Genesis 38:28

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when she travailed {H3205}, that the one put out {H5414} his hand {H3027}: and the midwife {H3205} took {H3947} and bound {H7194} upon his hand {H3027} a scarlet thread {H8144}, saying {H559}, This came out {H3318} first {H7223}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As she was in labor, one of them put out his hand; and the midwife took his hand and tied a scarlet thread on it, saying, "This one came out first."

Berean Standard Bible

And 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.

American Standard Version

And 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 38:28 provides a vivid and pivotal account of the birth of Tamar’s twin sons, Zerah and Perez, focusing on the dramatic moment when one twin's hand emerges first, prompting the midwife to mark it with a scarlet thread. This seemingly minor detail sets the stage for a profound divine reversal of human expectation, underscoring God's sovereign control over lineage and destiny, and laying foundational groundwork for the unfolding narrative of redemption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis chapter 38 serves as a distinct, yet deeply integrated, narrative interlude within the broader Joseph saga, specifically interrupting the flow between [Joseph's sale into slavery in Genesis 37](/genesis/37 "Joseph Sold into Slavery") and his subsequent trials in Egypt detailed in [Genesis 39](/genesis/39 "Joseph and Potiphar's Wife"). This chapter shifts focus abruptly to Judah, Joseph's brother, highlighting his moral failings and eventual vindication of Tamar. The events of [Genesis 38:1-27](/genesis/38-1-27 "Judah and Tamar") lead to Tamar's pregnancy by Judah, disguised as a harlot, after Judah failed to provide his third son, Shelah, for levirate marriage. The birth of the twins, Zerah and Perez, is the culmination of this dramatic episode, directly preceding the narrative's return to Joseph. The detailed account of the birth, particularly the struggle for the firstborn position, serves as a narrative device to introduce themes of divine sovereignty and the subversion of human expectations, which resonate throughout the biblical narrative.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Childbirth in ancient Israel was a highly significant event, often attended by a midwife, who played a crucial role in assisting the delivery and identifying the firstborn. The firstborn son held immense legal, social, and spiritual privileges, including a double inheritance and the right to leadership within the family. The act of marking a child, as seen with the scarlet thread, was a practical measure to ensure accurate identification, especially in multiple births, and to publicly acknowledge the heir. The "scarlet thread" (Hebrew: *shânîy*) would have been a common, visible material, likely dyed with crimson from the coccus insect, signifying its distinctness. This practice underscores the cultural importance placed on birth order and lineage, providing a backdrop against which the divine subversion of these human expectations becomes even more striking.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 38:28 contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's ability to orchestrate events, even seemingly mundane or scandalous ones, to fulfill His purposes, often overriding human plans and expectations. Secondly, it highlights the **Subversion of Primogeniture**, a recurring motif in Genesis where God frequently chooses the younger or less expected son to carry the covenant promises, as seen with [Jacob over Esau in Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Jacob and Esau's Birth Prophecy") and [Isaac over Ishmael in Genesis 21:12](/genesis/21-12 "God's Promise to Isaac"). This verse sets up a dramatic instance of this theme. Finally, the birth of Zerah and Perez, despite the controversial circumstances, is crucial for the **Messianic Lineage**, as both are included in the genealogy of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ, as noted in [Matthew 1:3](/matthew/1-3 "Perez's Ancestry in Jesus' Genealogy"), emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenant promises through imperfect human instruments.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The verse captures a critical moment during Tamar's childbirth, where human actions and expectations are sharply contrasted with divine intention.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **yâlad (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** This primitive root means "to bear young," "to beget," or, as used here, "to act as midwife" or "to travail." The KJV translates "when she travailed" and "midwife" from variations of this root (H3205). It emphasizes the intense, active process of childbirth and the crucial role of the midwife in assisting and managing the delivery, particularly in identifying the firstborn.
* **yâd (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** Meaning "hand," this word (H3027) is used literally here to describe the first part of the child to emerge from the womb. In broader biblical contexts, "hand" can symbolize power, authority, means, or direction. Here, it is the physical manifestation of the child's attempt to claim the firstborn status, a symbol of the impending birth and the struggle within the womb.
* **shânîy (Hebrew, _shânîy'_):** This term (H8144) refers to "scarlet thread" or "crimson." It describes the specific color and material used by the midwife. While its primary function here is practical—a visible marker—the color scarlet itself carries significant symbolic weight elsewhere in scripture, often associated with life, blood, or purification (e.g., the tabernacle coverings or the cleansing of lepers). In this context, it is a clear, unmistakable identifier for the presumed firstborn.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when she travailed":** This opening phrase sets the scene, indicating the onset of intense labor for Tamar. The verb "travailed" (from H3205, *yâlad*) conveys the physical exertion and the imminent arrival of the children, building anticipation for the birth.
* **"that [the one] put out [his] hand":** This is the crucial action. One of the twins extends a hand from the womb, a physical manifestation of the struggle for primacy. The verb "put out" (from H5414, *nâthan*, "to give, put, set") highlights a deliberate, albeit instinctive, action by the unborn child, indicating its readiness to be born. This act immediately signals the potential firstborn.
* **"and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread":** The midwife's immediate and decisive action. Recognizing the significance of the protruding hand, she "took" (H3947, *lâqach*, "to take, seize") a "scarlet thread" (H8144, *shânîy*) and "bound" (H7194, *qâshar*, "to tie, bind") it onto the hand. This was a practical and culturally significant act to mark the child who was expected to be the firstborn, ensuring no confusion given the multiple birth.
* **"saying, This came out first":** The midwife's declaration confirms the immediate purpose of her action. Her words (from H559, *ʼâmar*, "to say, declare") solidify the expectation that the child with the scarlet thread is the firstborn. This statement, however, serves as a dramatic setup for the unexpected reversal that follows in the very next verse, highlighting the fallibility of human pronouncements even in the face of clear evidence.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 38:28 employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the midwife's declaration, "This came out first," immediately sets up the dramatic reversal that occurs in [Genesis 38:29](/genesis/38-29 "Perez's Unexpected Birth"), where Perez unexpectedly emerges before Zerah. This creates narrative tension and anticipates the theme of divine subversion of human expectations. There is also a subtle layer of **Irony**, as the very act intended to definitively mark the firstborn ultimately highlights the unexpected divine intervention that overrides human certainty. While the scarlet thread's primary function is practical, its color may carry a degree of **Symbolism**, given its association with life, blood, and redemption elsewhere in scripture, though its immediate narrative purpose is identification. The entire scene functions as a **Type**, pointing forward to God's sovereign choice in the messianic line, often bypassing the conventionally expected.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 38:28 is a powerful theological statement on God's sovereignty, particularly His freedom to choose and act outside of human conventions and expectations. The dramatic scene of the midwife marking the presumed firstborn, only for that expectation to be overturned, underscores that God's ways are not our ways, and His choices are not bound by human tradition or natural order. This narrative reinforces the recurring biblical theme that God often works through the unexpected, the less prominent, or even the morally compromised, to achieve His redemptive purposes. It highlights His faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when human circumstances are scandalous or convoluted, demonstrating His ability to bring good out of challenging situations.

