Genesis 38:30

30 Afterward, his brother with the red thread on his hand came out, and he was named Zerah.

Genesis 38:30 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 38:30

And afterward came out his brother that had the scarlet
thread upon his hand
By which it was known that he so far came out first; which confirms the remarkable birth of his brother, who notwithstanding got the start of him: and his name was called Zarah;
not from "rising", or his coming forth like the rising sun, as is usually observed; but rather from his return, or drawing back his hand, and as it were returning to his mother's womb; and so, according to Hillerus ^F12, Zarah, by a transposition of letters, comes from (rzx) "Chazar", to return: but Jarchi thinks he had his name from the refulgent appearance of the scarlet thread on his wrist.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 Onomastic. Sacr. p. 372.

Genesis 38:30 In-Context

28 At birth, one boy put out his hand, and the midwife took it and tied a red thread on his hand, saying, "This one came out first."

29 As soon as he pulled his hand back, his brother came out, and she said, "You've burst out on your own." So he was named Perez.

30 Afterward, his brother with the red thread on his hand came out, and he was named Zerah.

Footnotes

• [a] Or dawn