1 Chronicles 2:4

KJV

And Tamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah [were] five.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Tamar {H8559} his daughter in law {H3618} bare {H3205} him Pharez {H6557} and Zerah {H2226}. All the sons {H1121} of Judah {H3063} were five {H2568}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Tamar his daughter-in-law bore him Peretz and Zerach; thus Y'hudah had five sons altogether.

Berean Standard Bible

Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.

American Standard Version

And Tamar his daughter-in-law bare him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 2:4 meticulously records a pivotal moment in the genealogy of Judah, detailing the birth of twin sons, Pharez and Zerah, to Judah through his daughter-in-law, Tamar, and concluding with a summary of Judah's five direct sons. This seemingly simple genealogical entry is profoundly significant, establishing a foundational lineage for the tribe of Judah, from which the Davidic monarchy and ultimately the Messiah would emerge, underscoring God's sovereign hand in preserving His covenant promises through unexpected means.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Chronicles 2:4 is embedded within the extensive genealogical records that commence the Book of Chronicles, spanning chapters 1-9. These genealogies serve as the foundation for the Chronicler's narrative, establishing continuity from creation through the patriarchs and the tribes of Israel, with a particular emphasis on the lineage of Judah and the house of David. This specific verse follows the introduction of Judah's initial sons (Er, Onan, and Shelah) in [1 Chronicles 2:3](/1-chronicles/2-3 "1 Chronicles 2:3 - Judah's Sons"). The inclusion of Tamar and her sons, Pharez and Zerah, is crucial as it details the continuation of Judah's primary line after the demise of his first two sons, setting the stage for the subsequent detailed enumeration of Pharez's descendants, which will ultimately lead to the Davidic dynasty. The Chronicler's meticulous record-keeping here underscores the importance of legitimate lineage for the post-exilic community's identity and claims.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, genealogies were far more than mere lists of names; they were fundamental to establishing tribal identity, validating claims to land inheritance, determining eligibility for priestly service, and confirming rightful succession to leadership, particularly kingship. The specific event referenced in [1 Chronicles 2:4](/1-chronicles/2-4 "1 Chronicles 2:4 - Tamar's Sons")—the birth of Pharez and Zerah to Judah through Tamar—is a condensed allusion to the full narrative found in [Genesis 38](/genesis/38 "Genesis 38 - Judah and Tamar"). This account, while culturally unconventional, highlights the paramount importance placed on the continuation of the family line, especially when direct heirs were unavailable. Tamar's desperate actions, though outside the strictures of levirate marriage as later codified in [Deuteronomy 25:5-10](/deuteronomy/25-5 "Deuteronomy 25:5-10 - Levirate Marriage"), were ultimately recognized as righteous because they aimed to preserve the lineage of Judah, a line destined for immense significance. The Chronicler, writing in the post-exilic period, would have found this detail crucial for demonstrating the unbroken continuity of God's covenant people despite exile.
* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of [1 Chronicles 2:4](/1-chronicles/2-4 "1 Chronicles 2:4 - Tamar's Sons") within the Chronicler's extensive genealogies contributes to several overarching themes. First, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Providence**, demonstrating God's sovereign hand at work even through unconventional and morally complex human situations, such as the story of Judah and Tamar in [Genesis 38](/genesis/38 "Genesis 38 - Judah and Tamar"), to ensure the preservation of the covenant lineage. Second, it underscores the **Importance of Genealogy** itself, not merely as a historical record but as a theological statement affirming tribal identity, land rights, and, crucially, the legitimate claim to the Davidic throne and the ultimate Messianic promise. Finally, the verse reinforces the **Significance of the Tribe of Judah**, highlighting its central role among the tribes of Israel as the line through which kingship would emerge and from which the ultimate Redeemer would be born, as prophesied in [Genesis 49:10](/genesis/49-10 "Genesis 49:10 - The Scepter from Judah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pharez (Hebrew, _Perets_):** Meaning "breakthrough" or "bursting forth," this name is a direct linguistic echo of the circumstances of his birth, as described in [Genesis 38:29](/genesis/38-29 "Genesis 38:29 - Pharez's Birth"). He was the first of the twins to emerge, literally "breaking through" the birth canal. This name carries profound symbolic weight, foreshadowing his pivotal role in the lineage that would "break through" to produce King David and ultimately the Messiah.
* **Zerah (Hebrew, _Zerach_):** Meaning "rising" or "brightness," Zerah was the second-born twin. While Pharez's line became the primary royal lineage, Zerah's descendants also formed significant families within the tribe of Judah, contributing to its overall strength and prominence. His name suggests a certain eminence or distinction within his own branch of the family.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Tamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez and Zerah."** This clause succinctly summarizes the pivotal event of Tamar's bearing twins to Judah. The phrase "his daughter in law" immediately signals the unusual nature of the relationship, prompting the reader to recall the full narrative detailed in [Genesis 38](/genesis/38 "Genesis 38 - Judah and Tamar"). Tamar, having been denied heirs by Judah's sons and Judah himself, took extraordinary measures to ensure the continuation of the family line, which was a righteous act in the eyes of God (cf. [Genesis 38:26](/genesis/38-26 "Genesis 38:26 - Judah's Acknowledgment")). The birth of Pharez and Zerah thus represents a crucial turning point, securing the future of Judah's lineage.
* **"All the sons of Judah [were] five."** This concluding statement provides a numerical summary of Judah's direct male offspring. The "five" sons include Er, Onan, and Shelah (mentioned in [1 Chronicles 2:3](/1-chronicles/2-3 "1 Chronicles 2:3 - Judah's Sons")) from his first wife, the daughter of Shua, along with the twins Pharez and Zerah from Tamar. This precise enumeration is characteristic of the Chronicler's meticulous genealogical method, ensuring a complete and accurate record of the foundational figures for the tribe of Judah. It underscores the importance of each son in contributing to the tribal structure and its subsequent family branches.

