And the sons of Zerah; Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all.
Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara. These five are here stated to be the sons of Zerah -
i.e., of Ezra-whence they were called Ezrahites, (1 Kings 4:31). In that passage they are called "the sons of Mahol," which, however, is to be taken not as a proper name, but appellatively for 'sons of music, dancing,' etc. The traditional fame of their great sagacity and acquirements had descended to the time of Solomon, and formed a standard of comparison for showing the superior wisdom of that monarch. Jewish writers say that they were looked up to as prophets by their countrymen during the abode an Egypt.