Genesis 38:28

Afrikaans Bible (ABA) 2007 (Bybel vir almal)

Toe die babas gebore word, steek die een sy hand uit. Die vrou wat vir Tamar gehelp het, neem toe 'n stuk rooi garing en bind dit om sy arm. Sy het gesê: “Hierdie een het eerste uitgekom.”

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes the birth of twins where the first one to put out his hand was marked with a red thread by the midwife. However, he then drew back his hand, and the second one was born first. There is no direct speaker in this verse; it is a narrative passage. The key message is about the unexpected reversal of birth order, foreshadowing future events involving these twins.

Explained for Children

Imagine you and your twin friend are racing to touch a finish line. Your friend reaches out first, but then pulls back and you touch it first. That’s kind of what happened here. The midwife tried to mark the first one, but the second one came out instead!

Historical Background

The Book of Genesis was compiled by Moses around 1400-1200 BCE. This passage is part of the narrative of Jacob's son Judah and his family. The cultural setting reflects ancient Near Eastern customs, including the use of midwives and symbolic practices like the scarlet thread.

Living It Out Today

In a modern context, consider a situation where a younger sibling takes on leadership roles traditionally expected from the older sibling. This could happen in a family business or community roles, showing how unexpected reversals can lead to new outcomes.

Topics

• birth
• twins
• reversal
• signs
• narrative
• genealogy

Related Verses

• Genesis 25:22-26
• Romans 9:10-13
• Genesis 41:51-52
• 2 Samuel 13:1-2
• Ephesians 1:11

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the scarlet thread used?

The scarlet thread was likely used as a marker to indicate which baby came out first, emphasizing the importance of birth order in ancient times.

What is the significance of the reversal of birth order?

The reversal foreshadows the roles that these twins will play later in the story, showing that God’s plans sometimes go against human expectations.

How does this story connect to the rest of Genesis?

This story is part of the larger narrative of the patriarchs and their families, illustrating the complex family dynamics and God’s involvement in shaping the future of Israel.

What can we learn about midwifery from this verse?

This verse gives us a glimpse into ancient midwifery practices, where midwives used simple methods like scarlet threads to mark significant events during childbirth.