A son of the patriarch Judah by Tamar, brother of Perez, and father of Zabdi (Zimri), Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara. He is listed in the family line of Jesus.
About Zerah
One of the twin sons of Judah by his daughter-in-law Tamar (Genesis 38:30; 46:12; Matthew 1:3). Although Zerah thrust out his hand first, he drew it back, allowing his brother, Perez, to be born first. The descendants of Zerah (the Zerahites) became one of the most influential clans of Judah (Numbers 26:20; Joshua 7:1, 18; 22:20; 1 Chronicles 2:4–6; 9:6). Because Ethan and Heman are listed as sons of Zerah in 1 Chronicles 2:6, the Ezrahites mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31 and the titles to Psalms 88 and 89 are also considered to be Zerahites. However, Ethan and Heman are listed as Levites in 1 Chronicles 15:17. It is more likely that the Ezrahites were a Levite clan.
Family Relationships
- Parents
- Judah, Tamar
- Sibling
- Perez
- Half-siblings 3
- Er, Onan, Shelah
- Children 5
- Zabdi, Ethan (1 Chronicles 2:6), Heman (1 Chronicles 2:6), Calcol (1 Chronicles 2:6), Dara
- Nieces & Nephews 7
- Er (1 Chronicles 4:21), Laadah, Jokim, Joash (1 Chronicles 4:22), Saraph, Hezron, Hamul
- Aunt
- Dinah
- Uncles 11
- Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Dan (Patriarch), Naphtali, Gad (Patriarch), Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin
- Cousins 52
- Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, Carmi, Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zerah, Shaul, Gershon, Kohath, Merari, Jochebed, Hushim (Genesis 46:23), Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, Shillem, Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arod, Areli, Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi (Genesis 46:17), Beriah, Serah, Tola, Puah, Jashub, Shimron, Sered, Elon (Genesis 46:14), Jahleel, Manasseh (Son of Joseph), Ephraim, Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, Ard, Ahiram, Jediael
Key References
Then his brother came out with the scarlet thread around his wrist, and he was named Zerah.
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.
All Scripture References (13)
Genesis (2)
Then his brother came out with the scarlet thread around his wrist, and he was named Zerah.
The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.
Numbers (1)
These were the descendants of Judah by their clans: The Shelanite clan from Shelah, the Perezite clan from Perez, and the Zerahite clan from Zerah.
Joshua (4)
The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.
And he had the family of Zabdi come forward man by man, and Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was selected.
Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the cloak, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen and donkeys and sheep, his tent, and everything else he owned, and brought them to the Valley of Achor.
Was not Achan son of Zerah unfaithful regarding what was set apart for destruction, bringing wrath upon the whole congregation of Israel? Yet it was not only Achan who perished because of his sin!’”
1 Chronicles (4)
Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.
The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara—five in all.
From the Zerahites: Jeuel and 690 relatives.
The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
Nehemiah (1)
Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, a descendant of Zerah son of Judah, was the king’s agent in every matter concerning the people.
Matthew (1)
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.