#### Literary Devices
[1 Chronicles 2:4](/1-chronicles/2-4 "1 Chronicles 2:4 - Tamar's Sons") employs several literary devices to convey its profound significance. The most prominent is **Conciseness** and **Allusion**, as the Chronicler compresses the entire, dramatic narrative of Judah and Tamar from [Genesis 38](/genesis/38 "Genesis 38 - Judah and Tamar") into a single, terse clause. This assumes the reader's familiarity with the foundational story, allowing the Chronicler to move swiftly through the genealogy while still acknowledging a crucial, albeit unconventional, link in the lineage. The **Emphasis through Placement** of Pharez and Zerah at this juncture highlights their critical role in the continuation of Judah's line, setting the stage for the subsequent detailed enumeration of Pharez's descendants. Furthermore, the **Numerical Precision** of "five" sons reinforces the Chronicler's meticulous approach to establishing accurate and complete genealogical records, vital for the identity and claims of the post-exilic community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, though brief, is a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereign control over human history. It demonstrates that divine plans are not contingent upon human perfection or conventional societal norms. The inclusion of Tamar, a non-Israelite woman who acted outside typical social structures, yet was "more righteous" than Judah, highlights God's ability to work through unexpected individuals and circumstances to achieve His redemptive purposes. It underscores that God's covenant promises, particularly concerning the lineage of Judah, are preserved through His providential care, even when human actions are flawed or unconventional. This divine oversight ensures the continuity of the Messianic line, demonstrating God's commitment to His long-term plan for salvation.

