Bible Dictionary
Zerah
This name refers to several biblical men, including Judah’s son by Tamar, Edomite chiefs, Levites, and Zerah the Cushite king who invaded Judah during Asa’s reign.
Definition
Zerah is the name of several biblical men. These include Judah’s son by Tamar, Edomite chiefs, Levites, a head of the Zerahites, and Zerah the Cushite who invaded Judah during Asa’s reign.
Biblical Usage
Judah’s son Zerah became the ancestor of the Zerahites and is also called Zara. Zerah the Cushite led a great army against Asa but was defeated at Zephathah. Other bearers are recorded in genealogies.
Historical Background
The Cushite invader has been identified in the supplied material, probably, with Osorkon II of Egypt. His defeat was followed by the taking of much spoil.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Sunrise. (1.) An “Ethiopian,” 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 Chr. 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 (B.C. 609), came up against Jerusalem. (2.) A son of Tamar (Gen. 38:30); called also Zara (Matt. 1:3). (3.) A Gershonite Levite (1 Chr. 6:21, 41).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(rising (of the sun)).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ze'-ra (zerach, meaning uncertain):</p><p>(1) In Ge 38:30; 46:12; Nu 26:20; Jos 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.</p><p>(2) Edomites:</p><p>(a) an Edomite chief (Ge 36:13,17; 1Ch 1:37);</p><p>(b) father of an Edomite king (Ge 36:33; 1Ch 1:44).</p><p>(3) Levites:</p><p>(a) 1Ch 6:21 (Hebrew verse 6);</p><p>(b) 1Ch 6:41 (Hebrew verse 26).</p><p>(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.</p><p>See ZOHAR, (2).</p><p>(5) Cushite king (2Ch 14:9). See the next article</p><p>David Francis Roberts</p>