Genesis 38:30

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then out came his brother, with the scarlet thread on his hand, and he was given the name Zerach [scarlet].

Berean Standard Bible:

Then his brother came out with the scarlet thread around his wrist, and he was named Zerah.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And afterward^{H310} came out^{H3318} his brother^{H251}, that had the scarlet thread^{H8144} upon his hand^{H3027}: and his name^{H8034} was called^{H7121} Zarah^{H2226}.

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Commentary for Genesis 38:30

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Providence:** The story of Tamar and her twins, including the significance of the scarlet thread, illustrates God's oversight in human affairs, especially within the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ.
- **Righteousness and Justice:** Tamar's actions, though unconventional, are vindicated as righteous in the context of Judah's failure to provide her a levirate husband, highlighting themes of justice and the fulfillment of moral obligations.
- **Genealogy and Legacy:** The account emphasizes the importance of ancestry in the biblical narrative, as the lineage of the tribe of Judah is crucial for the Messianic line.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Setting:** The verse is set in the period after the patriarchs and before the enslavement in Egypt, during the time of Judah, one of Jacob's sons.
- **Levirate Marriage:** The custom of levirate marriage is central to the narrative, where a man is obligated to marry his brother's widow to produce offspring for the deceased brother.
- **Tamar's Story:** Tamar was married to Judah's eldest son, Er, who died childless. Judah's second son, Onan, refused to fulfill his levirate duty, leading to his death. Judah then delayed in giving his third son, Shelah, to Tamar in marriage. Feeling wronged, Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and became pregnant by Judah, ensuring the continuation of his lineage.
- **Birth of the Twins:** During the birth of Tamar's twins, one child put out his hand, and the midwife tied a scarlet thread on him, indicating he was the firstborn. However, this child, Zarah, pulled his hand back, and his brother, Pharez, was born first. This event is seen as a divine intervention that allowed Pharez, rather than Zarah, to be the primary ancestor of King David and later Jesus Christ.

In summary, Genesis 38:30 concludes a narrative that weaves together themes of divine providence, righteousness, and the significance of lineage, all set within the context of ancient Israelite customs and the unfolding story of the chosen people.

*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: H310
   There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַחַר
   Transliteration: ʼachar
   Pronunciation: akh-ar'
   Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.
   
2. 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.
   
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: H8144
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁנִי
   Transliteration: shânîy
   Pronunciation: shaw-nee'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it; crimson, scarlet (thread).
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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.
   
7. 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.
   
8. Strong's Number: H2226
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זֶרַח
   Transliteration: Zerach
   Pronunciation: zeh'-rakh
   Description: the same as זֶרַח; Zerach, the name of three Israelites, also of an Idumaean and an Ethiopian prince; Zarah, Zerah.