“And afterward came out his brother that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.”
Genesis 38:30 is a verse that concludes the story of Tamar and Judah. To understand its significance, it is essential to examine the broader context of Genesis 38.
In Genesis 38, we read about Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, who had married a Canaanite woman and had three sons. His firstborn, Er, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord put him to death. According to the Levirate law, which was a custom at that time, Judah asked his second son, Onan, to fulfill his duty by marrying Tamar, Er’s widow and providing an heir for his deceased brother. However, Onan also acted wickedly, and the Lord put him to death as well.
Judah was afraid to give his third son, Shelah, to Tamar in marriage, fearing that he might die as well. Consequently, Judah promised Tamar that when Shelah was of age, he would give him to her in marriage. However, as time passed, Judah did not fulfill his promise, and Tamar was left without a husband or children.
In her desperation to continue the family line, Tamar took matters into her own hands. She disguised herself as a prostitute and sat by the roadside where Judah was passing. Not recognizing Tamar, Judah approached her and propositioned her. Tamar agreed but requested a pledge until Judah sent her payment, asking for his signet, cord, and staff. After their encounter, Tamar returned home and resumed her identity.
When Judah sent his friend to deliver the payment to the prostitute, she was nowhere to be found. Judah did not pursue the matter any further, and the incident seemed to be forgotten. Three months later, Judah received news that Tamar, his daughter-in-law, was pregnant, which greatly troubled him. He ordered her to be brought forth and sentenced to death for her apparent immorality.
As Tamar was being brought out, she presented the items Judah had given her as proof of the father’s identity. Judah recognized them and acknowledged that Tamar was more righteous than him because he had not fulfilled his promise to her. The child she was carrying was the result of their encounter, and Judah acknowledged that he was the father.
In verse 30, it is mentioned that Tamar gave birth to twins. The firstborn son, who emerged with a scarlet thread on his hand, was named Zarah. The scarlet thread was likely a sign of his emergence, as the midwife tied it around his hand during birth, indicating his intention to be the firstborn. However, Zarah did not become the official firstborn, as his brother Perez, who extended his hand first, ultimately emerged as the recognized firstborn.
The inclusion of Zarah’s name in this verse serves as a reminder of the events that transpired and emphasizes the fulfillment of Tamar’s actions. It also highlights the significance of the scarlet thread, which was symbolic of Zarah’s initial claim to the firstborn position.
Overall, Genesis 38:30 concludes the account of Tamar and Judah, illustrating the consequences of their actions. It showcases God’s sovereignty in bringing about justice and ensuring that the line of Judah continued through the birth of Perez, who became an ancestor of Jesus Christ. The scarlet thread and the mention of Zarah’s name serve as reminders of the events and lessons learned from this particular episode in the book of Genesis.
