Twins
Genesis 38 tells of the birth of twins, in a family story that is not easy reading. Tamar was in labour when one child put out a hand, and the midwife tied a scarlet thread on it, saying, “This came out first.” Then the baby drew back, and his brother was born before him. She named him Pharez, which means a breach, and the one with the thread was called Zarah. The detail matters later, since Pharez is named in the line that leads to David. The chapter is short, and the twins’ arrival comes at its close, in verses 27 to 30.
4 verses
Genesis
And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.
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.
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.
And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.