Lexical Summary Serach: Serach Original Word: שֶׂרַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Sarah, Serah By permutation for cerach; superfluity; Serach, an Israelitess -- Sarah, Serah. see HEBREW cerach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as misrah Definition a daughter of Asher NASB Translation Serah (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs שֶׂ֫רַח proper name, feminine (compare Sabean proper name, masculine שרךְ SabDenkmNo. 20, 1. 1, and p. 72, שרחאל Id.No. 13, 1. 2. 12, אלשרךְ DHMEpigr. Denkm. Arab. lxxii); — daughter of Asher Genesis 46:17; 1 Chronicles 7:30, שָׂ֑רַךְ Numbers 26:46; Σααρ, Σαρ(ρ)α, etc.; ᵐ5B Numbers Καρα. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences “ The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah ” (Genesis 46:17). “ The name of Asher’s daughter was Serah ” (Numbers 26:46). 1 Chronicles 7:30 repeats the same notice. Only these three texts mention Serah directly, yet each appears in a distinct historical setting: the migration to Egypt (Genesis), the wilderness census (Numbers), and the post-exilic genealogical records (1 Chronicles). Genealogical Placement among the Patriarchs Serah is a granddaughter of Jacob and the sole female listed among Asher’s immediate offspring. The Genesis catalogue frames the family entering Egypt; the Numbers census frames those poised to inherit Canaan; and the Chronicler revisits the clan centuries later after the exile. Her name, therefore, bridges the patriarchal, Mosaic, and restoration eras. This unbroken thread underscores the precision of biblical record-keeping and God’s preservation of covenant lineage. Testimony to Covenant Continuity The repeated inclusion of Serah illustrates how individual names serve as fixed points anchoring Israel’s collective memory. While the generations shift from tents in Goshen to the plains of Moab and finally to post-exilic Jerusalem, Serah remains on the roll. The Spirit’s deliberate retention of her name affirms that none of God’s people are forgotten and that the promises sworn to the fathers extend to their daughters as well as their sons. Women Named in Israel’s Early History Scripture names relatively few women in tribal genealogies. Alongside Dinah and Tamar, Serah’s presence testifies to the dignity afforded women within the covenant community. Her mention balances the otherwise male-focused registers, reminding readers that the blessings of Genesis 12:3 embraced “all families of the earth,” women included. Tribal Identity and Inheritance The tribe of Asher later occupied fertile territory along the Mediterranean coast (Joshua 19:24-31). By maintaining Serah’s name in each enumeration, the biblical writers certify the tribe’s full complement when land allotments were determined. In covenant terms, Serah stands as a legal witness that Asher entered Canaan with the same numerical integrity it possessed when it marched out of Egypt. Echoes in Later Jewish Tradition Post-biblical sources celebrate Serah as a heroine who allegedly lived from the days of Jacob to the Exodus, identifying Joseph’s bones and even advising Moses. Although these accounts are not inspired, their very existence shows how a brief biblical reference can spark centuries of reflection, drawing attention to the otherwise hidden contributions of women in salvation history. Practical and Ministry Reflections 1. God sees individuals in the multitude. Serah’s threefold appearance encourages pastors and parents to remember that every name in the congregation matters to God. Forms and Transliterations וְשֶׂ֣רַח וְשֶׂ֥רַח ושרח שָֽׂרַח׃ שרח׃ śā·raḥ Sarach śāraḥ veSerach wə·śe·raḥ wəśeraḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 46:17 HEB: וְיִשְׁוִ֥י וּבְרִיעָ֖ה וְשֶׂ֣רַח אֲחֹתָ֑ם וּבְנֵ֣י NAS: and their sister Serah. And the sons KJV: and Beriah, and Serah their sister: INT: and Ishvi and Beriah Serah and their sister and the sons Numbers 26:46 1 Chronicles 7:30 3 Occurrences |
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