* [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's Choice of Jacob over Esau"): The Lord tells Rebekah that "two nations are in your womb... and the older will serve the younger," foreshadowing the divine choice of Jacob over Esau, despite Esau being the firstborn.
* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "God Looks on the Heart"): God rejects Jesse's older, more outwardly impressive sons, telling Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height... The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart," before choosing David, the youngest.
* [Romans 9:10-13](/romans/9-10-13 "God's Sovereign Choice"): Paul explicitly references Jacob and Esau's birth to illustrate God's sovereign election, stating, "before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, 'The older will serve the younger.' Just as it is written: 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.'"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 38:28 serves as a profound reminder that God's ways often transcend human logic and expectation. Just as the midwife's clear marking of the firstborn was overturned by divine providence, so too are our carefully laid plans and assumptions often subject to God's higher design. This passage encourages us to cultivate a deep and abiding trust in God's ultimate sovereignty, even when circumstances seem to deviate from what we anticipate or deem logical. It challenges us to look beyond immediate appearances and human markers, recognizing that God is actively at work in the unexpected, orchestrating events for His glory and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan. It reminds us that His thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than ours, inviting us to surrender our expectations to His perfect will, knowing that He is always working for our good and His glory, even in the most surprising turns of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this narrative challenge your assumptions about what is "natural" or "expected" in God's plan?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on human markers or expectations rather than trusting God's sovereign hand?**
* **What does this story teach you about God's ability to work through imperfect circumstances and individuals to achieve His divine purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why did the midwife use a scarlet thread?**

Answer: The midwife used a scarlet thread as a practical and immediate marker to identify the child whose hand emerged first. In ancient birthing customs, the firstborn held significant status, and this thread served as a clear, visible declaration of that expected position, especially crucial in a multiple birth to prevent confusion.

**Does the scarlet thread have symbolic meaning in this specific context?**

Answer: While scarlet thread appears in other biblical contexts with rich symbolic meaning (e.g., [Rahab's scarlet cord in Joshua 2:18](/joshua/2-18 "Rahab's Scarlet Cord of Deliverance") or the cleansing rituals in [Leviticus 14:4](/leviticus/14-4 "Scarlet Thread in Cleansing Rituals")), in Genesis 38:28, its primary purpose is practical: to mark the presumed firstborn. Any deeper symbolic meaning beyond a practical identifier is not directly implied within this specific narrative, though its color is certainly striking.

**What is the significance of the birth order being reversed in the next verse?**

Answer: The reversal of birth order, where Perez, not Zerah (who was marked), is born first, is profoundly significant. It powerfully demonstrates divine sovereignty, showing God's ability to override human expectations and natural order to fulfill His purposes. This theme of God choosing the less expected or younger is recurrent in biblical narratives (e.g., [Jacob over Esau](/genesis/25-23 "God's Choice of Jacob")) and highlights that God's favor and choice are not always tied to primogeniture or human conventions, but to His own divine will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly minor detail of the birth of Tamar’s twins in [Genesis 38:28](/genesis/38-28 "The Birth of Perez and Zerah"), and the subsequent reversal of their birth order, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the lineage and person of Jesus Christ. Despite the scandalous circumstances of their conception and the unexpected turn of events at their birth, both Zerah and Perez are included in the messianic genealogy, with Perez specifically named in [Matthew 1:3](/matthew/1-3 "Perez's Ancestry in Jesus' Genealogy"). This narrative powerfully demonstrates God's sovereign ability to work through imperfect human situations, unexpected turns, and even moral failings, to bring about His redemptive plan. The subversion of the expected firstborn status, where the one marked as first is ultimately born second, foreshadows how God's chosen King, the Messiah, would not always come through the most obvious or traditionally privileged line, but through His own divine election. Christ, the ultimate "younger brother" in terms of His humble earthly beginnings, perfectly fulfills God's promises, demonstrating that true spiritual primacy is not based on human merit or birthright, but on God's gracious and sovereign choice, culminating in the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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.