Genesis 38:24-30

24 About three months later Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant.” Judah said, “Bring her out and have her burned to death!”

25 As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. “I am pregnant by the man who owns these,” she said. And she added, “See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are.”

26 Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn’t give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not sleep with her again.

27 When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.

28 As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, “This one came out first.”

29 But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, “So this is how you have broken out!” And he was named Perez.^[a]

30 Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out. And he was named Zerah.^[b]

Genesis 38:24-30 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 38

This chapter is wholly taken up with matters relating to Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, from whom the Jews have their name, and from whom Christ sprung: it treats of his marriage with a Canaanitess, his children by her, their character and end, Ge 38:1-11; of his incest with his daughter-in-law, though unknown by him, Ge 38:12-23; of his resentment against her, when he heard she was with child, and his confusion when he found it was by himself, Ge 38:24-26; and of the birth of twins by her, named Pharez and Zarah, Ge 38:27-30.

Cross References

• 1. Leviticus 20:10,14; Leviticus 21:9; Deuteronomy 22:21,22; Joshua 7:25; Judges 15:6; 1 Samuel 31:12; Job 31:11,28; Ezekiel 16:38
• 2. S ver 18
• 3. 1 Samuel 24:17
• 4. S ver 11
• 5. Genesis 25:24
• 6. S Genesis 35:17
• 7. ver 30
• 8. Genesis 25:26
• 9. Genesis 46:12; Numbers 26:20,21; Ruth 4:12,18; 2 Samuel 5:20; 2 Samuel 6:8; 1 Chronicles 2:4; 1 Chronicles 9:4; Isaiah 28:21; Matthew 1:3
• 10. ver 28
• 11. Genesis 46:12; 1 Chronicles 2:4; Nehemiah 11:24

Footnotes

• [a]. "Perez" means "breaking out."
• [b]. "Zerah" can mean "scarlet" or "brightness."