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The midwife grabbed it and tied a scarlet string around the child’s wrist, announcing, “This one came out first.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/38.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/38.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when she travailed, that <i>the one</i> put out <i>his</i> hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/38.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And so it was, when she was giving birth, that <i>the one</i> put out <i>his</i> hand; and the midwife took a scarlet <i>thread</i> and bound it on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Moreover, it took place while she was giving birth, that one <i>baby</i> put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet <i>thread</i> on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Moreover, 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, &#8220This one came out first.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Moreover, it took place while she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet <i>thread</i> on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And it happened, while she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet <i>thread</i> on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And when she was in labor, one [baby] put out his hand, and the midwife took his hand and tied a scarlet thread on it, saying, “This one was born first.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand, and the midwife took it and tied a scarlet thread around it, announcing, “This one came out first.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand, and the midwife took it and tied a scarlet thread around it, announcing, &#8220This one came out first.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/38.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when she travailed, that one put out a hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/38.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when she travailed, that one put out a hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand. The midwife took a piece of red yarn, tied it on his wrist, and said, "This one came out first."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/38.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />While she was in labor, one of them put out an arm; the midwife caught it, tied a red thread around it, and said, "This one was born first." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/38.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />While she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand, so the midwife grabbed it and tied something scarlet around his hand, observing, "This one came out first."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/38.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />While she was giving birth, one child put out his hand, and the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his hand, saying, "This one came out first."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />As she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his hand, saying, "This one came out first."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass when she travailed, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/38.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When she travailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This came out first.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and it comes to pass in her bearing, that [one] gives out a hand, and the midwife takes and binds on his hand a scarlet thread, saying, “This has come out first.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and it cometh to pass in her bearing, that one giveth out a hand, and the midwife taketh and bindeth on his hand a scarlet thread, saying, 'This hath come out first.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it will be in her bringing forth, and he will give the hand; and the midwife will take and bind upon his hand, scarlet, saying, This came forth first.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />This shall come forth the first. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“This one will go out first.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/38.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />While she was giving birth, one put out his hand; and the midwife took and tied a crimson thread on his hand, noting, “This one came out first.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />While she was in labor, one put out a hand; and the midwife took and bound on his hand a crimson thread, saying, “This one came out first.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when she travailed, that one of the babes put out his hand; and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And it was that when she delivered, he gave his hand and the midwife took a thread of scarlet and she tied it on his hand and she said, “This one will come forth first.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when she travailed, that one put out a hand; and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying: 'This came out first.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass as she was bringing forth, one thrust forth his hand, and the midwife having taken hold of it, bound upon hid hand a scarlet <i>thread</i>, saying, This one shall come out first.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/38-28.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=9882" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">The Birth of Perez and Zerah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27</span>When the time came for Tamar to give birth, there were twins in her womb. <span class="reftext">28</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">And</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: ḇə·liḏ·tāh (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3fs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">as she was giving birth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: way·yit·ten- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">one of them put out</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yāḏ (N-fs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">his hand;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: ham·yal·le·ḏeṯ (Art:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">so the midwife</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: wat·tiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">took</a> <a href="/hebrew/8144.htm" title="8144: šā·nî (N-ms) -- Scarlet. Of uncertain derivation; crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it.">a scarlet thread</a> <a href="/hebrew/7194.htm" title="7194: wat·tiq·šōr (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To bind, league together, conspire. A primitive root: to tie, physically or mentally.">and tied it</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">around</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">his wrist.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">“This</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yā·ṣā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">one came out</a> <a href="/hebrew/7223.htm" title="7223: ri·šō·nāh (Adj-fs) -- Former, first, chief. Or riishon; from ri'shah; first, in place, time or rank.">first,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">she announced.</a> </span><span class="reftext">29</span>But when he pulled his hand back and his brother came out, she said, “You have broken out first!” So he was named Perez.