Ζαρά

Zerah

Definition

Zara (Greek: Ζαρά) is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Zerah (זֶרַח), meaning 'dawning' or 'shining'. In the New Testament, it appears exclusively in Matthew 1:3 as part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, identifying Zerah as a son of Judah and Tamar. This reference directly connects to the Old Testament narrative in Genesis 38:27-30, where Zerah is the twin brother of Perez, notable for the scarlet thread tied to his wrist at birth. The name itself carries the sense of a rising light or beginning, fitting his narrative role as a progenitor in the messianic line.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 1:3, within the genealogy that opens the Gospel. Its usage is strictly onomastic (name-based), serving to trace Jesus's lineage back to the patriarch Judah through his son Zerah, as recorded in the Hebrew scriptures. No other contextual or metaphorical uses appear in the Greek New Testament.

Etymology

Ζαρά is a direct Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name זֶרַח (Zerah), derived from the Hebrew root זרח (z-r-ch), meaning 'to rise' or 'to shine,' as in the dawning of the sun. It is not a native Greek word but a borrowed proper name, preserving its original Semitic meaning of 'dawning' or 'brightness' within the Greek text.

Semantic Range

While the name itself is not theologically loaded, its inclusion in Matthew's genealogy (Matthew 1:3) is significant. It affirms the fulfillment of Old Testament promises, showing Jesus's legal descent from Judah (Genesis 49:10) and highlighting God's providence in the messianic line, which includes figures like Zerah from unconventional family situations. Understanding this Greek transliteration connects readers directly to the Hebrew narrative, enriching the appreciation of Matthew's meticulous scriptural grounding.

In its original Hebrew context, the name Zerah ('dawning') likely reflected a hope or characteristic associated with birth. The biblical story in Genesis 38 emphasizes his birth order and the scarlet thread, which may have carried cultural significance related to identity or destiny. The Greek transliteration simply carries this name into the New Testament without adding cultural nuance, serving as a precise link to Israel's ancestral history.

Perez (Phares, G5329) — Zerah's twin brother, also a son of Judah and Tamar listed in the same genealogy (Matthew 1:3).

Word Details

Scripture References