Zerah

Zerah (meaning sunrise or a rising of light) is a name borne by several biblical individuals. (1.) A son of Reuel and grandson of Esau, a clan chief of Edom (Genesis 36:13, 17). (2.) Zerah and Perez were twin sons of Judah by his daughter-in-law Tamar (Genesis 38:30); Zerah thrust out his hand first and the midwife tied a scarlet thread on his wrist, but Perez broke through first, hence his name. The clan of Zerah (Zarhites) appears in Joshua 7:17–24 in the story of Achan, and in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 2:4–6 and 9:6. (3.) Zerah the Ethiopian (Cushite) — probably Osorkon II of Egypt — who invaded Judah with a massive army in the reign of Asa and was decisively defeated at Zephathah (2 Chronicles 14:9–15). (4.) A Simeonite (Numbers 26:13; 1 Chronicles 4:24). (5.) A Levite (1 Chronicles 6:21, 41).