Who was Zereth in the Bible?

Zereth was a Judahite, recorded as a son of Ashhur and Helah in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:7). He is mentioned only in this lineage, indicating his place within the ancestral line of God's people.

Why is Zereth mentioned in the Bible?

Zereth's significance lies in his inclusion in the detailed genealogy of Judah, the tribe from which King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ would descend. His mention helps establish the continuity and legitimacy of the Messianic line (Matthew 1:3-6).

Are there any stories about Zereth in the Bible?

No, there are no specific stories or key events recorded about Zereth's life. The Bible only lists his name in a genealogical record, which was crucial for establishing tribal heritage and inheritance rights in ancient Israel (1 Chronicles 4:1-7).

Zereth

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Zereth, a son of Ashhur (or 'Ashur') and Helah, was a Judahite (1Ch.4.7).

Zereth

Biography

Zereth was a son of Ashhur, the man credited with founding Tekoa, through his wife Helah, and is listed among the descendants of Judah in 1 Chronicles 4:7. The genealogical record of 1 Chronicles 4 covers the extended clans of Judah, and Zereth appears alongside his brothers Izhar and Ethnan in a brief but specific ancestral note. Ashhur, his father, was posthumously born to Hezron and became an important figure in the Judahite settlement of the Negev region. Zereth's name, possibly meaning 'splendor' or 'brightness' in Hebrew, is otherwise unattested in biblical narrative. His appearance in this genealogy during the period of the divided monarchy suggests a line that had established itself within the territorial and clan structure of Judah.

Significance

Zereth's inclusion in the Judahite genealogy of 1 Chronicles 4 reflects the Chronicler's comprehensive approach to preserving Israel's family memory. The tribe of Judah receives the most extensive genealogical treatment in Chronicles because it was from this tribe that Israel's enduring royal line, and ultimately the Messiah, would emerge. Even minor figures like Zereth are given their place within this grand lineage. The meticulous recording of such names testifies to the biblical conviction that every individual within God's covenant people has dignity and a place in the larger story. The Chronicler presents these genealogies not merely as historical record but as theological statement: God knows and preserves the names of his people across generations.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherAshhur

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:7

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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