27 And it cometh to pass in the time of her bearing, that lo, twins 'are' in her womb; 28 and it cometh to pass in her bearing, that 'one' giveth out a hand, and the midwife taketh and bindeth on his hand a scarlet thread, saying, 'This hath come out first.' 29 And it cometh to pass as he draweth back his hand, that lo, his brother hath come out, and she saith, 'What! thou hast broken forth—on thee 'is' the breach;' and he calleth his name Pharez; 30 and afterwards hath his brother come out, on whose hand 'is' the scarlet thread, and he calleth his name Zarah.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 38:27-30
Chapter Contents
The profligate conduct of Judah and his family.
This chapter gives an account of Judah and his family, and such an account it is, that it seems a wonder that of all Jacob's sons, our Lord should spring out of Judah, John 8:41. What awful examples the Lord proclaims in his punishments, of his utter displeasure at sin! Let us seek grace from God to avoid every appearance of sin. And let that state of humbleness to which Jesus submitted, when he came to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, in appointing such characters as those here recorded, to be his ancestors, endear the Redeemer to our hearts.