* [Genesis 38:29](/genesis/38-29 "Genesis 38:29 - Pharez's Birth")
* [Ruth 4:18-22](/ruth/4-18 "Ruth 4:18-22 - The Line of Pharez")
* [Matthew 1:3](/matthew/1-3 "Matthew 1:3 - Jesus' Genealogy through Pharez")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry genealogical entry in [1 Chronicles 2:4](/1-chronicles/2-4 "1 Chronicles 2:4 - Tamar's Sons") holds profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's grand narrative of redemption is often woven through the messy, unconventional, and sometimes scandalous threads of human history. Just as God used Tamar's extraordinary actions to preserve the vital lineage of Judah, He continues to work through our imperfect lives, our unexpected detours, and even our failures to accomplish His perfect will. This verse encourages us to trust in God's unwavering faithfulness, recognizing that His purposes will prevail regardless of the obstacles or the unconventional paths He chooses. It calls us to look beyond superficial appearances or societal judgments and discern God's sovereign hand at work in every circumstance, knowing that He is meticulously crafting a story far greater than our individual experiences, a story culminating in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the unconventional nature of Tamar's story, as alluded to in this verse, challenge your understanding of how God works in the world?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to doubt God's ability to work through imperfect circumstances or unexpected paths?**
* **How does recognizing your place within God's larger, historical narrative of redemption encourage you in your personal faith journey?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Chronicler include such a detailed genealogy, especially one that references an unconventional story like Tamar's?**

Answer: The Chronicler's primary audience was the post-exilic community, seeking to re-establish their identity and continuity with their past. Detailed genealogies were crucial for several reasons: to legitimize tribal claims, particularly for land and priestly service; to demonstrate the unbroken covenant line from Adam to the present; and most importantly, to highlight the lineage of David, through whom the promise of an eternal kingdom would be fulfilled. Including Tamar's story, despite its unconventional nature (detailed in [Genesis 38](/genesis/38 "Genesis 38 - Judah and Tamar")), underscores God's sovereign ability to preserve His chosen line even through human imperfection and unexpected means, thereby reinforcing His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

**What is the significance of Pharez and Zerah being twins?**

Answer: The twin birth of Pharez and Zerah, particularly Pharez's "breakthrough" (as recounted in [Genesis 38:29](/genesis/38-29 "Genesis 38:29 - Pharez's Birth")), is highly symbolic. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the firstborn typically held preeminence. However, God often chose the younger or the unexpected to fulfill His purposes (e.g., Jacob over Esau, David over his older brothers). Pharez's "breakthrough" foreshadows his pivotal role as the ancestor of King David and the Messianic line, indicating God's sovereign choice and His ability to establish His plan through unconventional means, even reversing typical birth order expectations to highlight His divine prerogative.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [1 Chronicles 2:4](/1-chronicles/2-4 "1 Chronicles 2:4 - Tamar's Sons") appears to be a simple genealogical entry, it finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in its contribution to the lineage of Jesus Christ. The mention of Pharez is critical, as he is explicitly named in the New Testament genealogies of Jesus, both in [Matthew 1:3](/matthew/1-3 "Matthew 1:3 - Jesus' Genealogy") and [Luke 3:33](/luke/3-33 "Luke 3:33 - Jesus' Genealogy"). This verse thus serves as a foundational link in the unbroken chain that leads directly to the promised Messiah. The unconventional circumstances of Pharez's birth through Tamar, a Gentile woman who acted with righteous intent to preserve the lineage, foreshadow God's broader redemptive plan that extends beyond ethnic Israel to include all nations. It highlights that God's saving work is not confined to human expectations or perfect circumstances but is accomplished through His sovereign grace, embracing the unexpected and the marginalized. Just as God preserved the line of Judah through Tamar to bring forth David, He ultimately brought forth Jesus, the [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Jesus, Son of David"), who through His [death and resurrection](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - Christ Died for Us") provides a "breakthrough" for all humanity, offering salvation and new life to everyone who believes, fulfilling the ultimate purpose of this ancient lineage.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 1:3

And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

Genesis 38:13

And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.

Genesis 38:30

And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.

Ruth 4:12

And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.

Genesis 38:11

Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren [did]. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.

1 Chronicles 9:6

And of the sons of Zerah; Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety.

Ruth 4:18

Now these [are] the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,