“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.”
This verse is a part of the narrative found in the book of Genesis:specifically in the story of Judah and Tamar. To understand the significance of Genesis 38:29, it is helpful to examine the context and events leading up to this verse.
In Genesis 38:we learn that Judah, one of Jacob’s sons, had three sons named Er, Onan, and Shelah. Judah arranged for his firstborn son, Er, to marry a woman named Tamar. However, Er was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord put him to death. According to the law of levirate marriage, it was the duty of Er’s brother, Onan, to fulfil his brother’s obligation and produce offspring with Tamar to carry on the family line. However, Onan refused to fulfil this duty, and the Lord also put him to death.
After the deaths of his two sons, Judah was hesitant to give his youngest son, Shelah, to Tamar in marriage, fearing that he too might die. Tamar, realising that she would not receive Shelah as a husband, took matters into her own hands to secure her future and ensure the continuation of Judah’s lineage.
Tamar:disguised herself as a prostitute and waited by the roadside, where Judah happened to come by. Not recognising her, Judah approached Tamar, and they engaged in a sexual encounter. As a pledge for payment, Tamar took Judah’s signet ring, cord, and staff.
Later, when Judah sent a friend to deliver the payment to the supposed prostitute, she was nowhere to be found. Judah decided not to pursue the matter further, as he did not want to become a laughingstock.
Three months later, news reached Judah that Tamar was pregnant. In response, Judah ordered her to be brought out and burned, as she was accused of being a harlot. However, Tamar presented the signet ring, cord, and staff to Judah, revealing that he was the father of her child.
It is at this point that Genesis 38:29 comes into play. As Tamar was about to give birth, the midwife noticed a hand emerging from the womb. The child eventually fully emerged, and Tamar exclaimed, “How hast thou broken forth? This breach be upon thee.” The child was given the name Pharez, which means “breach” or “breakthrough.”
This verse highlights the birth of Pharez:who is important in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Pharez became one of the ancestors in the lineage of King David and, ultimately, of Jesus Himself. The name Pharez signifies the unexpected and unconventional nature of his birth.
In a broader sense, the story of Judah:and Tamar in Genesis 38 serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and deception. Both Judah and Tamar made choices that were morally questionable. Judah failed to fulfill his responsibility to provide offspring for Tamar through the levirate marriage, and Tamar resorted to deceit to secure her future. However, God’s sovereign plan worked through this flawed situation, and the birth of Pharez became part of His redemptive plan for humanity.
Through this account, we can see that God can bring about His purposes, even in the midst of human failings and shortcomings. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and His ability to bring good out of difficult circumstances.
