1 Chronicles 7:30-40 Meaning: Why Is Serah Listed in Asher's Genealogy?
30The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah. Serah was their sister.
31The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith.
32Heber became the father of Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and Shua their sister.
33The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet.
34The sons of Shemer: Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
35The sons of Helem his brother: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal.
36The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah,
37Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera.
38The sons of Jether: Jephunneh, Pispa, and Ara.
39The sons of Ulla: Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia.
40All these were the children of Asher, heads of the fathers’ houses, choice and mighty men of valor, chief of the princes. The number of them listed by genealogy for service in war was twenty-six thousand men.
30The sons of Asher; Imnah, and Isuah, and Ishuai, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
31And the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel, who is the father of Birzavith.
32And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
33And the sons of Japhlet; Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet.
34And the sons of Shamer; Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
35And the sons of his brother Helem; Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
36The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,
37Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.
38And the sons of Jether; Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.
39And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia.
40All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father’s house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men.
30The sons of Asher: Imnah, and Ishvah, and Ishvi, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
31And the sons of Beriah: Heber, and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith.
32And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
33And the sons of Japhlet: Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet.
34And the sons of Shemer: Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
35And the sons of Helem his brother: Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
36The sons of Zophah: Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,
37Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.
38And the sons of Jether: Jephunneh, and Pispa, and Ara.
39And the sons of Ulla: Arah, and Hanniel, and Rizia.
40All these were the children of Asher, heads of the fathers’ houses, choice and mighty men of valor, chief of the princes. And the number of them reckoned by genealogy for service in war was twenty and six thousand men.
30Son of Asher: Imnah, and Ishve, and Ishvi, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
31And sons of Beriah: Heber, and Malchiel--he is father of Birzavith.
32And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
33And sons of Japhlet: Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath; these are sons of Japhlet.
34and sons of Shamer: Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
35And son of Helem his brother: Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
36Sons of Zophah: Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,
37Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.
38And sons of Jether: Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.
39And sons of Ulla: Arah, and Hanniel, and Rezia.
40All these are sons of Asher, heads of the house of the fathers, chosen ones, mighty in valour, heads of the princes, with their genealogy, for the host, for battle, their number is twenty and six thousand men.
30The sons of Asher: Jimnah, and Jishvah, and Jishvi, and Beriah; Serah their sister.
31And the sons of Beriah: Heber, and Malchiel, who is the father of Birzavith.
32And Heber begot Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
33And the sons of Japhlet: Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath; these are the sons of Japhlet.
34And the sons of Shemer: Ahi, and Rohgah, and Hubbah, and Aram.
35And the sons of his brother Helem: Zophah, and Jimna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
36The sons of Zophah: Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Jimrah,
37Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Jithran, and Beera.
38And the sons of Jether: Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.
39And the sons of Ulla: Arah, and Hanniel, and Rizia.
40All these were the sons of Asher, heads of fathers' houses, choice men, mighty of valour, chiefs of the princes. And their number according to their genealogy, registered as fit for service for war, was twenty-six thousand men.
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Asher's genealogy in 1 Chronicles 7:30-40 include his daughter Serah? A look at this unique detail and what it means for us today.
Context
First Chronicles was written for people returning from exile, helping them know who they were by remembering where they came from. This passage traces the family of Asher, one of Jacob's twelve sons. The list runs from Asher's own sons down several generations, ending with a count of 26,000 men ready for war. Most of the names appear only here, but one stands out: Serah, Asher's daughter. Women are almost never named in these records. Why is she here? That single detail turns this list of names into something more than a record.
Key Words
The Hebrew word translated “choice” is berurim, from a root meaning to purify or select. These were not just any men but chosen ones, set apart. The phrase “mighty men of valor” is gibbori chayil, speaking of strength and courage in battle. Yet right before these honors, the writer pauses to name Serah and Shua. The word for sister, achot, reminds us that women too are part of God’s family story. The same word appears in Genesis 46:17 where Serah is listed alongside her brothers. Her name may mean “the prince breathed” or “abundance,” but its exact meaning is less important than the fact that it is recorded at all. God’s genealogy does not skip over the ones the world might leave out.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have noticed Serah’s inclusion. Some early Jewish interpreters said Asher’s daughters were unusually beautiful and married well, which may explain her mention. Many modern readers see a broader truth: God’s covenant includes women as full participants. The Catholic and Orthodox traditions honor Serah among the righteous women of the Old Testament. Protestant commentators often point to her as a sign that God values each person, not only the prominent. The passage itself does not explain why she appears, but her presence invites us to wonder at God’s attention to every life.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that biblical genealogies are just boring lists of names with no spiritual value. In fact, these passages carefully record God’s work through families, and small details like Serah’s name carry weight. She appears in Genesis 46 and Numbers 26 as well, suggesting her importance was remembered across centuries. Far from being filler, genealogies ground our faith in real history and real people God loved.
Living This Out
You may feel like a footnote in someone else’s story. Your name is not famous, your work goes unnoticed. But this genealogy says God keeps records differently. He names the daughters. He remembers the ones who do not lead armies or head households. This week, you can rest in the truth that God knows your name. You are part of His family tree, and He has chosen you. You do not need to be a “mighty man of valor” to matter to Him. Serah got one line, and that was enough.
Main takeaway: God remembers those the world forgets, and He writes their names into His family story forever.
For Families
For ages 5-8
This passage lists the names of a family from a long time ago. One special name is Serah, a girl. God made sure her name was written down, because every person matters to Him.
For ages 9-12
Genealogies might seem boring, but they show that God is faithful to families over many years. Serah is mentioned, which is unusual because women rarely appear. It tells us that God values everyone, not just the famous or powerful. Your name matters to God too.
Questions People Ask
Why is Serah included in the genealogy of Asher?
No one knows for certain, but her repeated mention in Genesis and Numbers suggests she held a special place in the family memory. Some rabbinic traditions say she was notable for her beauty or wisdom. Her inclusion reminds us that God's covenant includes women.
What does "choice and mighty men of valor" mean?
The Hebrew words berurim (choice) and gibbori chayil (mighty of strength) indicate these were elite warriors, leaders among the tribe. The phrase shows that Asher's descendants were respected and capable fighters.
How many people are listed in this genealogy?
The passage ends with 26,000 men fit for war. The named individuals represent heads of families; the total number includes all the men of fighting age in the tribe.
Are there other women named in biblical genealogies?
Yes, but rarely. Women like Serah, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Mary appear in genealogies for specific reasons, often connected to God's redemptive plan. Their presence shows that God works through ordinary people, both men and women.
What is the meaning of the name Serah?
Serah may mean "the prince breathed" or "abundance." Its exact meaning is uncertain, but the fact that she is named twice in the Old Testament suggests she was remembered across generations.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study