Zarach means to rise, to shine, or to break forth as light — most commonly used of the sun rising. It can also describe leprosy breaking out on skin or light bursting forth in a new day. It is a word of emergence, of something hidden becoming visible, of darkness giving way to radiance.
Zarach carries powerful eschatological and messianic significance. Malachi 4:2 promises that 'for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings' — using zarach for the messianic dawn. Numbers 24:17 prophecies a 'star rising out of Jacob.' Isaiah 60:1-2 calls Jerusalem to arise and shine (zarach) because the glory of God has risen upon her. The NT sees Jesus as the fulfillment: He is the Light of the world who rose from the dead at dawn.