"Afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Zerah Meaning in the Bible
Zerah
boy
Zerah means "Rising light or dawning", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Zerah appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 38:30 is the passage most often tied to it. The name Zerah, meaning 'Rising light or dawning,' reflects spiritual truths about Gods nature and purposes.
Is Zerah in the Bible?
Yes — Zerah (spelled Serah in the King James Bible) appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Pronunciation:/ZEH-rah/
OriginHebrew
MeaningRising light or dawning
What does Zerah mean?
Zerah is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Rising light or dawning". Zerah was the twin son of Judah and Tamar, born with a scarlet thread tied to his hand. His name speaks of new beginnings and divine light.
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What does Zerah mean in the Bible?
Zerah means "Rising light or dawning" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Zerah was the twin son of Judah and Tamar, born with a scarlet thread tied to his hand. His name speaks of new beginnings and divine light.
Where does Zerah appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Zerah is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 38:30. Each verse is quoted in full below.
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Which books of the Bible mention Zerah?
Zerah is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Zerah?
The name Zerah, meaning 'Rising light or dawning,' reflects spiritual truths about Gods nature and purposes.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Zerah:
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Word Meaning
Light (אוֹר (Or) / φῶς (Phōs))
A symbol of God's presence, truth, holiness, and salvation
Word Meaning
Hope (Tiqvah) (תִּקְוָה (tiqvah))
A cord of expectation — the lifeline of confident waiting tied to God's promises.
Strong's
Strong's H8615 — Hope (Tiqvah)
תִּקְוָה (tiqvah) • A cord of expectation — the lifeline of confident waiting tied to God's promises.
What names are related to Zerah?
Names like Zerah
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Rising light or dawning" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Zerah
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Ariel
unisex
"Lion of God; Altar hearth"
Zerah & Ariel
Liora
girl
"My light; God's light for me"
Zerah & Liora
Liora
girl
"My light; Light for me"
Zerah & Liora
Liora
girl
"My light; Light for me"
Zerah & Liora
Selah
girl
"Pause; Reflect; Forever"
Zerah & Selah
Shiloh
unisex
"Tranquil; He whose it is; Peace-bringer"
Zerah & Shiloh
Share the meaning of Zerah
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Zerah name meaning: frequently asked questions
Common questions about the name Zerah
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Zerah?
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 Zerah?
You can read every verse where Zerah 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.