New International VersionAs she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, “This one came out first.”
New Living TranslationWhile 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.”
English Standard VersionAnd 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.”
Berean Standard BibleAnd 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.
King James BibleAnd 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.
New King James VersionAnd so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.”
New American Standard BibleMoreover, it took place while she was giving birth, that one baby put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.”
NASB 1995Moreover, 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.”
NASB 1977 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, “This one came out first.”
Legacy Standard Bible And it happened, 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.”
Amplified BibleAnd 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.”
Christian Standard BibleAs 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.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleAs 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.”
American Standard VersionAnd 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.
English Revised VersionAnd 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.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationWhen 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."
Good News TranslationWhile 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."
International Standard VersionWhile 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."
NET BibleWhile 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."
New Heart English BibleAs 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."
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd 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.
World English BibleWhen she travailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This came out first.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand 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.”
Young's Literal Translation 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.'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd 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. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThis shall come forth the first.
Catholic Public Domain Version“This one will go out first.”
New American BibleWhile 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.”
New Revised Standard VersionWhile 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.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd 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.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd 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.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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.'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd 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 thread, saying, This one shall come out first.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Birth of Perez and Zerah27When the time came for Tamar to give birth, there were twins in her womb. 28And 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. 29But when he pulled his hand back and his brother came out, she said, “You have broken out first!” So he was named Perez.…
Cross References Genesis 25:24-26When 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.
Genesis 29:32-35And 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. ...
Genesis 30:6-13Then 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. ...
Genesis 30:17-24And 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. ...
Genesis 35:16-18Later, 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.
Exodus 1:15-21Then 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. ...
1 Samuel 1:20So 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.”
1 Samuel 4:19-22Now 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. ...
1 Chronicles 2:4Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.
Ruth 4:12And 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.”
Matthew 1:3Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.
Luke 3:33the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
Romans 9:10-12Not 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.”
Hebrews 7:14For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.
Revelation 5:5Then 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.”
Genesis 38:1
And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. travailed. Genesis 35:16
And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. midwife. Genesis 35:17
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. scarlet thread. Joshua 2:18
Behold, when 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. Jump to Previous Act Bearing Bindeth Birth Bound First Forth Hand Labor Midwife Moreover Red Scarlet Stretched Thread Tied Travailed WristJump to Next Act Bearing Bindeth Birth Bound First Forth Hand Labor Midwife Moreover Red Scarlet Stretched Thread Tied Travailed WristGenesis 38 1. Judah begets Er, Onan, and Shelah.6. Er's marriage with Tamar, and death.8. The trespass of Onan.11. Tamar is reserved for Shelah.12. Judah's wife dies.13. Tamar deceives Judah.27. She bears twins, Pharez and Zarah.And as she was giving birthThis 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. one of them put out his hand
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. so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it around his wrist
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 (Joshua 2:18) and the blood of Christ. This act by the midwife reflects the cultural importance of birth order in inheritance rights and family lineage. “This one came out first,” she announced
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. Persons / Places / Events 1. TamarThe mother of the twins, Perez and Zerah, who plays a crucial role in the lineage of Judah. 2. JudahThe father of the twins, whose lineage is significant in the history of Israel and the genealogy of Jesus. 3. Perez and ZerahThe twin sons of Judah and Tamar, whose birth is marked by an unusual event. 4. MidwifeThe unnamed woman assisting in the birth, who ties a scarlet thread around the wrist of the firstborn. 5. Scarlet ThreadA symbol used to identify the firstborn, which plays a role in the account of the twins' birth. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in Unusual CircumstancesThe 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. The Significance of Lineage and LegacyThe 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. Symbolism and Signs in ScriptureThe 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. The Role of Women in God's PlanTamar'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. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 38:28?
