And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.

GENESIS 38:28KJV
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Genesis 38:28 (KJV)

What does Genesis 38:28 mean?

Genesis 38:28 describes how, during Tamar’s labor, one of the twins put out his hand first, so the midwife tied a scarlet thread around it to mark him as the firstborn. The midwife did this because it was important to know which child came out first, as birth order affected inheritance and family status.

In this scene, Tamar is giving birth to twins after her unusual relationship with Judah. The midwife is present to help with the delivery and to witness which child is born first. The act of tying a scarlet thread is a practical way to identify the firstborn, showing the importance placed on birth order in ancient families.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 38:28

  • The word for “travailed” is יָלַד (yalad), which means to give birth or be in labor. This emphasizes Tamar’s active role in the childbirth process.
  • The word for “hand” is יָד (yad), a common word for hand, but here it highlights the unusual situation where the baby’s hand appears before the rest of the body.
  • The word for “thread” is שָׁנִי (shani), meaning scarlet or crimson thread. The color is significant, making the mark clearly visible and memorable.
  • The word for “first” is רִאשׁוֹן (rishon), meaning first or chief, underlining the importance of identifying the firstborn among the twins.

Why Genesis 38:28 matters

  • Genesis 38:28 clears up any confusion about how the midwife could know which twin was the firstborn, showing the practical step taken to mark the child.
  • The verse highlights the importance of birth order in ancient Israelite society, especially for inheritance rights and family lineage.
  • This moment sets up the surprising twist in the story, where the child with the thread does not actually come out first, which has implications for the family line of Judah and the story’s outcome.

Where else these words appear

“thread” Hebrew H8144 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 38:30 And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.
  • Exodus 35:25 And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
  • Leviticus 14:4 Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:

“bound” Hebrew H7194 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 30:41 And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.
  • 1 Kings 16:20 Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 25:27 Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.