But when he pulled his hand back and his brother came out, she said, “You have broken out first!” So he was named Perez.
Here is, I. Judah's rigour against Tamar, when he heard she was an adulteress. She was, in the eye of the law, Shelah's wife, and therefore her being with child by another was looked upon as an injury and reproach to Judah's family: Bring her forth therefore, says Judah, the master of the family, and let her be burnt; not burnt to death, but burnt...
Commenting on Genesis 38:24-30
And afterward came out his brother that had the scarlet thread upon his hand,.... By which it was known that he so far came out first; which confirms the remarkable birth of his brother, who notwithstanding got the start of him: and his name was called Zarah; not from "rising", or his coming forth like the rising sun, as is usually observed; but rather from...
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. (l) Their heinous sin was signified by this monstrous birth. (m) Or the separation between you and your brother.