"And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah."
Biblical Name · Hebrew (Zerah) Origin
Zara Meaning in the Bible
Zara
girl
Zara, from Hebrew Zerah, means "dawn" or "sunrise." In the King James Bible, Zarah is the son of Tamar born with the scarlet thread (Genesis 38:30), and "Zara" is named in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:3.
Is Zara in the Bible?
Yes — Zara (spelled Sara in the King James Bible) appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 38:30.
Pronunciation:/ZAR-uh/
OriginHebrew (Zerah)
MeaningDawn; Sunrise; Brightness
What does Zara mean?
Zara is a girl name of Hebrew (Zerah) origin meaning "Dawn; Sunrise; Brightness". Zara (Zerah) means "dawn," "sunrise," or "brightness" in Hebrew. In the Bible, Zerah was one of the twin sons of Judah and Tamar.
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Editor’s reflection
A radiant name with Hebrew roots and a small but bright biblical footprint.
Zara is a modern spelling of Zarah (also written Zerah), a Hebrew name meaning 'brightness,' 'dawn,' or 'shining.' In the King James Bible the name belongs to one of the twin sons of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38:30, 1 Chronicles 2:4). Zarah's birth is famous for the scarlet thread — the midwife bound his hand as it appeared first, then his brother Pharez came out ahead of him. That single scene has shaped how Christian readers hear the name for centuries: unexpected reversal, quiet promise, light breaking through.
Because Zara sounds gentle in English yet carries the weight of a Genesis narrative, it has become a favourite for parents who want something short, feminine, and unmistakably biblical without sounding old-fashioned. The name also crosses cultures easily — it reads naturally in Arabic ('blooming flower'), Slavic ('golden dawn'), and English-speaking traditions alike.
Spiritually, Zara is often paired with themes of hope after long waiting. Judah's household had known grief and moral failure by the time the twins were born; Zarah's story reminds readers that even a compromised family line can produce children destined for blessing. For a daughter, the name whispers: your beginning does not decide your brightness.
“The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye.”
Why parents choose Zara today
- •Two syllables, easy to spell in any language
- •Rare enough to feel personal, familiar enough to age well
- •Direct Old Testament link without a heavy or archaic sound
What does Zara mean in the Bible?
Zara means "Dawn; Sunrise; Brightness" and is a name of Hebrew (Zerah) origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Zara (Zerah) means "dawn," "sunrise," or "brightness" in Hebrew. In the Bible, Zerah was one of the twin sons of Judah and Tamar. During birth, Zerah's hand emerged first, and the midwife tied a scarlet thread around it to identify the firstborn.
However, Zerah's twin Perez pushed ahead and was born first — an unexpected reversal that mirrors many biblical stories where God upends human expectations. Zerah is included in the genealogy of Jesus through the line of Judah (Matthew 1:3).
The scarlet thread tied around Zerah's wrist has been interpreted by many theologians as a symbol pointing to redemption — the scarlet thread that runs throughout Scripture, from Rahab's window to the blood of Christ.
Where does Zara appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Zara is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 38:30. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar."
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Which books of the Bible mention Zara?
Zara is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Zara?
Zara's name — 'dawn' — speaks of new beginnings and the light that breaks through darkness. The scarlet thread of her birth story points to the crimson thread of redemption woven through all of Scripture.
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Promises connected to the meaning of the name Zara:
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What names are related to Zara?
Names that pair well with Zara
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Zara
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Zara name meaning: frequently asked questions
No — they share no root. Sarah comes from the Hebrew Sarai/Sarah meaning 'princess.' Zara comes from Zerah/Zarah meaning 'brightness' or 'dawn,' the name of Judah's son in Genesis 38. They sound similar in English but are unrelated in Hebrew.
Yes — Zara (spelled Sara in the King James Bible) appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 38:30.
Zara means "Dawn; Sunrise; Brightness." It is a Hebrew (Zerah) name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 38:30, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Zara
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Zara?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Zara?
You can read every verse where Zara appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.