Genesis 38:30

30 Then the baby with the scarlet string on his wrist was born, 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 While she was in labor, one of the babies reached out his hand. The midwife grabbed it and tied a scarlet string around the child’s wrist, announcing, “This one came out first.”

29 But then he pulled back his hand, and out came his brother! “What!” the midwife exclaimed. “How did you break out first?” So he was named Perez.

30 Then the baby with the scarlet string on his wrist was born, and he was named Zerah.

Footnotes

• [a]. Zerah means “scarlet” or “brightness.”