Interesting Facts

• Serach was the daughter of Hadurah and Malkiel, the son of Elam, the son of Shem.
• After Malkiel’s death, Serach’s mother Hadurah married Asher, the son of Jacob.
• Serach was brought with her mother to the land of Canaan and was raised in Jacob’s house.
• She was three years old when she came to Jacob’s house.
• Serach was described as being of a comely appearance and a woman of sense.
• She walked in the sanctified ways of the children of Jacob and lacked nothing, and the Lord gave her wisdom and understanding.
• Serach knew how to play upon the harp.
• The sons of Jacob enlisted Serach to play the harp and sing to their father Jacob the news that Joseph was alive and ruling in Egypt, as they feared his initial disbelief .
• Jacob was gladdened by Serach’s words and the spirit of God came upon him, confirming the truth of her message .
• Jacob blessed Serach, wishing that death would never prevail over her for reviving his spirit .

Genealogy

• Serach’s father was Malkiel, the son of Elam, who was the son of Shem.
• Her mother was Hadurah, who was previously married to Malkiel and later became the wife of Asher, the son of Jacob.
• Through her mother’s marriage to Asher, Serach became the stepdaughter of Asher and was raised in the household of her grandfather, Jacob.
• Serach had no mentioned siblings from her father, Malkiel.
• From her mother’s marriage to Asher, Serach had four half-brothers: Yimnah, Yishvah, Yishvi, and Beriah. Asher also had a previous wife, Adon, who died childless.

Historical Context

Serach’s early life would have been marked by the transitions of her mother’s marriages. She was born to Malkiel, a descendant of Shem, indicating a connection to the lineage following the flood. After Malkiel’s death, her mother married Asher, one of the sons of Jacob, and brought Serach to live in the land of Canaan within Jacob’s household. This placed Serach within the burgeoning family of Jacob, who were understood to be following a distinct path guided by their God. The cultural context would have involved the traditions and beliefs passed down through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Serach’s upbringing in Jacob’s house suggests she was likely exposed to their monotheistic faith and their customs, as highlighted by the description of her walking in the sanctified ways of Jacob’s children. The later part of her known narrative occurs when Jacob is in deep mourning for Joseph, believed to be dead . The sons of Jacob’s concern about delivering news that might overwhelm their father reflects the strong patriarchal structure and the importance of family bonds within their society.

Narrative

Serach’s primary role in the narrative, as presented in the sources, occurs during Jacob’s intense mourning for his son Joseph . When the sons of Jacob returned from Egypt with the astonishing news that Joseph was alive and ruling there, they were hesitant about how to convey this to their aged father, fearing his disbelief and distress. Recognizing Serach’s musical talent and her gentle nature, they devised a plan to use her to prepare Jacob for the news. They instructed her to play the harp and sing words revealing that her uncle Joseph was alive and ruling in Egypt . Serach diligently followed their instructions, and her performance had a profound effect on Jacob . He listened intently, and the sweetness of her words brought joy to his heart. The spirit of God came upon Jacob, confirming the truth of Serach’s message . In gratitude, Jacob blessed Serach, expressing his wish for her immortality as she had revived his spirit . This episode highlights Serach’s character as someone who is perceived as good and subtle, possessing musical talent, and capable of conveying sensitive information in a way that could be received positively. Her actions directly contributed to alleviating Jacob’s grief and facilitated the revelation of Joseph’s true fate . While her presence in the earlier parts of the genealogical information establishes her place within Jacob’s extended family, this specific narrative moment showcases her unique contribution to a significant event in their family history.