Interesting Facts

• Zarah was one of the twins born to Tamar.
• His twin brother was named Pharez.
• At the time of their birth, Zarah initially put out his hand, and the midwife tied a scarlet thread around it, identifying him as the first to emerge.
• However, Zarah drew back his hand, and his brother Pharez was born first.
• Zarah’s birth occurred in the seventh year of the second week.

Genealogy

• Zarah was the son of Judah.
• His mother was Tamar, the daughter of Elam, the son of Shem.
• He had a twin brother, Pharez.
• He was a grandson of Jacob (Israel).
• His lineage connects him to the tribe of Judah, which later became a prominent tribe in Israel.
• Zarah is listed among the sons of Judah.

Historical Context

Zarah was born in Canaan before Jacob and his family migrated to Egypt. His birth is situated within the complex circumstances involving his mother Tamar, initially married to Judah’s son Er, who died. After the death of Judah’s second son, Onan, Tamar conceived Zarah and his twin brother Pharez through Judah. The specified timeframe of his birth, the seventh year of the second week (calculated as 2170 A.M. according to one reckoning), places his early life within the developing family structures of Jacob’s sons. This period precedes the significant famine that would later lead the family to Egypt under the leadership of Joseph. Zarah’s early experiences would have been within the pastoral life of Jacob’s clan in Canaan, shaped by the familial relationships and traditions of his Hebrew heritage.

Narrative

The narrative surrounding Zarah is primarily intertwined with the account of his unusual birth alongside his twin brother Pharez. During Tamar’s labor, Zarah first extended his hand, prompting the midwife to mark it with a scarlet thread as a sign of the firstborn. However, he withdrew his hand, and Pharez emerged first. This event is how Pharez received his name, signifying a “breach” or “breaking forth”. While Zarah’s initial action suggested he would be the firstborn, Pharez’s eventual emergence first is a notable detail in the family’s history. The significance of the firstborn status within their culture would have made this reversal noteworthy. Although the provided sources do not elaborate on Zarah’s life, actions, or dialogues beyond this pivotal event of his birth, his lineage is acknowledged through his listing as a son of Judah who came into Egypt with Jacob and his family. His birth story serves as an important part of the early genealogy of the tribe of Judah, highlighting the unexpected turns within the unfolding family history.