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
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| זֶ֣רַח | Zerah | 2Chr.14.9 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 2Ch.14.9
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 • Ethiopian commander who invaded Judah
Man living at the time of Divided Monarchy
Zerah the Ethiopian led a vast army against Judah but was defeated by King Asa (2Ch.14.9).
- A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 2Ch.14.9;
- only referred to as Zerah זֶרַח.
Zerah the Ethiopian (or Cushite) was a military commander who led a massive invasion force against Judah during the reign of King Asa. According to 2 Chronicles 14, Zerah's army numbered over a million men and included 300 chariots. They advanced as far as Mareshah before encountering Asa's forces in the Valley of Zephathah. Asa called upon the Lord for help, and the Ethiopians were defeated and pursued as far as Gerar. The exact identity of Zerah is uncertain. Some scholars suggest he may have been Usarken II, an Egyptian pharaoh, while others propose he was an Arabian leader. Whoever he was, his defeat was a significant victory for Judah and a demonstration of God's power on behalf of His people.
All entries for Zerah: זֶרַח