‘And it happened that in the time of her labour pains, behold, twins were in her womb. And it happened that when she was enduring her suffering one put out his hand, and the midwife took and bound on his hand a scarlet thread, saying, “This came out first.” And it happened, that as he drew back his hand, behold his brother came out. And she said, “Why have you made a breach for yourself?” That is why his name was called Perez. And afterwards his brother came out, he who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was called Zerah.'
The happenings at the birth of her children were as confusing as the story of their conception, and it was so unusual that it was remembered in detail. It was no doubt looked on as significant for the future.
“Perez”, that is ‘made a breach.' From him were descended the Perezites (Numbers 26:20). He was the father of Hezron and Hamul (Genesis 46:12) who were numbered among ‘the seventy' (Genesis 46:27) replacing Er and Onan.
“Zerah”, that is ‘coming forth (especially of the sun)'. From him were descended the Zerahites (Numbers 26:20) among whom was Achan who withheld the ‘devoted' thing (Joshua 7).
So after his betrayal of Joseph, Judah is shown to have gone from sin to sin. Truly if we sow the wind we will reap the whirlwind.