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-24.htm">Genesis 25:24-26</a></span><br />When her time came to give birth, there were indeed twins in her womb. / The first one came out red, covered with hair like a fur coat; so they named him Esau. / After this, his brother came out grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. And Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-32.htm">Genesis 29:32-35</a></span><br />And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.” / Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.” So she named him Simeon. / Once again Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-6.htm">Genesis 30:6-13</a></span><br />Then Rachel said, “God has vindicated me; He has heard my plea and given me a son.” So she named him Dan. / And Rachel’s servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. / Then Rachel said, “In my great struggles, I have wrestled with my sister and won.” So she named him Naphtali. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-17.htm">Genesis 30:17-24</a></span><br />And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore a fifth son to Jacob. / Then Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my maidservant to my husband.” So she named him Issachar. / Again Leah conceived and bore a sixth son to Jacob. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-16.htm">Genesis 35:16-18</a></span><br />Later, they set out from Bethel, and while they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult. / During her severe labor, the midwife said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you are having another son.” / And with her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni. But his father called him Benjamin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-15.htm">Exodus 1:15-21</a></span><br />Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, / “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them on the birthstools. If the child is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live.” / The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-20.htm">1 Samuel 1:20</a></span><br />So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/4-19.htm">1 Samuel 4:19-22</a></span><br />Now Eli’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and about to give birth. When she heard the news of the capture of God’s ark and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband, she collapsed and gave birth, for her labor pains overtook her. / As she was dying, the women attending to her said, “Do not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son!” But she did not respond or pay any heed. / And she named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,” because the ark of God had been captured and her father-in-law and her husband had been killed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/2-4.htm">1 Chronicles 2:4</a></span><br />Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/4-12.htm">Ruth 4:12</a></span><br />And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-3.htm">Matthew 1:3</a></span><br />Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-33.htm">Luke 3:33</a></span><br />the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-10.htm">Romans 9:10-12</a></span><br />Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. / Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-14.htm">Hebrews 7:14</a></span><br />For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Revelation 5:5</a></span><br />Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound on his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.</p><p class="hdg">came to pass.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/38-1.htm">Genesis 38:1</a></b></br> And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name <i>was</i> Hirah.</p><p class="hdg">travailed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/35-16.htm">Genesis 35:16</a></b></br> And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.</p><p class="hdg">midwife.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Genesis 35:17</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.</p><p class="hdg">scarlet thread.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/2-18.htm">Joshua 2:18</a></b></br> Behold, <i>when</i> we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/19-7.htm">Act</a> <a href="/genesis/38-27.htm">Bearing</a> <a href="/genesis/22-9.htm">Bindeth</a> <a href="/genesis/38-27.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/22-9.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/genesis/38-7.htm">First</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/genesis/38-20.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Midwife</a> <a href="/genesis/38-24.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/genesis/25-30.htm">Red</a> <a href="/revelation/18-16.htm">Scarlet</a> <a href="/genesis/33-19.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/genesis/14-23.htm">Thread</a> <a href="/acts/27-40.htm">Tied</a> <a href="/genesis/35-16.htm">Travailed</a> <a href="/mark/7-3.htm">Wrist</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/12-25.htm">Act</a> <a href="/genesis/45-23.htm">Bearing</a> <a href="/genesis/42-24.htm">Bindeth</a> <a href="/genesis/38-29.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/39-20.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/genesis/38-29.htm">First</a> <a href="/genesis/38-29.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/genesis/38-29.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/49-15.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/exodus/1-16.htm">Midwife</a> <a href="/genesis/41-44.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/genesis/38-30.htm">Red</a> <a href="/genesis/38-30.htm">Scarlet</a> <a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/genesis/38-30.htm">Thread</a> <a href="/exodus/28-28.htm">Tied</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-19.htm">Travailed</a> <a href="/genesis/38-30.htm">Wrist</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 38</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-1.htm">Judah begets Er, Onan, and Shelah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-6.htm">Er's marriage with Tamar, and death.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-8.htm">The trespass of Onan.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-11.htm">Tamar is reserved for Shelah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-12.htm">Judah's wife dies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-13.htm">Tamar deceives Judah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-27.htm">She bears twins, Pharez and Zarah.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/38.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/38.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And as she was giving birth</b><br>This phrase refers to Tamar, the daughter-in-law of Judah, who is in labor with twins. The context of this birth is significant as it follows a series of events involving Judah and Tamar, highlighting themes of justice and redemption. The birth of twins is a notable event in biblical narratives, often symbolizing conflict or competition, as seen with Jacob and Esau.<p><b>one of them put out his hand</b><br>The act of one twin extending his hand first is unusual and sets the stage for the unexpected outcome of the birth. This moment foreshadows the reversal of expectations, a common biblical theme where God's plans often subvert human assumptions. It also introduces the idea of struggle and precedence, reminiscent of the struggle between Jacob and Esau.<p><b>so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it around his wrist</b><br>The scarlet thread serves as a marker of identity and precedence, indicating which child was technically the firstborn. The use of a scarlet thread is symbolic, often associated with themes of redemption and sacrifice, as seen in the story of Rahab (<a href="/joshua/2-18.htm">Joshua 2:18</a>) and the blood of Christ. This act by the midwife reflects the cultural importance of birth order in inheritance rights and family lineage.