Boy Old Testament Rare
Zerah
same as Zarah
זֶ֫רַח ze.rach
Zerah (Hebrew: זֶ֫רַח, ze.rach) is a biblical name; its Hebrew etymology is not securely established. Eight men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Patriarchal period. In 2025 it was given to 7 children in the United States. Appears in the same passages as Abijah.
Which Zerah?
Eight men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Zerah
sibling of Perez; son of Judah
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Zerah
son of Simeon
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Zerah
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Zerah
son of Reuel
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Zerah
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Zerah
son of Iddo
Show all 8 bearers
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Zerah
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Zerah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 31 across 10 books
- Bearers
- 8 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Both
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 7 | Steady |
| All-time total | 109 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 9 in 2015 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 36:13 |
| Last appears | Matthew 1:3 |
| Cross-references | 475 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Shaul attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Simeon.
- Perez attested sibling Named in scripture as a sibling of Zerah.
- Jachin attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Simeon.
- Jamin attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Simeon.
- Jemuel attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Simeon.
- Shaul co-occurrence Appears with Shaul in 1 Chronicles 4.
- Zohar co-occurrence Appears with Zohar in 1 Chronicles 4.
- Zabdi co-occurrence Appears with Zabdi in Joshua 7.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.21;
son of: Iddo (H5714H);
father of: Jeatherai (H2979)
§ Zerah or Zarah = "rising"
1) a son of Reuel and grandson of Esau, one of the dukes of the Edomites
2) twin brother of Pharez, sons of Judah and Tamar; descendants are called Zarhites, Ezrahites, and Izrahites
3) son of Simeon; also called 'Zohar'
4) a Gershonite Levite, son of Iddo of Adaiah
5) the Ethiopian or Cushite, invader of Judah in the reign of Asa who defeated the invaders; probably the same as the Egyptian king Usarken I, second king of the Egyptian 22nd dynasty or perhaps more probably Usarken II, his 2nd successor
6) another Edomite leader; possibly same as 1
Zerah, a Levite of the Gershonite clan, was the son of Iddo.
The biblical story
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.
Key verses
Zerah appears in 2 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son.
1 Chronicles 6:21 -
The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
1 Chronicles 6:41
Show all 2 references
1 Chronicles (2)
- 1 Chronicles 6:21
- 1 Chronicles 6:41