Genesis 38:27

The Birth of Perez and Zerah

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

Genesis 38:27 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 38:27

And it came to pass in the time of her travail
When her time to bring forth was come, and her pains were on her, and her midwife with her: that, behold, twins [were] in her womb;
which the midwife could discover before the birth of either.

Genesis 38:27 In-Context

25 As she was being brought out, Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Please examine them. Whose seal and cord and staff are these?”

26 Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.

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

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

29 But when he pulled his hand back and his brother came out, she said, “You have broken out first!” So he was named Perez.