2. How does Genesis 38:28 illustrate God's sovereignty in unexpected circumstances?
3. What significance do the twins' birth order have in God's plan?
4. How does Genesis 38:28 connect to the theme of God's providence in Genesis?
5. What lessons on patience and trust can we learn from this passage?
6. How can we apply the principles of divine intervention in our daily lives?
7. What is the significance of the scarlet thread in Genesis 38:28?
8. How does Genesis 38:28 relate to the theme of deception in the Bible?
9. Why is the birth of twins important in Genesis 38:28?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 38?
11. Who are the twins mentioned in the Bible?
12. Who was Zerah in the Bible?
13. 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?
14. What are God's promises?What Does Genesis 38:28 Mean And as she was giving birth– Tamar—Judah’s widowed daughter-in-law—has reached full term with twins (Genesis 38:27). – The narrative reminds us that twins often signal a turning point in Scripture, as with Esau and Jacob in Genesis 25:24-26. – God’s providence is at work in the line of Judah even during a morally messy episode (Romans 8:28).
one of them put out his hand– The baby’s hand appears first, an unusual occurrence that immediately draws attention to questions of inheritance and family order (compare Hosea 12:3, where Jacob grasped Esau’s heel). – By allowing this moment to be recorded, the Spirit underscores how human expectations of “first” can quickly shift, a pattern seen again when Jacob blessed Ephraim above Manasseh (Genesis 48:17-19).
so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it around his wrist– Midwives in the ancient Near East marked a firstborn during complicated deliveries to settle future disputes over birthright (see Deuteronomy 21:17 for the legal weight of the firstborn share). – Scarlet is a vivid, unmistakable color; it later appears as a sign of protection and covenant in Exodus 12:13 (Passover blood) and Joshua 2:18-21 (Rahab’s scarlet cord). – The deliberate tying shows human attempts to preserve order, yet God is about to overturn it.
“This one came out first,” she announced– The declaration seems final, but moments later Perez pushes past his brother, and the midwife exclaims, “How have you broken out?” (Genesis 38:29). – Scripture often highlights God’s surprising choice of the younger over the elder: Isaac over Ishmael (Genesis 17:19-21), Jacob over Esau (Romans 9:12-13), David over his brothers (1 Samuel 16:10-12). – Perez, the child who actually emerges first, becomes an ancestor of King David and of Christ Himself (Ruth 4:18-22; Matthew 1:3), illustrating that divine purpose, not human custom, ultimately governs redemptive history.
summaryGenesis 38:28 captures a dramatic moment where human hands try to manage succession through a scarlet thread, yet God soon rearranges the outcome. The verse highlights the tension between cultural expectations of the firstborn and God’s sovereign freedom to advance His promises through unexpected channels—preparing the way for the Messiah to come through Perez rather than the marked child, Zerah. Verse 28. - And it came to pass, when she travailed, - literally, in her bringing forth (cf. Genesis 35:17) - that the one put out his hand: - literally, and it (sc. the child) gave a hand, i.e. it was an abnormal and dangerous presentation - and the midwife ( vide Genesis 35:17) took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Andוַיְהִ֥י (way·hî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, beas she was giving birth,בְלִדְתָּ֖הּ (ḇə·liḏ·tāh)Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineageone of them put outוַיִּתֶּן־ (way·yit·ten-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, sethis hand;יָ֑ד (yāḏ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3027: A handso the midwifeהַמְיַלֶּ֗דֶת (ham·yal·le·ḏeṯ)Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineagetookוַתִּקַּ֣ח (wat·tiq·qaḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3947: To takea scarlet threadשָׁנִי֙ (šā·nî)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8144: Crimson, the insect, its color, stuff dyed with itand tied [it]וַתִּקְשֹׁ֨ר (wat·tiq·šōr)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7194: To tie, gird, confine, compact, in love, leaguearoundעַל־ (‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, againsthis wrist.יָד֤וֹ (yā·ḏōw)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand“Thisזֶ֖ה (zeh)Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, thatone came outיָצָ֥א (yā·ṣā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proximfirst,”רִאשֹׁנָֽה׃ (ri·šō·nāh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rankshe announced.לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say
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OT Law: Genesis 38:28 When she travailed one put out (Gen. Ge Gn) |