<p><b>“This one came out first,” she announced</b><br>The midwife's declaration underscores the importance of the firstborn in ancient Near Eastern culture, where the firstborn son typically received a double portion of the inheritance and held a place of honor. However, the narrative soon reveals a twist, as the other twin, Perez, ultimately emerges first, illustrating the biblical motif of the younger surpassing the elder, as seen in the stories of Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau. This theme points to God's sovereignty in choosing leaders and fulfilling His promises, often through unexpected means.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/tamar.htm">Tamar</a></b><br>The mother of the twins, Perez and Zerah, who plays a crucial role in the lineage of Judah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The father of the twins, whose lineage is significant in the history of Israel and the genealogy of Jesus.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/perez_and_zerah.htm">Perez and Zerah</a></b><br>The twin sons of Judah and Tamar, whose birth is marked by an unusual event.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/midwife.htm">Midwife</a></b><br>The unnamed woman assisting in the birth, who ties a scarlet thread around the wrist of the firstborn.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/scarlet_thread.htm">Scarlet Thread</a></b><br>A symbol used to identify the firstborn, which plays a role in the account of the twins' birth.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_unusual_circumstances.htm">God's Sovereignty in Unusual Circumstances</a></b><br>The birth of Perez and Zerah, with its unexpected twist, reminds us that God's plans often unfold in ways we do not anticipate. This encourages us to trust in His sovereignty even when situations seem confusing or contrary to our expectations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_lineage_and_legacy.htm">The Significance of Lineage and Legacy</a></b><br>The inclusion of Perez in the genealogy of Jesus underscores the importance of lineage in God's redemptive plan. It challenges us to consider how our own lives and actions contribute to the legacy we leave behind.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_and_signs_in_scripture.htm">Symbolism and Signs in Scripture</a></b><br>The scarlet thread serves as a symbol of identification and promise. This invites us to reflect on the signs and symbols in our own faith journey that remind us of God's promises and our identity in Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_women_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Women in God's Plan</a></b><br>Tamar's account highlights the significant role women play in God's purposes, often in unexpected ways. This encourages us to value and recognize the contributions of women in the faith community.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_38.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 38</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_the_bible's_twins.htm">Who are the twins mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_haters_of_brothers_walk_in_darkness.htm">Who was Zerah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_genesis_38_27-30_align_with_twin_biology.htm">In Genesis 38:27-30, how do we reconcile the unusual birth story of Perez and Zerah with other scriptural and modern biological understandings of twins?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_god's_promises.htm">What are God's promises?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/38.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 28.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And it came to pass, when she travailed</span>, - literally, <span class="accented">in her bringing forth</span> (cf. <a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Genesis 35:17</a>) - <span class="cmt_word">that the one put out his hand</span>: - literally, <span class="accented">and it</span> (sc. the child) <span class="accented">gave</span> a hand, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> it was an abnormal and dangerous presentation - <span class="cmt_word">and the midwife</span> (<span class="accented">vide Genesis</span> 35:17) <span class="cmt_word">took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/38-28.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as she was giving birth,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְלִדְתָּ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·liḏ·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one of them put out</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּתֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(way·yit·ten-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his hand;</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֑ד</span> <span class="translit">(yāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so the midwife</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמְיַלֶּ֗דֶת</span> <span class="translit">(ham·yal·le·ḏeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">took</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתִּקַּ֣ח</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tiq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a scarlet thread</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁנִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(šā·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8144.htm">Strong's 8144: </a> </span><span class="str2">Crimson, the insect, its color, stuff dyed with it</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and tied [it]</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתִּקְשֹׁ֨ר</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tiq·šōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7194.htm">Strong's 7194: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tie, gird, confine, compact, in love, league</span><br /><br /><span class="word">around</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his wrist.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָד֤וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“This</span><br /><span class="heb">זֶ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one came out</span><br /><span class="heb">יָצָ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ṣā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">first,”</span><br /><span class="heb">רִאשֹׁנָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ri·šō·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7223.htm">Strong's 7223: </a> </span><span class="str2">First, in place, time, rank</span><br /><br /><span class="word">she announced.</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאמֹ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(lê·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/38-28.htm">Genesis 38:28 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/38-28.htm">Genesis 38:28 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/38-28.htm">Genesis 38:28 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/38-28.htm">Genesis 38:28 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/38-28.htm">Genesis 38:28 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/38-28.htm">Genesis 38:28 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/38-28.htm">Genesis 38:28 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/38-28.htm">Genesis 38:28 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/38-28.htm">Genesis 38:28 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/38-28.htm">Genesis 38:28 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/38-28.htm">OT Law: Genesis 38:28 When she travailed one put out (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/38-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 38:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/38-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 38:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:29" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>