TRV
Translation
King James Version
And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.
Complete Jewish Bible
When she went into labor, it became evident that she was going to have twins.
American Standard Version
And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Now, when the time was come that she should be deliuered, beholde, there were twinnes in her wombe.
Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass in the time of her bearing, that lo, twins are in her womb;
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In the KJVVerse 1,147 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 38 verses 24–30
24 ¶ And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
25 When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.
26 And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.
27 And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.
28 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.
29 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.
30 And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.
Here is, I. Judah's rigour against Tamar, when he heard she was an adulteress. She was, in the eye of the law, Shelah's wife, and therefore her being with child by another was looked upon as an injury and reproach to Judah's family: Bring her forth therefore, says Judah, the master of the family, and let her be burnt; not burnt to death, but burnt in the cheek or forehead, stigmatized for a harlot. This seems probable, Gen 38:24. Note, it is a common thing for men to be severe against those very sins in others in which yet they allow themselves; and so, in judging others, they condemn themselves, Rom 2:1; Rom 14:22. If he designed that she should be burnt to death, perhaps, under pretence of zeal against the sin, he was contriving how to get rid of his daughter-in-law, being loath to marry Shelah to her. Note, It is a common thing, but a very bad thing, to cover malice against men's persons with a show of zeal against their vices.
II. Judah's shame, when it was made to appear that he was the adulterer. She produced the ring and the bracelets in court, which justified the fathering of the child upon Judah, Gen 38:25, Gen 38:26. Note, The wickedness that has been most secretly committed, and most industriously concealed, yet sometimes is strangely brought to light, to the shame and confusion of those who have said, No eye sees. A bird of the air may carry the voice; however, there is a destroying day coming, when all will be laid open. Some of the Jewish writers observe that as Judah had said to his father, See, is this thy son's coat? (Gen 37:32) so it was now said to him, "See, are these thy signet and bracelets?" Judah, being convicted by his own conscience, 1. Confesses his sin: She has been more righteous than I. He owns that a perpetual mark of infamy should be fastened rather upon him, who had been so much accessory to it. Note, Those offenders ought to be treated with the greatest tenderness to whom we have any way given occasion of offending. If servants purloin, and their masters, by withholding from them what is due, tempt them to it, they ought to forgive them. 2. He never returned to it again: He knew her again no more. Note, Those do not truly repent of their sins that do not forsake them.
III. The building up of Judah's family hereby, notwithstanding, in the birth of Pharez and Zarah, from whom descended the most considerable families of the illustrious tribe of Judah. It should seem, the birth was hard to the mother, by which she was corrected for her sin. The children also, like Jacob and Esau, struggled for the birthright, and Pharez obtained it, who is ever named first, and from him Christ descended. He had his name from his breaking forth before his brother: This breach be upon thee, which is applicable to those that sow discord, and create distance, between brethren. The Jews, as Zarah, bade fair for the birthright, and were marked with a scarlet thread, as those that came out first; but the Gentiles, like Pharez, as a son of violence, got the start of them, by that violence which the kingdom of heaven suffers, and attained to the righteousness of which the Jews came short. Yet, when the fulness of time is come, all Israel shall be saved. Both these sons are named in the genealogy of our Saviour (Mat 1:3), to perpetuate the story, as an instance of the humiliation of our Lord Jesus. Some observe that the four eldest sons of Jacob fell under very foul guilt, Reuben and Judah under the guilt of incest, Simeon and Levi under that of murder; yet they were patriarchs, and from Levi descended the priests, from Judah the kings and Messiah. Thus they became examples of repentance, and monuments of pardoning mercy.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 24–30. Public domain.
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John ChrysostomAD 407
HOMILIES ON GENESIS 62.8-9
Observe in this, I ask you, a mystery and a prediction of what is to come. You see, after the midwife bound the scarlet thread around his hand to make Zerah recognizable, then “he drew his hand back, and his brother came out.” He yielded precedence to his brother, it is saying, and the one thought last came out first, and the one thought first emerged after him. “The midwife said, ‘What a breach you have made for yourself!’ He was called Perez.” The name, in fact, means “breach” or “division,” as you might say. “After him came his brother with the mark on his right hand; he was given the name Zerah,” which means “sunrise.”It was not idly or to no purpose that these things happened; rather, it was a type of things to come, revealing the events themselves. You see, what happened was not according to natural processes. I mean, how would it have been possible, after his hand was bound with crimson, for him to draw back again and give way to the one after him, unless there were some divine power arranging this in advance? It was also prefiguring, as if in a kind of shadow, the fact that right from the outset Zerah, which means sunrise (he is, after all, a type of the church), began to peer ahead; as he moved gradually forward and then retired, the legal observance denoted by Perez made its entrance. After that had held precedence for a long time, the former one—I mean Zerah, who had retired—came forward, and the whole Judaic way of life in turn yielded place to the church.
