Twin son of Judah and Tamar, born alongside Perez in a dramatic birth. During delivery, Zerah's hand came out first and the midwife tied a scarlet thread on it, but Perez pushed through before him. Zerah's descendants included Achan, who caused Israel's defeat at Ai by taking forbidden spoils from Jericho. The name Zerah means 'scarlet' or 'brightness,' referring to the scarlet thread of his birth.
Then his brother came out with the scarlet thread around his wrist, and he was named Zerah.Genesis 38:30 · Berean Standard Bible
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 Zerah.
A strange detour from Joseph's story. Judah's failures and Tamar's boldness both play a role in the ancestry of the Messiah.
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.
Israel loses a battle they should have won. One man's hidden sin brought defeat on the whole community. What's buried always surfaces.
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.
The New Testament opens with a genealogy — and every name carries a story. Two great promises converge in one person. This is where it all comes together.
Zerah doesn't appear in the direct line from Adam to Jesus, but stands one step from it through Judah, who does. See the whole line.
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