זַרְחִי
𐤆𐤓𐤇𐤉
Zarechi
H2227 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A descendant or clan-member of Zerah (זֶרַח), an Israelite personal name. Used as an ethnicon to designate lineage, specifically identifying individuals or families as belonging to the line or clan of Zerah. In genealogical, tribal, or census contexts, highlights descent from the ancestor Zerah within the larger framework of Israelite tribal organization.
Semantic Range
descendant of Zerah, member of the Zerahite clan, clan derived from Zerah, genealogical identifier within Judah
Root / Etymology
From the root זרח (z-r-ḥ), which means 'to rise, shine,' especially in reference to celestial bodies; the noun זֶרַח (Zerah) is a personal name probably meaning 'rising' or 'brightness.' The form זַרְחִי attaches the gentilic suffix -ִי (-î), meaning 'belonging to' or 'descendant of,' thus rendering 'of Zerah' or 'Zerahite.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term זַרְחִי appears primarily in lists designating clans within the Israelite tribal system, especially in genealogies for clarifying tribal inheritance and internal organization (e.g., Numbers 26:13; 1 Chronicles 2:4, 6). The term is always used in contexts tied to ancestral lineage and not geography. In English Bibles, this is sometimes rendered as 'Zerahite,' but older translations may use 'Zarchite.' The word strictly refers to members of the lineage derived from Zerah son of Judah (see Genesis 38:30). Care should be taken not to confuse this term with later ethnonyms such as 'Judean' or 'Jew,' as זַרְחִי is much more limited in scope and refers only to descendants of a particular ancestor within the tribe of Judah. Its use reflects the importance of patrilineal descent in Israelite identity and social structure, especially in the allocation of land and clan status.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
patronymically from זֶרַח; a Zarchite or descendant of Zerach; Zarchite.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זרח (z-r-ḥ) — rise, shine, emit light
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2224 | זָרַח | as shining forth |
| H2225 | זֶרַח | your shining-forth |
| H2226 | זֶרַח | to Shining-One |
| H2228 | זְרַחְיָה | and Yah-has-shone-forth |
| H249 | אֶזְרָח | native-born one |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2227-01 |
הַ/זַּרְחִ֑י | hazarechi | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Zarhite | the Zerahite | 4 |
H2227-02 |
לַ/זַּרְחִ֑י | lazarechi | HRd/Ngmsa |
of the Zarhites | to the Zerahite | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2227-01 |
Numbers 26:13 | הַ/זַּרְחִ֑י | hazarechi | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Zerahite | the Zerahite |
H2227-01 |
Numbers 26:20 | הַ/זַּרְחִֽי | hazarechi | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Zerahite | the Zerahite |
H2227-01 |
Joshua 7:17 | הַ/זַּרְחִ֑י | hazarechi | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Zarhite | the Zerahite |
H2227-01 |
Joshua 7:17 | הַ/זַּרְחִי֙ | hazarechi-2 | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Zarhite | the Zerahite |
H2227-02 |
1 Chronicles 27:11 | לַ/זַּרְחִ֑י | lazarechi | HRd/Ngmsa |
of the Zarhites | to the Zerahite |
H2227-02 |
1 Chronicles 27:13 | לַ/זַּרְחִ֑י | lazarechi | HRd/Ngmsa |
of the Zerahite | to the Zerahite |