שֶׂ֫רַח, שָׂ֫רַח (se.rach)
se.rach
Serah
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Serah refers to a woman from the tribe of Asher who appears in Genesis and Numbers. She is identified as the daughter of Asher and sister to Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah. Her name first surfaces in the genealogical list of Jacob’s family entering Egypt (Genesis 46:17) and reappears in Chronicles when listing the descendants of Asher.
Lexical sources note that Serah means "the prince breathed." The text also records an alternative spelling, Sarah, linking her to a more familiar biblical name. Despite her limited mentions, she stands out as one of the few women named individually in these tribal lists, marking her presence within the lineage of Israel.
Her appearance in Scripture highlights the inclusion of women in the recording of ancestral lines. While many names in these passages are brief, Serah’s specific identification suggests a recognized role or memory within the tribe of Asher. Her name serves as a reminder of the individuals who carried forward the family history during the formative years of Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you read through the long lists of names in Genesis or Chronicles, it is easy to feel like these are just dry records of ancestry. Yet here we find Serah, a woman named specifically as the sister of Asher’s sons. Her presence reminds us that God sees and remembers each person in His family, not just the heads of households.
This small detail invites you to consider your own place in God’s story. You are known by name, valued for who you are, and included in the lineage of faith. Even when your role seems quiet or behind the scenes, you matter deeply to Him.
Let this encourage you today. Your life is part of a larger narrative that God is writing. Trust that He has placed you exactly where you need to be, with purpose and dignity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Serah2×
- [was] Serah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָֽׂרַח\׃1×
- וְ/שֶׂ֥רַח1×
- וְ/שֶׂ֣רַח1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 46:17
The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and Serah their sister. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel.
This verse introduces Serah as part of the family entering Egypt, highlighting her inclusion in the foundational moment of Israel's descent.
-
Numbers 26:46
The name of the daughter of Asher was Serah.
Here she is identified again during the census, showing that her name was preserved across generations within the tribe of Asher.
-
I Chronicles 7:30
The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah. Serah was their sister.
The chronicler repeats her name centuries later, confirming that women were intentionally recorded in the tribal records of Israel.