1 Chronicles 2:4
1 Chronicles 2:4 in Multiple Translations
Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.
And Tamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.
And Tamar his daughter-in-law bare him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.
And Tamar, his daughter-in-law, had Perez and Zerah by him. All the sons of Judah were five.
Tamar was Judah's daughter-in-law, and she bore him Perez and Zerah. Judah had a total of five sons.
And Thamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez, and Zerah: so al the sonnes of Iudah were fiue.
And Tamar his daughter-in-law hath borne to him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah [are] five.
Tamar his daughter-in-law bore him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.
And Tamar his daughter-in-law bore him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.
And Thamar his daughter in law bore him Phares and Zara. So all the sons of Juda were five.
Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar had twin boys named Perez and Zerah. So altogether Judah had five sons.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Chronicles 2:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Chronicles 2:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/תָמָר֙
כַּלָּת֔/וֹ
יָ֥לְדָה
לּ֖/וֹ
אֶת
פֶּ֣רֶץ
וְ/אֶת
זָ֑רַח
כָּל
בְּנֵ֥י
יְהוּדָ֖ה
חֲמִשָּֽׁה
וְ/תָמָר֙
Tâmâr
H8559
Tamar
Conj | N-proper
כַּלָּת֔/וֹ
kallâh
H3618
daughter-in-law
N-fs | Suff
יָ֥לְדָה
yâlad
H3205
to beget
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
לּ֖/וֹ
Prep | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
פֶּ֣רֶץ
Perets
H6557
Perez
N-proper
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
זָ֑רַח
Zerach
H2226
Zerah
N-proper
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
בְּנֵ֥י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
יְהוּדָ֖ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
Judah
N-proper
חֲמִשָּֽׁה
châmêsh
H2568
five
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Chronicles 2:4
וְ/תָמָר֙
Tâmâr
H8559
"Tamar"
Conj | N-proper
Tamar was the name of three women and a place in the Bible, including the wife of Judah's son Er. The name means palm tree and is also associated with the city of Tadmor
Definition: Tamar = "palm-tree" Sothernmost tip of Judah Another name of tad.mor (תַּדְמֹר "Tadmor" H8412)
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: Tamar. See also: Genesis 38:6; 2 Samuel 13:8; Ezekiel 48:28.
כַּלָּת֔/וֹ
kallâh
H3618
"daughter-in-law"
N-fs | Suff
In biblical times, this word referred to a bride or daughter-in-law, like Rebekah who became Isaac's bride in Genesis 24:67.
Definition: : bride 1) bride, daughter-in-law 1a) daughter-in-law 1b) bride, young wife Also means: kal.lah (כַּלָּה ": daughter-in-law" H3618H)
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: bride, daughter-in-law, spouse. See also: Genesis 11:31; Song of Solomon 4:10; Isaiah 49:18.
יָ֥לְדָה
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
לּ֖/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
פֶּ֣רֶץ
Perets
H6557
"Perez"
N-proper
Perez was an Israelite, the son of Judah and Tamar, and the twin brother of Zerah. His name means breach, and he was an ancestor of two families of Judah, the Hezronites and the Hamulites.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.38.29; son of: Judah (H3063) and Tamar (H8559); brother of: Zerah (H2226I); half-brother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956); father of: Hezron (H2696H) and Hamul (H2538) § Perez or Pharez = "breach" twin son with Zarah of Judah by Tamar and ancestor of two families of Judah, the Hezronites and Hamulites; from the Hezronites came the royal line of David and Christ
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: Perez, Pharez. See also: Genesis 38:29; 1 Chronicles 2:4; Nehemiah 11:6.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
זָ֑רַח
Zerach
H2226
"Zerah"
N-proper
Zerach was a man in the Bible, mentioned in Genesis and Numbers. He was a son of Simeon and had several brothers. The name Zerach means 'rising' and is also used for other people in the Bible.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Simeon living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.10; son of: Simeon (H8095); brother of: Jemuel (H3223), Jamin (H3226), Ohad (H0161), Jachin (H3199) and Shaul (H7586H); also called Zerah at Num.26.13,20; 2x27.11,13; § Zerah or Zarah = "rising" 1) a son of Reuel and grandson of Esau, one of the dukes of the Edomites 2) twin brother of Pharez, sons of Judah and Tamar; descendants are called Zarhites, Ezrahites, and Izrahites 3) son of Simeon; also called 'Zohar' 4) a Gershonite Levite, son of Iddo of Adaiah 5) the Ethiopian or Cushite, invader of Judah in the reign of Asa who defeated the invaders; probably the same as the Egyptian king Usarken I, second king of the Egyptian 22nd dynasty or perhaps more probably Usarken II, his 2nd successor 6) another Edomite leader; possibly same as 1
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: Zarah, Zerah. See also: Genesis 36:13; Joshua 22:20; Nehemiah 11:24.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בְּנֵ֥י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יְהוּדָ֖ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
"Judah"
N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
חֲמִשָּֽׁה
châmêsh
H2568
"five"
Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.
Study Notes — 1 Chronicles 2:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Chronicles 2:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 2:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 2:4
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 2:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 2:4
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 2:4
- Sermons on 1 Chronicles 2:4
Context — The Sons of Israel
2Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
3The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death.
4Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.
