Genèse 38:30

30 Ensuite son frère sortit, qui avait à sa main le fil écarlate, et on le nomma Zarach.

Genèse 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.


FOOTNOTES:

F12 Onomastic. Sacr. p. 372.

Genèse 38:30 In-Context

28 Et pendant qu'elle enfantait, l'un d'eux donna la main, et la sage-femme la prit et y lia un fil écarlate, en disant: Celui-ci est sorti le premier.
29 Mais comme il retira sa main, voici, son frère sortit. Et elle dit: Quelle brèche tu as faite! La brèche soit sur toi! Et on le nomma Pharets (brèche).
30 Ensuite son frère sortit, qui avait à sa main le fil écarlate, et on le nomma Zarach.
The Ostervald translation is in the public domain.