Numbers 26:46 — Word Study
WLCוְשֵׁ֥ם בַּת־ אָשֵׁ֖ר שָֽׂרַח׃
BSAAnd the nameshêm [identity, character] of Asher’sʼÂshêr [the eighth son of Jacob] daughterbath [female child, or woman] was SerahSerach [Sarah, the prince breathed]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְשֵׁ֥ם | and [the] name of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| בַּת־ | [the] daughter of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| אָשֵׁ֖ר | Asher | Noun proper masculine |
| שָֽׂרַח׃ | [was] Serah | Noun proper feminine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And the name of Asher’s daughter was Serah. |
| KJV | And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah. |
| ASV | And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. |
| YLT | And the name of the daughter of Asher [is] Sarah. |
| WEB | The name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. |
| BBE | And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. |
All translations present the same wording for this verse.
The sentence is straightforward, consisting of a main clause that clearly identifies Serah as the daughter of Asher.
4 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, Poole, Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Numbers 26:46
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Descendants of Ashergenerated
Numbers 26:46 provides a brief genealogical note about Asher, one of the sons of Jacob. This verse identifies his daughter, Serah, amidst a list of the descendants of the tribes of Israel, emphasizing the importance of lineage and family heritage in the biblical narrative. The mention of Serah highlights the role of women in these genealogies, which often focus primarily on male descendants.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 46:17 | The children of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שָֽׂרַח, Sa.rachgenerated
The word שָֽׂרַח (Serach) is a proper feminine noun, indicating a specific individual, the daughter of Asher. The name is derived from a root meaning 'to breathe' or 'to be breathed', which can imply a connection to royalty or nobility, as seen in its interpretation as 'the prince breathed'.
Serah is mentioned only a few times in the Bible, specifically in genealogical contexts, which underscores her significance within her family line and the tribe of Asher. The use of her name here serves to preserve her identity and honor within the larger narrative of the Israelites.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree that the verse identifies Asher's daughter as Serah.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb is implied in the structure, with the main focus on the noun phrases: וְשֵׁ֥ם (and the name) and בַּת־אָשֵׁ֖ר (of Asher’s daughter). The sentence is straightforward, presenting the subject and its identification without complex clauses.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the name and identity of Serah, highlighting her significance as a member of the tribe of Asher.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שָֽׂרַח as σαρα, which aligns with the Hebrew meaning but reflects the Greek linguistic structure. This choice indicates a preservation of the name's identity while adapting it for a Greek-speaking audience.
The use of ὄνομα for שֵׁם emphasizes the importance of names in conveying identity and character in both Hebrew and Greek contexts.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Numbers 26:46 tells us that Asher had a daughter named Serah. This verse is part of a list that details the descendants of the tribes of Israel, showing how important it is to remember family names and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The name Serah can be interpreted as 'the prince breathed', indicating a connection to nobility or significance within her family.
Genealogies establish identity, heritage, and the fulfillment of God's promises through specific family lines, which is crucial for understanding biblical history.
The mention of Serah, despite the focus on male descendants, highlights the importance of women in the lineage of Israel and acknowledges their contributions to the family narrative.
Names often carry significant meanings and reflect the character or identity of individuals, providing insight into their roles in the biblical story.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does the name Serah teach us about the importance of identity in our lives?
- How can understanding genealogies in the Bible enhance our appreciation for the narrative of God's people?
- In what ways can we honor the legacy of our own family names and histories?
- How can we recognize and value the contributions of women in our own family stories?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Numbers 26:46 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 26 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWho seems to be here mentioned because she was a woman of masculine wisdom, or courage, or other virtue.
Read Matthew Poole on Numbers 26 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5–51. The twelve secular tribes are numbered, the sacred tribe of Levi being omitted. The names are based upon Genesis 46:8-27, but with the addition of Ephraim and Manasseh, who, having been born in Egypt, could not be reckoned in Gen. among those who went down into Egypt. The total number at the first census, thirty-eight years before (ch. 1) was 603,550; now it Isaiah 601,730. The order of the tribes is the same, except that Manasseh (Numbers 26:29-34) precedes Ephraim (Numbers 26:35-37). Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Ephraim and Naphtali have decreased in numbers, while the other seven have increased. The impossibility of the figures is shewn in note on Numbers 1:46.
Read Cambridge on Numbers 26 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible44-47. The children of Asher — This passage agrees with Genesis 46:17 and 1 Chronicles 7:30, except that Ishua, not being a founder, is dropped.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Numbers 26 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
And the name of Asher’s daughter was Serah.
The name of the daughter of Asher was Serah.
And the name of Asher’s daughter was Serah.
Now the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah.
Tyndale line
And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.
And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah.
And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah.
And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.
And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.
Strictly literal
And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah.
And the name of the daughter of Asher [is] Sarah.
And the name of the daughter of Asher [is] Sarah.
And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serach.
The name of Asher's daughter was Serah.
From the Latin
And the name of the daughter of Aser, was Sara.
Simplified
The name of Asher's daughter was Serah.
And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is confirmed by the Septuagint and the Samaritan Pentateuch, both of which agree word for word with the Hebrew text. This consistency across witnesses highlights the reliability of the genealogical record in this verse.
וְשֵׁ֥ם בַּת־ אָשֵׁ֖ר שָֽׂרַח׃
4 of the 4 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ושׁם בת אשׁר שׂרח
Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Numbers 26:46
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.
שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)
of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it
usu. of pers.
= reputation
esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons
name, as designation of God
of false gods, use forbidden
= memorial, monument
base
H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)
8034 shem shame
a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea
of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an
appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by
implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,
(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
see HEBREW for 07760
see HEBREW for 08064
שֵׁם (shem) — name.
