ZARA (Hebr. Zerah). - Names of various personages of the Old Testament.
1. A "Cushite" king, who invaded Palestine at the time of King Asa (v.), suffering a grave defeat near Mareshah (II Chron. 14, 9-15).
In this text there is mention of an army of one million soldiers with 300 war chariots totally routed; the figure, if it is critically exact, must be taken in the sense of "a great multitude."
Given the tone of the narrative and the fact that it is read only in the little-esteemed Chronicler, not a few rationalists (beginning with Wellhausen, Stade, Maspero, etc.) deny the reality of the event. Those who recognize its historical reliability, guided by a certain onomastic affinity, think of an Osorkon or Serakon of the XXII Egyptian dynasty. The silence of the profane sources is explained by the fact that little is known of this dynasty (ca. 930-730 B.C.), which was opposed by invasions of Libyans and Ethiopians and had Bubastis as its center. In this case the term "Cushite" or "Ethiopian" is explained by a certain analogy with the pharaoh Taharqa (v.). Others, with greater verisimilitude, think of an adventurer at the head of Arab hordes coming from the coasts of the Red Sea, that is, from ancient Chus (v.).
2. Grandson of Esau and son of Reuel (Gen. 36, 13, 17; I Chron. 1, 37). 3. Son of Judah, who went down to Egypt with Jacob (Gen. 38, 39; 46, 12; I Chron. 2, 4; Jude. 7, 17, 24). 4. Son of the patriarch Simeon (Num. 26, 13; I Chron. 4, 24). 5. Levite, son of Addo and father of Iethrai (I Chron. 6, 21). 6. Father of Jobab, Edomite king, descendant of Esau (Gen. 36, 33).
Angelo Penna