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.

GENESIS 38:29KJV
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Genesis 38:29 (KJV)

What does Genesis 38:29 mean?

Genesis 38:29 describes how, during the birth of Tamar’s twins, the second child unexpectedly came out first after the first baby’s hand had already appeared. Because of this surprising turn, the midwife exclaimed about the breach, and the boy was named Pharez, meaning “breach” or “breakthrough.”

In this scene, Tamar is giving birth to twins, and the midwife is present. The first baby’s hand comes out, but then it is drawn back, and the other twin is actually born first. The midwife’s words and the naming of Pharez highlight the unusual and dramatic nature of his birth, which sets the stage for his role in the family line.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 38:29

  • "forth" (פָּרַץ, parats): This word means to break through or burst out. It emphasizes the suddenness and forcefulness of Pharez’s birth, which was unexpected and out of the normal order.
  • "breach" (פֶּרֶץ, perets): This noun comes from the same root as "forth" and means a break or gap. The midwife uses it to describe what happened, marking the birth as an event that broke the expected sequence.
  • "Pharez" (פֶּרֶץ, Perets): The name given to the child directly reflects the event, as it literally means “breach” or “breakthrough.” The naming ties the child’s identity to the unusual circumstances of his birth.

Why Genesis 38:29 matters

  • Genesis 38:29 clarifies why the child was named Pharez, directly linking his name to the dramatic and unexpected way he entered the world.
  • The verse highlights the theme of reversal and surprise in the family line, which is a recurring idea in Genesis, where the expected order is often upended.
  • Understanding this birth story helps explain the significance of Pharez in later genealogies, especially since he becomes an ancestor of King David and, according to the New Testament, Jesus.

Where else these words appear

“Pharez” Hebrew H6557 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 46:12 And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.
  • Ruth 4:18 Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,
  • 1 Chronicles 9:4 Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah.

“breach” Hebrew H6556 · used in 18 verses

  • Judges 21:15 And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.
  • 1 Chronicles 14:11 So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim.
  • Isaiah 30:13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

“forth” Hebrew H6555 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:38 These mentioned by their names were princes in their families: and the house of their fathers increased greatly.
  • Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.