Genesis 38:29

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? [this] breach [be] upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But then he withdrew his hand, and his brother came out; so she said, "How did you manage to break out first?"Therefore he was named Peretz [breaking out].

Berean Standard Bible:

But when he pulled his hand back and his brother came out, she said, “You have broken out first!” So he was named Perez.

American Standard Version:

And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, Wherefore hast thou made a breach for thyself? therefore his name was called Perez.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And it came to pass, as he drew back^{H7725} his hand^{H3027}, that, behold, his brother^{H251} came out^{H3318}: and she said^{H559}, How hast thou broken forth^{H6555}? this breach^{H6556} be upon thee: therefore his name^{H8034} was called^{H7121} Pharez^{H6557}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Genesis 38:29

1. **Themes:**
- **Family Dynamics and Birthright:** The narrative of Genesis 38:29 reflects the complex family dynamics within the lineage of Judah, a son of Jacob. The story leading up to this verse involves Tamar, who was widowed twice, both times to sons of Judah. She disguises herself as a prostitute to conceive a child with Judah, her father-in-law, in order to preserve her lineage and rights.
- **Divine Providence:** The birth of twins and the unusual circumstances surrounding their birth highlight the theme of divine providence. The hand of one twin emerges first, but the other, Pharez, ultimately precedes his brother, suggesting a divine hand in the order of their birth, which has significance for the lineage of King David and later, Jesus Christ.
- **Righteousness and Judgment:** The naming of Pharez, which can be interpreted as "breach" or "breaking out," reflects the idea of judgment and the consequences of actions, as Tamar pronounces a form of blessing or recognition of the unusual birth.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Genealogy of Judah:** The verse is part of a larger chapter that diverts from the story of Joseph to focus on Judah's family. This genealogical account is significant because it establishes the lineage of David, who will become one of Israel's most important kings.
- **Cultural Practices:** The chapter reflects ancient near-eastern cultural practices, including levirate marriage, where a man is obligated to marry his brother's widow to continue the family line. Tamar's actions are driven by the desire to fulfill this duty, which was critical for inheritance and lineage.
- **The Role of Women:** Tamar's story is one of the few in the Pentateuch that centers on a woman, particularly highlighting the plight and determination of a woman to secure her rightful place in society and history.

In summary, Genesis 38:29 is a pivotal verse in the narrative that underscores themes of family dynamics, divine providence, and the role of women within a patriarchal society. It also has significant implications for the messianic line, as Pharez becomes an ancestor of both King David and Jesus Christ.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7725
   There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּב
   Transliteration: shûwb
   Pronunciation: shoob
   Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
3. Strong's Number: H251
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָח
   Transliteration: ʼâch
   Pronunciation: awkh
   Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
5. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6555
   There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּרַץ
   Transliteration: pârats
   Pronunciation: paw-rats'
   Description: lemma פּרַץ missing vowel, corrected to פָּרַץ; a primitive root; to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative); [idiom] abroad, (make a) breach, break (away, down, -er, forth, in, up), burst out, come (spread) abroad, compel, disperse, grow, increase, open, press, scatter, urge.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6556
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֶּרֶץ
   Transliteration: perets
   Pronunciation: peh'-rets
   Description: from פָּרַץlemma פּרַץ missing vowel, corrected to פָּרַץ; a break (literally or figuratively); breach, breaking forth (in), [idiom] forth, gap.
   
8. Strong's Number: H8034
   There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
   
9. Strong's Number: H7121
   There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרָא
   Transliteration: qârâʼ
   Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
   
10. Strong's Number: H6557
    There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פֶּרֶץ
    Transliteration: Perets
    Pronunciation: peh'-rets
    Description: the same as פֶּרֶץ; Perets, the name of two Israelites; Perez, Pharez.