ZERAH

ze'-ra (zerach, meaning uncertain):

(1) In Genesis 38:30; 46:12; Numbers 26:20; Joshua 7:1,18,24; 22:20; 1 Chronicles 2:4,6; 9:6; Nehemiah 11:24; Matthew 1:3, younger twin-son of Judah and Tamar, and an ancestor of Achan. In Numbers 26:20; Joshua 7:17 f he is the head of the Zerahites (also 1 Chronicles 27:11,13). the King James Version has "Zarah" in Genesis 38:30; 46:12, and "Zarhites" for "Zerahites" in Numbers, Joshua and 1 Chronicles. See Curtis (Chronicles, 84 f) for identification of Ezrahite with Zerahite.

(2) Edomites: (a) an Edomite chief (Genesis 36:13,17; 1 Chronicles 1:37); (b) father of an Edomite king (Genesis 36:33; 1 Chronicles 1:44).

(3) Levites: (a) 1 Chronicles 6:21 (Hebrew verse 6); (b) 1 Chronicles 6:41 (Hebrew verse 26).

(4) Head of the Zerahites (Numbers 26:13, the King James Version "Zarhites"; 1 Chronicles 4:24). In Numbers 26:13 = "Zohar" of Genesis 46:10; Exodus 6:15.

See ZOHAR , (2).

(5) Cushite king (2 Chronicles 14:9). See the next article

David Francis Roberts

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.