeated the invaders; probably the same as the Egyptian king Usarken I, second king of the Egyptian 22nd dynasty or perhaps more probably Usarken II, his 2nd successor
6) another Edomite leader; possibly same as 1
See Greek: Ζαρά
Extended Information
- A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.38.30
- son of: Judah (יְהוּדָה) and Tamar (תָּמָר)
- brother of: Perez (פֶּרֶץ)
- half-brother of: Er (עֵר), Onan (אוֹנָן) and Shelah (שֵׁלָה)
- father of: Zabdi (זַבְדִּי), Ethan (אֵיתָן), Heman (הֵימָן), Calcol (כַּלְכֹּל) and Dara (דָּרַע); also called Izrahite at 1Ch.27.8
Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. זֶ֫רַח proper name, masculine (on form compare LgBN 77, and Anm.) —
1. ᵐ5 Ζαρα, son of Judah and Tamar Gen 38:30; Gen 46:12 (both J), 1Chr 2:4 (all זָ֑רַח), v1Chr 2:6 as head of a family Num 26:20; Josh 7:1 (both Psalms), vJosh 7:18 vJosh 7:24 (JE), Josh 22:20 (P) 1Chr 9:6 (ᵐ5L Ζηρα), Neh 11:24 (compare SmListen 7).
2. Edomites:
a. ᵐ5 Ζαρε Gen 36:13; Gen 36:17 (both P) = 1Chr 1:37.
b. ᵐ5 Ζαρα Gen 36:33 (P) = 1Chr 1:44 (b = a ?).
3. ᵐ5L Ζαρα, Levites:
a. (variant reading Ιααρα) 1Chr 6:6*.
b. (variant reading Ζααραι) 1Chr 6:26*.
4. head of a Simeonite family, ᵐ5 Ζαρα) Num 26:13 (P), 1Chr 4:24 (variant reading Ζαρες) (= צֹחַר ᵐ5 Σααρ Gen 46:10; Exod 6:15, compare Di Num 26:13).
5. a Cushite, ᵐ5 Ζαρε, foe of king Asa 2Chr 14:8*.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Genesis | 36:13 · 36:17 · 36:33 · 38:30 · 46:10 · 46:12 |
| Exodus | 6:15 |
| Numbers | 26:13 · 26:20 |
| Joshua | 7:1 · 7:18 · 7:24 · 22:20 |
| 1 Chronicles | 1:37 · 1:44 · 2:4 · 2:6 · 4:24 · 6:6* · 6:26* · 9:6 |
| 2 Chronicles | 14:8* |
| Nehemiah | 11:24 |
Profile
Male • Judah's son • Son of Judah, twin of Perez
Judah's son living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness
Zerah, son of Judah and Tamar, was the twin brother of Perez and ancestor of Achan (Gen.38.30; 46.12; Num.26.20; Jos.7.1,18,24; 22.20; 1Ch.2.4,6; 9.6; 27.8; Neh.11.24; Mat.1.3).
- Judah's son from the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.38.30;
- referred to as Zerah זֶרַח, or Izrahite יִזְרָח, or Zerah (KJV= Zarah) Ζαρά;
- son of Judah יְהוּדָה and Tamar תָּמָר;
- a brother of Perez פֶּרֶץ;
- half-brother of: Er עֵר, Onan אוֹנָן and Shelah שֵׁלָה;
- father of Zabdi זַבְדִּי, Ethan אֵיתָן, Heman הֵימָן, Calcol כַּלְכֹּל and Dara דָּרַע.
Zerah was the son of Judah and Tamar, and the twin brother of Perez. His birth is recorded in Genesis 38, where it is noted that he put out his hand first during delivery, and the midwife tied a scarlet thread on his wrist. However, his brother Perez was actually born first, breaking out before him. Zerah's descendants are mentioned in various genealogies throughout the Old Testament. Most notably, Achan, the man who sinned by taking the devoted things during the conquest of Jericho, was from the tribe of Judah and the family of Zerah. The descendants of Zerah are also mentioned among those who lived in Jerusalem after the exile. In 1 Chronicles 27, it is recorded that Shamhuth, from the clan of Zerah, was in charge of the fifth division of David's army. Zerah is also included in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1, highlighting his significance in the lineage of the Messiah.
All entries for Zerah or Izrahite: זֶרַח ☩ Ζαρά ☩ יִזְרָח