Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: Zarah, also spelled Zerah, is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament. He is primarily known as one of the twin sons of Judah and Tamar. His account is found in the Book of Genesis and is significant in the genealogical records of the tribes of Israel. Biblical Account: Zarah's birth is recorded in Genesis 38. Tamar, the widow of Judah's son Er, was left childless after the death of her second husband, Onan. Disguising herself as a prostitute, Tamar conceived twins by Judah. During the birth, an unusual event occurred. As the twins were being born, one child extended his hand out of the womb, and the midwife tied a scarlet thread around it, declaring, "This one came out first." However, he drew back his hand, and his brother was born first. The child with the scarlet thread was named Zarah, meaning "brightness" or "rising," while his brother was named Perez. The account is detailed in Genesis 38:27-30 : "When the time came for Tamar to give birth, there were twins in her womb. And as she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it around his wrist. 'This one came out first,' she announced. But when he pulled his hand back and his brother came out, she said, 'You have broken out first!' So he was named Perez. Then his brother came out with the scarlet thread around his wrist, and he was named Zarah." Genealogical Significance: Zarah is listed in the genealogies of the tribes of Israel. His descendants, known as the Zerahites, are mentioned in several passages throughout the Old Testament. In 1 Chronicles 2:4, Zarah is included in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah, highlighting his importance in the lineage of the Israelites. Tribal Associations: The descendants of Zarah, the Zerahites, became one of the clans within the tribe of Judah. They are mentioned in the census of the Israelites in the wilderness, as recorded in Numbers 26:20 : "The descendants of Judah by their clans were: The Shelanite clan from Shelah, the Perezite clan from Perez, and the Zerahite clan from Zerah." Historical and Theological Context: Zarah's account is part of the larger narrative of the patriarchs and the formation of the tribes of Israel. His birth, marked by the unusual circumstances of the scarlet thread, is often seen as a symbol of the unexpected ways in which God's plans unfold. The scarlet thread itself has been interpreted by some theologians as a foreshadowing of redemption and the bloodline leading to Christ, although Zarah himself is not in the direct lineage of Jesus, which comes through his brother Perez. Conclusion: While Zarah's role in the biblical narrative is relatively brief, his inclusion in the genealogies underscores the importance of family lineage in the history of Israel. His account, intertwined with themes of justice, redemption, and divine providence, continues to be a point of interest for biblical scholars and theologians. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary ZarahInternational Standard Bible Encyclopedia ZARAHza'-ra. Strong's Hebrew 2219. zarah -- to scatter, fan, winnow... 2218, 2219. zarah. 2220 . to scatter, fan, winnow. Transliteration: zarah Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-raw') Short Definition: scatter. ... 2218, 2219. zarah. 2220 ... /hebrew/2219.htm - 6k 2226. Zerach -- three Israelites, also an Edomite, also an ... 2214. zara -- loathsome thing 4214. mizreh -- a pitchfork 4215. mezareh -- north 2239. zereth -- a span Library Some History of Tiberias. The Jerusalem Talmud was Written There ... About this Same Time, Judah, the Son of Jacob... In Palestine - Jews and Gentiles in the Land' - their Mutual ... Letter cxxiii. To Ageruchia. Letter C Matt. I. 1 Traditionalism, Its Origin, Character, and Literature - the ... Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied ... The Book of Jubilees The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic ... Thesaurus Zarah (3 Occurrences)...ZARAH. za'-ra. See ZERAH (1). ...Zarah (3 Occurrences). Matthew 1:3 and Judah begat Pharez and Zarah of Tamar, and Pharez begat Hezron, and Hezron begat Ram, (YLT). ... /z/zarah.htm - 7k Pharez (11 Occurrences) Talmud Zaraces Zerah (22 Occurrences) Zaraias Incense (167 Occurrences) Fanner Fan (8 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Zarah (3 Occurrences)Matthew 1:3 Genesis 38:30 Genesis 46:12 Subtopics Related Terms |
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