Genesis 38:30

30 Then his brother was born with the red thread on his arm, and he was named Zerah.

Genesis 38:30 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 38:30

And afterward came out his brother that had the scarlet
thread upon his hand
By which it was known that he so far came out first; which confirms the remarkable birth of his brother, who notwithstanding got the start of him: and his name was called Zarah;
not from "rising", or his coming forth like the rising sun, as is usually observed; but rather from his return, or drawing back his hand, and as it were returning to his mother's womb; and so, according to Hillerus ^F12, Zarah, by a transposition of letters, comes from (rzx) "Chazar", to return: but Jarchi thinks he had his name from the refulgent appearance of the scarlet thread on his wrist.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F12 Onomastic. Sacr. p. 372.

Genesis 38:30 In-Context

28 While she was in labor, one of them put out an arm; the midwife caught it, tied a red thread around it, and said, "This one was born first."

29 But he pulled his arm back, and his brother was born first. Then the midwife said, "So this is how you break your way out!" So he was named Perez.

30 Then his brother was born with the red thread on his arm, and he was named Zerah.

Footnotes

• [a]. zerah: [This name sounds like a Hebrew word for the red brightness of dawn.]