Lexical Summary Zarchi: Zarchite Original Word: זַרְחִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Zarchite Patronymically from Zerach; a Zarchite or descendant of Zerach -- Zarchite. see HEBREW Zerach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Zerach Definition desc. of Zerah NASB Translation Zerahites (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs זַרְחִי adjective, of a people always with article as substantive collective ׳הַזּ: 1 from זֶרַח 1: — Joshua 7:17 (twice in verse) (JE), Numbers 26:20 (P), compare ׳לַזּ 1 Chronicles 27:11,13. 2 from זֶרַח 4: — Numbers 26:13. Topical Lexicon Lineage and Tribal Context The designation “Zarhite” identifies descendants of a man named Zerah. Scripture records two men by that name: Zerah son of Simeon (Genesis 46:10) and Zerah son of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38:30). Consequently, the term is applied to clans within both Simeon and Judah. At the time of Israel’s wilderness wandering, the Zarhites of Simeon formed one of that tribe’s principal families (Numbers 26:13), while the Zarhites of Judah stood alongside the Shelanites and Perezites as a major subdivision of Judah (Numbers 26:20). Census and the Wilderness Generation The second wilderness census enumerated the Zarhites on the eve of entry into Canaan. By recording them under both Simeon and Judah, Moses affirmed the Lord’s preservation of covenant families despite prior judgments in the desert. The totality of Israel’s tribes—including the Zarhite branches—would share in the inheritance promised to Abraham. In the Conquest under Joshua During the lot-casting that exposed Achan’s transgression, Joshua narrowed the search “by tribe, and the tribe of Judah was selected. He brought forward the clans of Judah, and the clan of the Zerahites was selected” (Joshua 7:16-17). The text highlights (1) the corporate nature of sin—Achan’s guilt implicated his entire clan, and (2) the Lord’s precise oversight—divinely guided casting fell unerringly upon the right household. The tragic judgment on Achan became a lasting warning that privilege within Judah’s royal tribe did not exempt a Zarhite from obedience. Military Administration in the Monarchy David organized his standing army into twelve monthly divisions of twenty-four thousand men (1 Chronicles 27). Two of the twelve commanders hailed from the Zarhite line: Their appointments show the continued prominence of Zarhites centuries after the conquest, contributing seasoned warriors to defend the kingdom and extend David’s rule. Spiritual Lessons and Theological Themes 1. Covenant Faithfulness: The survival and visibility of Zarhites across the Pentateuch, Historical Books, and Chronicles illustrate God’s faithfulness to tribal promises despite individual failures (e.g., Achan). Messianic Foreshadowings and Typology Although Messiah descends through Judah’s line of Perez (Ruth 4:18-22; Matthew 1:3), the twin birth of Perez and Zerah (Genesis 38) foreshadows the paradox of the firstborn’s privilege passing to another. Zerah’s scarlet-thread episode hints at substitution and reversal—motifs fully realized when Christ, the true Firstborn, bears the crimson of atonement that others might inherit. Practical Application for the Church • Identity: Believers, like the Zarhites, possess a God-given heritage; knowing one’s place in the redeemed community fosters accountability and service. Forms and Transliterations הַזַּרְחִ֑י הַזַּרְחִֽי׃ הַזַּרְחִי֙ הזרחי הזרחי׃ לַזַּרְחִ֑י לזרחי haz·zar·ḥî hazzarChi hazzarḥî laz·zar·ḥî lazzarChi lazzarḥîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 26:13 HEB: לְזֶ֕רַח מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַזַּרְחִ֑י לְשָׁא֕וּל מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת NAS: the family of the Zerahites; of Shaul, KJV: the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, INT: of Zerah the family of the Zerahites of Shaul the family Numbers 26:20 Joshua 7:17 Joshua 7:17 1 Chronicles 27:11 1 Chronicles 27:13 6 Occurrences |
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