Genesis 38:29-30
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The midwife's exclamation, "How hast thou broken forth?" isn't just about the physical act of birth; it's a recognition of a divine disruption. The name Perez, meaning "breach" or "force," highlights how this child's very arrival was a powerful, unexpected breakthrough, bursting forth against all odds and foreshadowing his lineage's future impact.
But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez. Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter recounts a deeply troubling episode involving Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar, revealing moral failures within Jacob's family, which contrasts sharply with the later lineage of King David and ultimately, Jesus. After Judah's first two sons die, he devises a plan to avoid giving Tamar his third son, Shelah, but Tamar, feeling deceived and left barren, orchestrates a situation where Judah, mistaking her for a prostitute, fathers twins with her. The birth of these twins, Perez and Zerah, concludes the difficult narrative, highlighting the surprising ways God can bring good from sin and setting the stage for the Messianic line.
Names in the Bible often carry deep meaning and significance, reflecting God's purposes or human circumstances. The name Perez is no exception.
The birth of Perez is remarkable not just for the unusual way he entered the world, but for the meaning behind his name. The midwife exclaims, "How hast thou broken forth? This breach be upon thee!" (Genesis 38:29). This exclamation is the root of his name, Perez, meaning "breach" or "breaker."
It’s a name born out of a dramatic and unexpected birth. As the twins were born, one emerged partially, then retreated, allowing his brother to come forth first. This act of "breaking through" earned him the name Perez. It's a name that speaks of forceful entry, of overcoming obstacles, and of carving out a path where none seemed possible.
The story leading up to Perez's birth is fraught with human failure, deceit, and shame. Yet, God’s redemptive plan shines through.
This verse is nestled within one of the most morally complex narratives in Genesis. Judah, Tamar, and their actions are far from ideal. Judah commits sexual sin with his daughter-in-law, whom he mistakes for a prostitute. Tamar, seeking justice for Judah's broken promise, devises a plan that leads to their encounter. The birth of twins, Perez and Zerah, from this union is a testament to God's sovereignty.
Despite the sinful circumstances, God’s hand is evident. Perez, the child born through this morally compromised situation, becomes a crucial ancestor in the lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. This highlights a profound truth: God can bring about His perfect purposes even through imperfect people and messy situations. The "breach" made by Perez wasn't just physical; it was a breach in the expected line of succession, yet one that God used to bring forth His promised salvation.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
perets · Hebrew Noun
Literally meaning a break, gap, or rupture. In a theological sense, it often refers to a violation of order, a breach of covenant, or an unexpected turn of events that disrupts established expectations.
This dramatic birth narrative, with its echoes of struggle and forceful entry, foreshadows the lineage of Judah. It highlights how God's redemptive plan often works through unexpected and even morally complex circumstances, ultimately bringing forth a line that will lead to the Messiah, the ultimate 'Breaker' through whom salvation comes.
c. 1800 BC
Judah's Marriage to a Canaanite
Judah, son of Jacob, marries a Canaanite woman, against the implicit tribal customs. This union produces three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah.
c. 1790 BC
Death of Er and Onan
Judah's firstborn, Er, marries Tamar. Er is struck dead by the Lord for wickedness. Onan, the second son, marries Tamar according to the law of the levirate, but spills his seed to avoid procreation and is also killed by the Lord.
c. 1788 BC
Judah withholds Shelah from Tamar
Judah, fearing for his last son Shelah, sends Tamar back to her father's house, promising her Shelah when he grows up. Tamar lives as a widow, but Shelah is never given to her.
c. 1787 BC
Tamar's Deception of Judah
Disguised as a prostitute, Tamar seduces Judah, who does not recognize her. She takes his signet, cord, and staff as a pledge for a promised goat. Judah is unknowingly the father of her twins.
c. 1787 BC— this verse
Tamar's Trial and Vindication
When Tamar is discovered to be pregnant, Judah condemns her to be burned. She reveals the pledges, proving Judah is the father. Judah acknowledges her righteousness and his own sin, and they do not have relations again.
c. 1787 BC
Birth of Perez and Zerah
Tamar gives birth to twins, Perez and Zerah. Perez is born first, after his twin's hand emerges and retreats, a dramatic entrance that earns him his name, 'Breach.'
This passage directly links Pharez (Perez), the son born through this remarkable act in Genesis 38, to the lineage of Jesus, highlighting the divine plan even within human brokenness.
Micah 2:13This prophecy speaks of a 'breacher' who goes before his flock, a powerful image that echoes the name Perez and the event of his birth, suggesting a divine hand at work in this unexpected emergence.
Romans 5:20This verse speaks of where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. The 'breach' made by Perez can be seen as a symbol of human sin and failure, met by God's abundant grace that extends even to the lineage of the Messiah.
Hebrews 7:14This verse states that our Lord was descended from Judah, directly connecting the lineage to the tribe where this complex and scandalous event unfolded, emphasizing God's sovereign choice despite human imperfection.
calvinGenesis 38:1-30: "And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah."
Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
Et dixit Jehudah ad Thamar nurum suam, Mane vidua in domo patris tui, donec crescat Selah filius meus: dicebat…
pulpitGenesis 38:29: "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."
Verse 29. - And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she (i.e. the midwife) said, How hast thou broken forth! this breach be upon thee: - literally, What a breach hast thou made! upon thee, a breach, or, Why hast thou broken forth for thyself a br…
The midwife's exclamation, "How hast thou broken forth?" isn't just about the physical act of birth; it's a recognition of a divine disruption. The name Perez, meaning "breach" or "force," highlights how this child's very arrival was a powerful, unexpected breakthrough, bursting forth against all odds and foreshadowing his lineage's future impact.
This chapter recounts a deeply troubling episode involving Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar, revealing moral failures within Jacob's family, which contrasts sharply with the later lineage of King David and ultimately, Jesus. After Judah's first two sons die, he devises a plan to avoid giving Tamar his third son, Shelah, but Tamar, feeling deceived and left barren, orchestrates a situation where Judah, mistaking her for a prostitute, fathers twins with her. The birth of these twins, Perez and Zerah, concludes the difficult narrative, highlighting the surprising ways God can bring good from sin and setting the stage for the Messianic line.
This chapter recounts a deeply troubling episode involving Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar, revealing moral failures within Jacob's family, which contrasts sharply with the later lineage of King David and ultimately, Jesus. After Judah's first two sons die, he devises a plan to avoid giving Tamar his third son, Shelah, but Tamar, feeling deceived and left barren, orchestrates a situation where Judah, mistaking her for a prostitute, fathers twins with her. The birth of these twins, Perez and Zerah, concludes the difficult narrative, highlighting the surprising ways God can bring good from sin and setting the stage for the Messianic line.
"But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez. Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was…" — The midwife's exclamation, "How hast thou broken forth?" isn't just about the physical act of birth; it's a recognition of a divine disruption. The name Perez, meaning "breach" or "force," highlights…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