JeromeAD 420
LETTER 123.12
What is one to say of Tamar, who brought to birth the twins Zerah and Perez? Their separation at the moment of birth was like a wall that divides the two peoples, and the hand tied with the scarlet ribbon already then speckled the conscience of the Jews with the passion of Christ.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 38:27 marks a pivotal moment in the dramatic narrative of Judah and Tamar, revealing the surprising culmination of Tamar's pregnancy with the discovery of twins during her labor. This verse underscores God's sovereign hand in preserving the promised Messianic lineage through unexpected, morally complex, and unconventional circumstances, setting the stage for the significant births of Perez and Zerah.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The King James Version of Genesis 38:27 states, "And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins [were] in her womb." This concise verse is packed with narrative and theological significance.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Genesis 38:27 effectively employs several literary devices to enhance its narrative impact. The most prominent is Foreshadowing, as the mere presence of twins hints at the subsequent dramatic struggle for birth order between Perez and Zerah, which itself foreshadows the later biblical theme of the younger son superseding the elder. There is also an element of Irony in the narrative's broader context: Judah, who had failed to provide an heir for Tamar, unwittingly becomes the father of her children, ensuring the continuation of his own line through the very woman he had wronged. The use of the interjection "behold" (וְהִנֵּה, vehinnēh) functions as a powerful Exclamation or Emphasis, drawing the reader's attention to the surprising and divinely orchestrated revelation of the twins, highlighting the unexpected nature of God's work in human affairs. This also subtly points to Divine Providence, as the unexpected doubling of offspring underscores God's active hand in preserving the lineage despite human sin and moral ambiguity.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 38:27 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering sovereignty and providential care over His redemptive plan, even amidst human sin and moral complexity. The discovery of twins, particularly after Tamar's unconventional actions, serves as a powerful testament to God's ability to work through flawed individuals and unexpected circumstances to achieve His perfect will. This verse emphasizes that God's purposes for His covenant people and the promised lineage are not thwarted by human failings but are ultimately secured by His faithfulness. It highlights that the continuation of the Messianic line is not dependent on human perfection but on divine commitment, ensuring that the seed promised to Abraham would indeed come forth.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Tamar and Judah, culminating in the surprising birth of twins in this verse, offers profound insights into God's character and His redemptive plan that resonate deeply with believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's purposes are not thwarted by human sin, moral complexity, or unconventional paths. He is utterly sovereign over all circumstances, weaving together even the most challenging and ethically ambiguous situations to advance His redemptive plan. For believers, this truth can be a profound source of comfort and assurance, knowing that God can work through and redeem even our most difficult, flawed, or seemingly hopeless situations. It encourages us to trust in His overarching plan, even when the immediate circumstances seem confusing, unjust, or ethically challenging, recognizing His infinite capacity to bring good out of unexpected and even sinful events. This narrative challenges us to look beyond human failings and conventional expectations to discern God's faithful hand at work, reminding us that His grace is greater than our sin and His wisdom surpasses our understanding.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the discovery of twins significant in this narrative?
Answer: The discovery of twins is significant for several profound reasons. Narratively, it adds an element of surprise and further emphasizes God's abundant provision, doubling the offspring for a lineage that seemed at risk. Theologically, it ensures the continuation of the crucial covenant lineage promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Specifically, one of these twins, Perez, becomes a direct and explicit ancestor of King David and, ultimately, of Jesus Christ, making this discovery vital for the Messianic line, as noted in Matthew 1:3. It highlights God's sovereign hand in preserving His redemptive plan despite human failings.
Does this story condone Tamar's deceptive actions?
Answer: The biblical narrative presents Tamar's actions without explicitly condoning or condemning them. Instead, it focuses on the outcome: Judah's acknowledgment of her righteousness compared to his own failure to fulfill his duty (Genesis 38:26). The story primarily highlights God's sovereignty in preserving the promised lineage despite human sin and moral complexity, demonstrating His ability to work through imperfect means to achieve His perfect will. It's a testament to God's grace and His capacity to bring about His purposes even when human agents act in morally ambiguous ways.
What does the word "behold" (KJV) signify in this verse?
Answer: The Hebrew word translated "behold" (וְהִנֵּה, vehinnēh) is a common interjection used to draw attention to something new, surprising, or particularly noteworthy. In Genesis 38:27, it emphatically signals the unexpected nature of finding twins during Tamar's labor. It serves to heighten the drama and underscore the significance of this discovery, indicating to the reader that this is not just a routine birth but a divinely orchestrated event with profound implications for the unfolding narrative and the divine plan of redemption.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 38:27, with its surprising revelation of twins, is profoundly Christ-centered in its fulfillment, specifically through the birth of Perez. Despite the morally ambiguous and unconventional circumstances surrounding his conception, Perez is explicitly named in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in the New Testament (Matthew 1:3). This verse powerfully underscores God's unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan, demonstrating His sovereignty over human actions, even sin and deception. God orchestrates events, using unexpected individuals like Tamar and surprising discoveries like the twins, to ensure the continuation of the promised lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come. It highlights that Christ's ancestry is not one of perfect human righteousness, but one woven through the complexities and imperfections of human history, showcasing God's extraordinary grace and His ability to redeem all circumstances for His ultimate purpose of salvation. The twin birth, particularly the unexpected prominence of Perez (the "breacher"), foreshadows Christ's own breaking through the barriers of sin and death to establish a new covenant.