שֶׂרַח
𐤔𐤓𐤇
Serach
H8294 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper name referring to a female member of the Israelite tribal lineage, specifically identified as a daughter of Asher. The primary lexical meaning is as a personal name, without an identifiable appellative meaning in attested biblical usage. In later and extra-biblical tradition, the name is sometimes associated homophonically with words meaning 'abundance' or 'superfluity,' but no such sense can be demonstrated etymologically or contextually within the Hebrew Bible.
Semantic Range
personal name (female), clan or tribal identifier; later, legendary or symbolic figure
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root סרח (ס־ר־ח), which can mean 'to extend,' 'overflow,' or 'be superfluous.' However, as a proper name, שֶׂרַח (Serach) does not convey these lexical senses in its attested usage and likely functions as a theophoric or descriptive name unrelated to the common noun. The form is treated as a variant spelling from the root, possibly by permutation or adaptation, or etymology uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שֶׂרַח (Serach) appears in Genesis 46:17 and Numbers 26:46 as a daughter of Asher, listed among the Israelite clans who went to Egypt with Jacob. She is unique among daughters named in the genealogies, suggesting special status or memory within clan tradition. There is no evidence the name was intended to signify 'superfluity' or 'abundance' in its biblical occurrences; these connotations are later traditional or homiletical developments. The Septuagint renders the name Σαραχ (Sarach), and some English translations conflate or confuse it with 'Sarah,' but these are later confusions and not supported by the Hebrew texts. In rabbinic literature, Serach becomes an important legendary figure, but this does not reflect the biblical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
by permutation for סֶרַח; superfluity; Serach, an Israelitess; Sarah, Serah.
Bantu Hebrew
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סרח (s-r-ḥ) — to extend, to overflow, to be superfluous, to surpass
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8294-02 |
וְ/שֶׂ֣רַח | veserach | HC/Np |
and Serah | and Serach | 2 |
H8294-01 |
שָֽׂרַח | sarach | HNp |
was Serah | Serach | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8294-02 |
Genesis 46:17 | וְ/שֶׂ֣רַח | veserach | HC/Np |
and Serah | and Serach |
H8294-01 |
Numbers 26:46 | שָֽׂרַח | sarach | HNp |
was Serah | Serach |
H8294-02 |
1 Chronicles 7:30 | וְ/שֶׂ֥רַח | veserach | HC/Np |
and Serah | and Serach |