1) name
1a) name
1b) reputation, fame, glory
1c) the Name (as designation of God)
1d) memorial, monument
Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
בַּת (bat) means 'daughter' and encompasses a range of meanings including female child, young women, and even personifications of cities or inhabitants. It can also refer to villages in certain contexts. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and is used in various figurative senses, such as 'branch' or 'apple of the eye.'
בַּת 587 n.f. daughter
daughter, female child
young women, women
with name of city, land, or people, poet. personif. of that city or inhabitants
pl. = villages, after name of city
in phrases denoting character, quality, etc.
ostrich
fig.
of vine = branch
as n. relat.
base
H1323 בַּת daughter . daughter, female child
. young women, women
. with name of city, land, or people, poet. personif. of that city or inhabitants
. pl. = villages, after name of city
. in phrases denoting character, quality, etc.
. ostrich
. fig.
. of vine = branch
. as n. relat.
1323 bath bath
from 1129 (as feminine of 1121); a daughter (used in the same
wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and
figuratively):--apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter,
X first, X old, + owl, town, village.
see HEBREW for 01129
see HEBREW for 01121
בַּת (bat) — daughter.
: daughter
1) daughter
1a) daughter, girl, adopted daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, granddaughters, female child, cousin
1a1) as polite address
1a2) as designation of women of a particular place
2) young women, women
1a3) as personification
1a4) daughter-villages
1a5) description of character
Also means: bat (בַּת ": village" H1323H)
בַּת (bat) — daughter: village.
: village
1) daughter
1a) daughter, girl, adopted daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, granddaughters, female child, cousin
1a1) as polite address
1a2) as designation of women of a particular place
2) young women, women
1a3) as personification
1a4) daughter-villages
1a5) description of character
בַּת (bat) — Bath (Shua).
A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2;
daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063);
mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אָשֵׁר (Asher) refers to a son of Jacob and Zilpah, as well as the tribe descended from him. The name means 'happy' and is also associated with a city east of Shechem. The entries note that Asher is linked to the Hebrew root for happiness, but there is a mention of potential translations related to wood in Ezekiel.
אָשֵׁר n.pr.m. Asher (happy one, Felix)
son of Jacob and Zilpah
the tribe
n.pr.loc. city E. of Shechem
base
H836 אָשֵׁר Asher
836 'Asher aw-share'
from 833, happy; Asher, a son of Jacob, and the tribe
descended from him, with its territory; also a place in
Palestine:--Asher
see HEBREW for 0833
אָשֵׁר (a.sher) — Asher.
A man of the tribe of Asher living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.13;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Zilpah (H2153);
brother of: Gad (H1410);
half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);
father of: Imnah (H3232), Ishvah (H3438), Ishvi (H3440), Beriah (H1283) and Serah (H8294); also translated "pine" or "cypress wood" at Ezk.27.6(?); Ashurite at 2Sa.2.9(?);
§ Asher = "happy"
1) son of Jacob and Zilpah
2) the tribe descended from Asher
3) a city east of Shechem in Manasseh
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Asher
Happy, Jacob’s eigth son; his mother was Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid (Gen. 30:13). Of the tribe founded by him nothing is recorded beyond its holding a place in the list of the tribes (35:26; 46:17; Ex. 1:4, etc.) It increased in numbers twenty-nine percent, during the thirty-eight years’ wanderings. The place of this tribe during the march through the desert was between Dan and Naphtali (Num. 2:27). The boundaries of the inheritance given to it, which contained some of the richest soil in Palestine, and the names of its towns, are recorded in Josh. 19:24-31; Judg. 1:31, 32. Asher and Simeon were the only tribes west of…
a place which formed one boundary of the tribe of Manasseh on the south. (Joshua 17:7) Mr. Porter suggests that Teyasir may be the Asher of Manasseh. Handbook , p.348.
The eighth son of Jacob and second of Zilpah, Ge 30:13 35:26. On entering Canaan his tribe was the fifth in order, numbering fifty-three thousand four hundred. The portion of Asher lay along the seaboard, having Levanon and Zidon on the north, Carmel and the tribe of Issachar on the south, and Zebulun and Naphtali on the east. It was fruitful in grain, wine, oil, and minerals, Ge 49:20 De 33:24,25. How much of the Phoenician coast was included is uncertain, Jos 19:25,28; but the Asherites were unable to expel the Canaanites, and dwelt in part among them, Jud 1:31,32. They are honorably mentioned in the history of…
happiness
שֶׂ֫רַח (Serach) refers to a woman from the tribe of Asher, noted in the context of the Israelites in Egypt and the Wilderness. She is mentioned in Genesis 46:17 as the daughter of Asher and sister to several other figures. The name may also be linked to the meaning 'the prince breathed,' and it is sometimes rendered as 'Sarah'.
שֶׂ֫רַח n.pr.f. daughter of Asher
base
H8294 שֶׂ֫רַח daughter of Asher
8294 Serach seh'-rakh
by permutation for 5629; superfluity; Serach, an
Israelitess:--Sarah, Serah.
see HEBREW for 05629
שֶׂ֫רַח, שָׂ֫רַח (se.rach) — Serah.
A woman of the tribe of Asher living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.17;
daughter of: Asher (H0836);
sister of: Imnah (H3232), Ishvah (H3438), Ishvi (H3440) and Beriah (H1283)
§ Serah = "the prince breathed"
1) daughter of Asher
1a) also 'Sarah'
N-proper — Noun proper feminineHNpf
Serah
Abundance; princess, the daughter of Asher and grand-daughter of Jacob (Gen. 46:17); called also Sarah (Num. 26:46; R.V., “Serah”).
the daughter of Asher, (Genesis 46:17; 1 Chronicles 7:30) called in (Numbers 26:46) SARAH. (B.C. about 1700.)