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Zerah זֶ֫רַח

Male Tribe of Judah H2226I 8 books

Son of Judah, twin of Perez

Biography

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. His descendants the Izrahites or Ezrahites included very wise men (1Ki.4.31). Ethan is also credited with composing Psalm 89 (Psalm 1Ki.89.1). Another notable Ezrahite was Heman, who was a singer and musician in the time of David and is mentioned as the author of Psalm 88 (Psalm 1Ki.88.1; 1Ch.6.33). Zerah is also included in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1, highlighting his significance in the lineage of the Messiah.

Family

Parents

Siblings

Offspring

In Scripture

8 biblical books ; 5 with study content
Genesis 2 verses Study available
  • Genesis 38:30

    "Afterward his brother came out, who had the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah."

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  • Genesis 46:12

    "The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul."

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Numbers 1 verse
  • Numbers 26:20

    "The sons of Judah after their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites."

Joshua 5 verses Study available
  • Joshua 7:1

    "But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the devoted things; for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against the children of Israel."

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  • Joshua 7:18

    "He brought near his household man by man, and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was selected."

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  • Joshua 7:24

    "Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his cattle, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had; and they brought them up to the valley of Achor."

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  • Joshua 22:20

    "Didn’t Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the devoted thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? That man didn’t perish alone in his iniquity.’ ”"

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  • Joshua 7:17

    "He brought near the family of Judah, and he selected the family of the Zerahites. He brought near the family of the Zerahites man by man, and Zabdi was selected."

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1 Chronicles 5 verses
  • 1 Chronicles 2:4

    "Tamar his daughter-in-law bore him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five."

  • 1 Chronicles 2:6

    "The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara; five of them in all."

  • 1 Chronicles 9:6

    "Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel and their brothers, six hundred ninety."

  • 1 Chronicles 27:11

    "The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four thousand."

  • 1 Chronicles 27:13

    "The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four thousand."

Nehemiah 1 verse Study available
  • Nehemiah 11:24

    "Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people."

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1 Kings 1 verse
  • 1 Kings 4:31

    "For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all the nations all around."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Strong's
Named Hebrew זֶ֫רַח H2226I
Group Hebrew זַרְחִי H2227G
Group Hebrew יִזְרָ֑ח H3155
Group Hebrew אֶזְרָחִי H0250
Greek Greek Ζαρά G2196