Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 38:27
And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins [were] in her womb.
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verses 27-30
As had Rebekah before her, Tamar bore twin sons (Ge 25:24). The birth of these twins was abnormal and dangerous. The hand of one came forth first, and the midwife tied a scarlet thread about it. Then this hand was withdrawn into the birth canal, and the other twin was born before the one whose hand came first. Both twins, as well as the mother, survived this experience.
The first-born twin was named “Pharez,” which means “breach.” The second was named “Zarah,” which means “splendor.”
This narrative of Judah’s life reveals that he was self-willed, sensual, self-righteous, and devious. These faulty character traits must be removed from his life. God so moved in his life that his sin was publicly exposed, with all its ugly consequences. The implication is that he repented promptly, and that God blessed his repentant spirit. God chose the lineage of Judah as the one to bring Messiah into the world.
This is a beautiful illustration of God’s grace toward sinful man. “All have sinned” (Ro 3:23) is just as true today as when these words were written. Although God does not condone sin in the life of any of his children, He does not demand sinless perfection in His child before He will use and bless. He supplies the righteousness He demands, in the Person and ministry of Him who is the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah” (Re 5:5).
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
27. Behold twins were in her womb. Although both Judah obtained pardon for his error, and Tamar for her wicked contrivance; yet the Lord, in order to humble them, caused a prodigy to take place in the birth. Something similar had before happened in the case of Jacob and Esau, but for a different reason: as we know that prodigies sometimes portend good, sometimes evil. Here, however, there is no doubt that the twins, in their very birth, bring with them marks of their parents’ infamy. For it was both profitable to themselves that the memory of their shame should be renewed, and it served as a public example, that such a crime should be branded with eternal disgrace. There is an ambiguity in the meaning of the midwife’s words. Some suppose the “breaking forth” to apply to the membrane of the womb, (143) which is broken when the foetus comes forth. Others more correctly suppose, that the midwife wondered how Pharez, having broken through the barrier interposed, should have come out first; for his brother, who had preceded him, was, as an intervening wall, opposed to him. To some the expression appears to be an imprecation; as if it had been said, “Let the blame of the rupture be upon thee.” But Moses, so far as I can judge, intends to point out nothing more, than that a prodigy took place at the birth.
(143) “ Secundinis,” — secundina is the membrane which incluses the foetus during the period of gestation; and which, being rent at the protrusion of the child, comes away as part of the after-birth. The whole is called secundine in English, and in French “ arriere faix.” — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
‘And it happened that in the time of her labour pains, behold, twins were in her womb. And it happened that when she was enduring her suffering one put out his hand, and the midwife took and bound on his hand a scarlet thread, saying, “This came out first.” And it happened, that as he drew back his hand, behold his brother came out. And she said, “Why have you made a breach for yourself?” That is why his name was called Perez. And afterwards his brother came out, he who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was called Zerah.’
The happenings at the birth of her children were as confusing as the story of their conception, and it was so unusual that it was remembered in detail. It was no doubt looked on as significant for the future.
“Perez”, that is ‘made a breach.’ From him were descended the Perezites (Num 26:20). He was the father of Hezron and Hamul (Gen 46:12) who were numbered among ‘the seventy’ (Gen 46:27) replacing Er and Onan.
“Zerah”, that is ‘coming forth (especially of the sun)’. From him were descended the Zerahites (Num 26:20) among whom was Achan who withheld the ‘devoted’ thing (Joshua 7).
So after his betrayal of Joseph, Judah is shown to have gone from sin to sin. Truly if we sow the wind we will reap the whirlwind.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 38:27 And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins [were] in her womb.
Ver. 27. Behold, twins were in her womb. ] Betokening two peoples pertaining to Christ. The Jews first put forth their hand, as it were, willing to be justified by their works, and to regenerate themselves. For this, they were bound with a scarlet thread – condemned by the law: wherefore, pulling back their hand, they fell from God. Then came forth Pharez, the breach-maker, that is, the violent and valiant Gentiles; who took the first birthright and kingdom by force: who when they are fully born, then shall the Jews come forth again. Rom 11:11 ; Rom 11:25-26 And that this is not far off, hear what a worthy divine, a yet living, saith: In Dan 12:11 we have a prophecy of the final restoration of the Jews, and the time is expressed, which is 1290 years after the ceasing of the daily sacrifice, and the setting up of the abomination of desolation, which is conceived to be in Julian’s time; who did essay to rebuild the Temple of the Jews, which was an abomination to God; who therefore destroyed it by fire out of the earth, tearing up the very foundation thereof, to the nethermost stone. This was Anno Dom. 360, to which if you add 1290 years, it will pitch this calculation upon the year 1650. Before this, Babylon must down, &c.
a Mr Case’s God’s Wait. to be Grac., p. 58.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Gen 38:27-30
27It came about at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were twins in her womb. 28Moreover, it took place while she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” 29But it came about as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out. Then she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” So he was named Perez. 30Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand; and he was named Zerah.
Gen 38:27 “there were twins in her womb” It amazes me how often the women of these Patriarchs in Genesis are barren and then how often they have twins. God is acting in recurrent ways! The genealogies belong to Him!
Gen 38:28 “a scarlet thread on his hand” The exact reason for this thread is uncertain. It may have been something very common such as the only convenient thing on hand or it may have been a cultural practice of that day. Many have asserted that it was a sign or symbol of redemption which will be followed throughout the entire OT (i.e., Jos 2:18; Jos 2:21). I am personally nervous about these allegorical types of interpretations. It is surely an eyewitness detail.
Gen 38:29 “Perez” This name (BDB 829 II) means “breach” or “bursting forth” (BDB 829 I).
Gen 38:30 “Zerah” This name (BDB 280 II) means “to rise” or “come forth” (BDB 280) from the VERB form. The AB footnote, p. 297, says the meaning comes from “shining” (BDB 280, found only in Isa 60:3) and is the same consonantal root and denotes a brightly-colored thread (also note, Jewish Study Bible, p. 78).
The identification of the firstborn was significant because of the inheritance rights. However, in the special line (i.e., Messianic line) of patriarchal lineage, God’s choice, not man’s, is evident! God has a universal, redemptive plan that is being worked out in the family of Abraham (cf. Gen 3:15; Gen 12:3 c; Exo 19:5 c; Isaiah, Micah, Jonah).
In a literary sense this chapter functions like the book of Ruth, giving genealogical material for the line of Judah, later family of Jesse, father of David. There were Gentiles, even Canaanites in the line of King David (cf. Ruth)!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
l. Why is it significant that Judah left his brothers and moved to the Canaanite area to the south?
2. Is Judah’s marriage to this Canaanite woman condemned in the Scriptures?
3. Why was Judah afraid to give Tamar his third son?
4. How can we understand Tamar’s acts? What could be their possible purpose?
5. Is there any significance to the scarlet thread mentioned in Gen 38:28?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Reciprocal: Num 26:20 – Pharez Mat 1:3 – Judas