Genesis 38:29

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיְהִ֣י׀ H1961
וַיְהִ֣י׀
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּמֵשִׁ֣יב And it came to pass as he drew back H7725
כְּמֵשִׁ֣יב And it came to pass as he drew back
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 2 of 14
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יָד֗וֹ his hand H3027
יָד֗וֹ his hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 3 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְהִנֵּה֙ H2009
וְהִנֵּה֙
Strong's: H2009
Word #: 4 of 14
lo!
יָצָ֣א came out H3318
יָצָ֣א came out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 5 of 14
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אָחִ֔יו that behold his brother H251
אָחִ֔יו that behold his brother
Strong's: H251
Word #: 6 of 14
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וַתֹּ֕אמֶר and she said H559
וַתֹּ֕אמֶר and she said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 7 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)
מַה H4100
מַה
Strong's: H4100
Word #: 8 of 14
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
פָּרַ֖צְתָּ How hast thou broken forth H6555
פָּרַ֖צְתָּ How hast thou broken forth
Strong's: H6555
Word #: 9 of 14
to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)
עָלֶ֣יךָ H5921
עָלֶ֣יךָ
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 10 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פָּ֑רֶץ this breach H6556
פָּ֑רֶץ this breach
Strong's: H6556
Word #: 11 of 14
a break (literally or figuratively)
וַיִּקְרָ֥א was called H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֥א was called
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 12 of 14
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שְׁמ֖וֹ be upon thee therefore his name H8034
שְׁמ֖וֹ be upon thee therefore his name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 13 of 14
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
פָּֽרֶץ׃ Pharez H6557
פָּֽרֶץ׃ Pharez
Strong's: H6557
Word #: 14 of 14
perets, the name of two israelites

Analysis & Commentary

And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal:

  1. God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions
  2. suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment
  3. forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation
  4. God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people
  5. how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes.

Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

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