5The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. 6The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara —five in all.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 1:3 | Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. |
| 2 | Genesis 38:13–30 | When Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,” she removed her widow’s garments, covered her face with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that although Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife. When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute because she had covered her face. Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her and said, “Come now, let me sleep with you.” “What will you give me for sleeping with you?” she inquired. “I will send you a young goat from my flock,” Judah answered. But she replied, “Only if you leave me something as a pledge until you send it.” “What pledge should I give you?” he asked. She answered, “Your seal and your cord, and the staff in your hand.” So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. Then Tamar got up and departed. And she removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments again. Now when Judah sent his friend Hirah the Adullamite with the young goat to collect the items he had left with the woman, he could not find her. He asked the men of that place, “Where is the shrine prostitute who was beside the road at Enaim?” “No shrine prostitute has been here,” they answered. So Hirah returned to Judah and said, “I could not find her, and furthermore, the men of that place said, ‘No shrine prostitute has been here.’” “Let her keep the items,” Judah replied. “Otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you could not find her.” About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!” As she was being brought out, Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Please examine them. Whose seal and cord and staff are these?” Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again. When the time came for Tamar to give birth, there were twins in her womb. And as she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it around his wrist. “This one came out first,” she announced. But when he pulled his hand back and his brother came out, she said, “You have broken out first!” So he was named Perez. Then his brother came out with the scarlet thread around his wrist, and he was named Zerah. |
| 3 | Nehemiah 11:4 | while some of the descendants of Judah and Benjamin settled in Jerusalem.) From the descendants of Judah: Athaiah son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, a descendant of Perez; |
| 4 | Numbers 26:20–21 | These were the descendants of Judah by their clans: The Shelanite clan from Shelah, the Perezite clan from Perez, and the Zerahite clan from Zerah. And these were the descendants of Perez: the Hezronite clan from Hezron and the Hamulite clan from Hamul. |
| 5 | Genesis 38:11 | Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house. |
| 6 | Nehemiah 11:24 | Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, a descendant of Zerah son of Judah, was the king’s agent in every matter concerning the people. |
| 7 | Ruth 4:12 | And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.” |
| 8 | 1 Chronicles 9:4 | Uthai son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, a descendant of Perez son of Judah. |
| 9 | 1 Chronicles 9:6 | From the Zerahites: Jeuel and 690 relatives. |
| 10 | Luke 3:33 | the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, |
1 Chronicles 2:4 Summary
This verse tells us about Judah's family and how his daughter-in-law Tamar had two sons, Perez and Zerah. This was a special situation because Tamar had married Judah's son, but he had died, so she married Judah to keep the family line going, similar to what is described in Deuteronomy 25:5-6. Judah had a total of five sons, and this verse is important because it helps us understand the family tree of Jesus Christ, as seen in Matthew 1:3-6. It reminds us that God is always working in our lives, even in difficult circumstances, to bring about His plan and purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Tamar, Judah's daughter-in-law, bear children to Judah?
Tamar bore children to Judah as part of a levirate marriage, where a widow would marry her late husband's brother or, in this case, her father-in-law, to preserve the family line and inheritance, as seen in Deuteronomy 25:5-6 and Genesis 38:1-30.
What is significant about Perez and Zerah in the biblical narrative?
Perez and Zerah are significant because they are part of the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ, as recorded in Ruth 4:18-22 and Matthew 1:3-6.
How many sons did Judah have in total?
According to 1 Chronicles 2:4, Judah had five sons in all, including the three born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite, and the two born to him by Tamar, his daughter-in-law.
What can we learn from Judah's family dynamics?
Judah's family dynamics, including the death of his firstborn son Er and the births of Perez and Zerah, demonstrate God's sovereignty and providence in the lives of His people, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Genesis 50:20.
Reflection Questions
- How does this verse demonstrate God's ability to bring life and redemption out of difficult circumstances?
- What role does family and lineage play in the biblical narrative, and how does this verse contribute to that theme?
- In what ways can we see God's hand of providence in our own family histories, just as we see it in Judah's family?
- How can we apply the principles of levirate marriage and family preservation to our own lives and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 2:4
And Tamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez and Zerah,.... Through incest; they were twins, Genesis 38:27 all the sons of Judah were five; who are before mentioned by name.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 2:4
And Tamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 2:4
1 Chronicles 2:4 And Tamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah [were] five.Ver. 4. And Tamar.]
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 2:4
(4) Tamar.—Wife of Er. The story of her incest with Judah, the fruit of which was the twins Pharez (Heb., Perez) and Zerah (called Zarah, Genesis 38:30; and Zara, Matthew 1:3), is told in Genesis 38:8-30.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 2:4
3–17. The Descent of the Sons of Jesse from Judah 4. Pharez] R.V. Perez.
Sermons on 1 Chronicles 2:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Genesis by Jim Cymbala | Jim Cymbala preaches on Genesis 38, focusing on the flawed character of Judah and the messy circumstances surrounding his family. He emphasizes that despite Judah's moral failures, |
|
(Genesis) Genesis 37:34-36 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the grief of Jacob over the loss of his son Joseph. Jacob is seen mourning for his son and refusing to be comforted. The speaker suggests tha |
|
(The Works of Faith) God Loves Us as He Loved Jesus by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God. He encourages the audience to consider how they are spending their time and to make |
|
Through the Bible - Genesis 37-38 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith explores the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-38, focusing on the dynamics of sibling rivalry and the consequences of favoritism within Jacob's family. Joseph, favored by |