Who is…
Zerah

also known as: Zarah, Zara, Zérach (זֶרַח‎ / זָרַח‎‎), Zéraḥ, Záraḥ, and Zāraḥ

Meaning: Sunrise (Matthew Easton) / Rising of light; possibly referring to the “joy of parents” (Dr. Judson Cornwall & Dr. Stelman Smith)

The name “Zarah” appears in two verses in the King James Bible: Genesis 38:30 KJV; Gen. 46:12 KJV. In most other Bible translations this name is spelled “Zerah.” The name “Zerah” appears 22 times in the New King James Version.

Zerah is the name of various biblical men.

1. Zerah, a duke (or chief) of Edom

   He is a grandson of Esau (son of Isaac) and Bashemath (daughter of Ishmael) (Genesis 36:13, 17; 1 Chronicles 1:37).

   Q & A

   • Who and what is Edom?
   • Who are the Edomites?
   • Who is Esau?
   • Who is ISAAC? What do we know about him?

2. King Zerah

   He is an “Ethiopian” [or “Cushite,” according to NIV] probably Osorkon II, the successor of Shishak on the throne of Egypt.

   “With an enormous army, the largest we read of in Scripture, he invaded the kingdom of Judah in the days of Asa (2 Chronicles 14:9-15). He reached Zephathah, and there encountered the army of Asa. This is the only instance “in all the annals of Judah of a victorious encounter in the field with a first-class heathen power in full force.” The Egyptian host was utterly routed, and the Hebrews gathered “exceeding much spoil.” Three hundred years elapsed before another Egyptian army, that of Necho (609 BC), came up against Jerusalem.” —Matthew G. Easton

   Q & A

   • What is Ethiopia?
   • What are Cushites?
   • Answers about Ancient Egypt in the Bible
   • Who are the kings of the Bible?

3. Zerah, the father of King Jobab of Edom

   Then Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah became king in his place. —Genesis 36:33

   Q & A

   • Who is Jobab?
   • Who and what is Edom?
   • Who are the kings of the Bible?

4. Zerah, twin brother of Perez

   He is a son of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38:30; 46:12; Numbers 26:20; 1 Chronicles 2:4-6); Matthew 1:3).

   He is called “Zara” in Matthew 1:3 KJV (King James Version).

   In Numbers 26:20, his descendants are called the Zarhites (Zerhites).

   He is the father of five sons: Zimri, Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara.

   Four of these sons are referred to as being sages Book of Kings who were exceptionally wise—inferior in wisdom only to King Solomon.

   For he [Solomon] was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations. —1 Kings 4:31

   Mahol is apparently a title or name having to do with dancing. The Book of Chronicles reveal that his name is Zerah (1 Chronicles 2:6).

   Q & A

   • Who is Perez (aka Pharez)?
   • Who is Mahol?

5. Zerah, descendant of Simeon

   He is probably a son of Simeon (Numbers 26:13; 1 Chronicles 4:24).

   It has been suggested that this may the same person as Zohar (Genesis 46:10; Exodus 6:15), Simeon's son.

   This Simeon was a son of Jacob and Leah. His descendants are called the Zerahites (Zarhites, Zerhites) (Numbers 26:13, 20; Joshua 7:17; 1 Chronicles 27:11, 13).

6. Zerah, a Gershonite Levite

   He is an ancestor of one of King David's choir leaders, Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:21).

   Q & A

   • Who is Gershon?
   • What are Levites?
   • Who is Asaph?
   • About music in the Bible

7. Zerah, Ethni’s father

   He is a Levite) (1 Chronicles 6:41) and is possibly the same person as above. Ethni is mentioned only in this verse.