2196. Zara

Lexicon

Zara: Zara

Original Word: Ζαρά
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Zara
Pronunciation: zah-RAH
Phonetic Spelling: (dzar-ah')
Definition: Zara
Meaning: Zerah, son of Judah and Tamar.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Zerah

Of Hebrew origin (Zerach); Zara, (i.e. Zerach), an Israelite -- Zara.

see HEBREW Zerach

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Zerach
Definition
Zerah, an Isr.
NASB Translation
Zerah (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2196: Ζάρα

Ζάρα, ὁ (זֶרַח a rising (of light)), indeclinable, Zarah (better Zerah), one of the ancestors of Christ: Matthew 1:3; cf. Genesis 38:30.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Hebrew name זֶרַח (Zerach)

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H2226 זֶרַח (Zerach): The Hebrew origin of the name Zara, used in the Old Testament to refer to the same individual, Zerah, son of Judah and Tamar.

Usage: The name Ζαρά appears in the genealogical records of the New Testament, specifically in the lineage of Jesus Christ.

Context: Ζαρά (Zara) is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name זֶרַח (Zerach), meaning "rising" or "shining." In the New Testament, Zara is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. He is identified as one of the twin sons of Judah and Tamar. The account of his birth is found in Genesis 38, where Zara's twin brother, Perez, is also mentioned. Despite being the second-born, Perez is often given prominence in biblical genealogies.

In Matthew 1:3 (BSB), the genealogy states: "Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram." This inclusion highlights the significance of Judah's lineage in the messianic line, underscoring the fulfillment of God's promises through the tribe of Judah.

The story of Zara and his brother Perez is notable for the unusual circumstances surrounding their birth, which involved a breach (Genesis 38:27-30). This narrative illustrates themes of redemption and divine providence, as Tamar's actions ensured the continuation of Judah's line, ultimately leading to the birth of Jesus Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

Ζαρα Ζαρὰ Ζάρα Zara Zarà

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 1:3 N
GRK: καὶ τὸν Ζαρὰ ἐκ τῆς
NAS: of Perez and Zerah by Tamar,
KJV: Phares and Zara of Thamar;
INT: and Zerah of

Strong's Greek 2196
1 Occurrence

Ζαρὰ — 1 Occ.