Genesis 38:27 Commentary and Bible Study

Matthew’s Gospel in recording the genealogy of Christ tells us ‘And Judas [Judah] begat Phares [Pharez] and Zara [Zarah] of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom’ (Matthew 1:3). The extraordinary fact is that this scandalous encounter was going to lead to the birth of the Messiah, and it is even the case that Tamar is one of only four women whose names are included in the genealogy. It is also unusual that Pharez and his brother Zerah are both named, even though only one of them was the ancestor of the Messiah; it was as though they were competing in the womb for this honour. By this scandalous union, the royal line was preserved through Judah!When it came to the time of birth, Tamar was found to have twins. Like the twins within Rebekah, they seemed to struggle with each other to be the firstborn. Although Zerah, meaning ‘rising’, put his hand out first, Pharez was actually born before him, and so was given the name which means ‘breach’ because he broke through ahead of his brother. God’s choice was again based on an unexpected happening from man’s point of view. Judah! What he does with his prostitute; she turns out to be his daughter-in-law. His conduct, the conduct of all of them in these last two chapters, is awful. They have the best advantages, but dreadful behaviour. Joseph, is the very opposite. He faces many trials, many problems, much hatred, much derision, and yet he holds his faith and his humility throughout. Now the narrative will return to his history.