Judah's son living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness
Zerah, son of Judah and Tamar, was the twin brother of Perez and ancestor of Achan.
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Also known as Zerahite · Zarhites · Izrahite · Ezrahites · Ezrahite · Zara
Zerah was the son of Judah and Tamar, and the twin brother of Perez. His birth is recorded in Genesis 38, where it is noted that he put out his hand first during delivery, and the midwife tied a scarlet thread on his wrist. However, his brother Perez was actually born first, breaking out before him.
Zerah's descendants are mentioned in various genealogies throughout the Old Testament. Most notably, Achan, the man who sinned by taking the devoted things during the conquest of Jericho, was from the tribe of Judah and the family of Zerah. The descendants of Zerah are also mentioned among those who lived in Jerusalem after the exile. In 1Chronicles 27, it is recorded that Shamhuth, from the clan of Zerah, was in charge of the fifth division of David's army.
His descendants the Izrahites or Ezrahites included very wise men (1Ki.4.31). Ethan is also credited with composing Psalm 89 (Psalm 1Ki.89.1). Another notable Ezrahite was Heman, who was a singer and musician in the time of David and is mentioned as the author of Psalm 88 (Psalm 1Ki.88.1; 1Ch.6.33).
Zerah is also included in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1, highlighting his significance in the lineage of the Messiah.
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19 verses in 8 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H2226
Then his brother came out with the scarlet thread around his wrist, and he was named Zerah.
The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.
These were the descendants of Judah by their clans: The Shelanite clan from Shelah, the Perezite clan from Perez, and the Zerahite clan from Zerah.
The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.
He had the clans of Judah come forward, and the clan of the Zerahites was selected. He had the clan of the Zerahites come forward, and the family of Zabdi was selected.
And he had the family of Zabdi come forward man by man, and Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was selected.
Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the cloak, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen and donkeys and sheep, his tent, and everything else he owned, and brought them to the Valley of Achor.
Was not Achan son of Zerah unfaithful regarding what was set apart for destruction, bringing wrath upon the whole congregation of Israel? Yet it was not only Achan who perished because of his sin!’”
He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations.
Tamar, Judahʼs daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.
The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara—five in all.
From the Zerahites: Jeuel and 690 relatives.
The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, a descendant of Zerah son of Judah, was the kingʼs agent in every matter concerning the people.
O LORD, the God of my salvation, day and night I cry out before You.
I will sing of the loving devotion of the LORD forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations.
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.