דָּרַע (da.ra)
da.ra
Dara
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The Hebrew name דָּרַע, transliterated as Dara, appears only once in the Old Testament, specifically in 1 Chronicles 2:6. It identifies a man from the tribe of Judah who lived during the period before Israel established its monarchy. He is recorded as a son of Zerah and one of the brothers of notable figures such as Ethan and Heman.
The name itself carries the meaning "the arm." While this might seem like a simple physical descriptor, in biblical naming conventions, it often symbolized strength or capability. As a proper noun here, it serves primarily to anchor Dara within the genealogical records of Judah, linking him to his father and siblings without further narrative detail.
Its extreme rarity makes this entry unique among Hebrew names. With only a single occurrence in the entire canon, it does not develop a broader theological theme or lexical range. Instead, it stands as a quiet marker in the lineage of Judah, preserving the memory of an individual who, though not a central character, was part of the ancestral fabric leading to later biblical figures.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Dara appears just once in Scripture, tucked into a list of sons in 1 Chronicles 2:6. It means "the arm," a word that often symbolized strength or capability in biblical culture. While the text gives us no story about him, his inclusion reminds us that God remembers every member of His people, not only those who lead armies or speak from pulpits.
Genealogies can feel dry, but they are actually proof of God’s faithfulness across generations. Dara was part of the tribe of Judah, the line through which Jesus would eventually come. This single name shows that ordinary lives matter to God. He weaves together families, preserving their memory so that later generations know they belong to a larger story.
When you feel overlooked or insignificant, remember Dara. His name was kept alive in Scripture simply because he existed and was part of God’s chosen lineage. You are known by name to God, and your place in His family is secure, regardless of how visible or quiet your life may seem to others.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Dara1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וָ/דָ֖רַע1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 2:6
The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara—five of them in all.
This verse lists Dara as one of the five sons of Zerah, anchoring him firmly within the tribal structure of Judah and confirming his place in the ancestral line.