Zerah זֶ֫רַח
Levite of the Gershonite clan
Who is Zerah in the Bible?
Zerah was a Levite of the Gershonite clan and the son of Iddo, mentioned in the genealogies recorded in 1 Chronicles 6:21 and 6:41. As a member of the Gershonite family, Zerah was part of the Levitical line responsible for the religious duties and maintenance of the tabernacle and its furnishings during Israel's wilderness wanderings and temple service. His inclusion in the detailed genealogical records of 1 Chronicles underscores the importance of tracing the lineage of the Levitical families, who held a central role in Israel's religious life and worship practices.
Biography
Zerah was a Levite who belonged to the clan of Gershon. He was the son of Iddo and is mentioned in the genealogies of the Levites in 1 Chronicles 6. These genealogies trace the lineage of the Levitical families, who were responsible for the religious duties in the temple. As a Gershonite, Zerah would have been part of the Levitical family that was tasked with the care of the tabernacle and its furnishings during the wilderness wanderings.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 6:21
"Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, and Jeatherai his son."
- 1 Chronicles 6:41
"the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | זֶ֫רַח | zeraḥ | Zerach , the name of three Israelites, also of an Idumaean and an Ethiopian prince |
Zerah
s 7:1,18,24; 22:20; 1Ch 2:4,6; 9:6; Ne 11:24; Mt 1:3, younger twin-son of Judah and Tamar, and an ancestor of Achan. In Nu 26:20; Jos 7:17 f he is the head of the Zerahites (also 1Ch 27:11,13). the King James Version has "Zarah" in Ge 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 (Ge 36:13,17; 1Ch 1:37);
(b) father of an Edomite king (Ge 36:33; 1Ch 1:44).
(3) Levites:
(a) 1Ch 6:21 (Hebrew verse 6);
(b) 1Ch 6:41 (Hebrew verse 26).
(4) Head of the Zerahites (Nu 26:13, the King James Version "Zarhites"; 1Ch 4:24). In Nu 26:13 = "Zohar" of Ge 46:10; Ex 6:15.
See ZOHAR, (2).
(5) Cushite king (2Ch 14:9). See the next article
David Francis Roberts