Genesis 38:27
New International Version
When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.

New Living Translation
When the time came for Tamar to give birth, it was discovered that she was carrying twins.

English Standard Version
When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb.

Berean Standard Bible
When the time came for Tamar to give birth, there were twins in her womb.

King James Bible
And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.

New King James Version
Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb.

New American Standard Bible
It came about at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were twins in her womb.

NASB 1995
It came about at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were twins in her womb.

NASB 1977
And it came about at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were twins in her womb.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were twins in her womb.

Amplified Bible
Now when the time came for her to give birth, there were twins in her womb.

Christian Standard Bible
When the time came for her to give birth, there were twins in her womb.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the time came for her to give birth, there were twins in her womb.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The time came for Tamar to give birth, and she had twin boys.

Good News Translation
When the time came for her to give birth, it was discovered that she was going to have twins.

International Standard Version
Later, when it was time for Tamar to give birth, she was carrying twins in her womb!

Majority Standard Bible
When the time came for Tamar to give birth, there were twins in her womb.

NET Bible
When it was time for her to give birth, there were twins in her womb.

New Heart English Bible
It happened when it was time for her to give birth, that look, there were twins in her womb.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that behold, twins were in her womb.

World English Bible
In the time of her travail, behold, twins were in her womb.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass in the time of her bearing, that behold, twins [are] in her womb;

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass in the time of her bearing, that lo, twins are in her womb;

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be in the time of her bringing forth, and behold, twins in her womb.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when she was ready to be brought to bed, there appeared twins in her womb: and in the very delivery of the infants, one put forth a hand, whereon the midwife tied a scarlet thread, saying:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, at the moment of birth, there appeared twins in the womb. And so, in the very delivery of the infants, one put forth a hand, on which the midwife tied a scarlet thread, saying,

New American Bible
When the time of her delivery came, there were twins in her womb.

New Revised Standard Version
When the time of her delivery came, there were twins in her womb.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass in the time of her travail that, behold, there were twins in her womb.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it was the time of her delivery, and behold twins were in her womb.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass when she was in labour, that she also had twins in her womb.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Birth of Perez and Zerah
27When the time came for Tamar to give birth, there were twins in her womb. 28And 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.…

Cross References
Matthew 1:3
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.

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.”

1 Chronicles 2:4
Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.

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,

Genesis 25:24
When her time came to give birth, there were indeed twins in her womb.

Hosea 12:3
In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, and in his vigor he wrestled with God.

Romans 9:10-12
Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. / Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

Genesis 29:35
And once more she conceived and gave birth to a son and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” So she named him Judah. Then Leah stopped having children.

Genesis 30:24
She named him Joseph, and said, “May the LORD add to me another son.”

Genesis 35:23
The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.

Genesis 46:12
The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.

Numbers 26:20
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.

Deuteronomy 25:5-10
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. / But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” ...

1 Samuel 1:20
So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”

1 Samuel 4:19-20
Now Eli’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and about to give birth. When she heard the news of the capture of God’s ark and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband, she collapsed and gave birth, for her labor pains overtook her. / As she was dying, the women attending to her said, “Do not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son!” But she did not respond or pay any heed.


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.

twins.

Genesis 25:24
And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

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Bearing Birth Body Boys Children Clear Delivery Time Travail Twin Twins Womb
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Bearing Birth Body Boys Children Clear Delivery Time Travail Twin Twins Womb
Genesis 38
1. Judah begets Er, Onan, and Shelah.
6. Er's marriage with Tamar, and death.
8. The trespass of Onan.
11. Tamar is reserved for Shelah.
12. Judah's wife dies.
13. Tamar deceives Judah.
27. She bears twins, Pharez and Zarah.














When the time came
This phrase indicates a divinely appointed moment, emphasizing God's sovereignty over human events. In Hebrew, the word for "time" (עֵת, 'et) often signifies an appointed or set time, suggesting that the events unfolding are part of God's divine plan. This reflects the biblical theme that God orchestrates the timing of significant events in the lives of His people, as seen throughout Scripture.

for her to give birth
The act of giving birth is a powerful symbol of new beginnings and the continuation of God's covenant promises. In the Hebrew context, childbirth is often associated with God's blessing and the fulfillment of His promises to multiply His people. This phrase reminds us of the importance of lineage and heritage in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Abrahamic covenant.

there were twins
The mention of twins is significant in biblical narratives, often indicating a struggle or a significant future for the individuals involved. The Hebrew word for twins (תְּאוֹמִים, te'omim) suggests a duality that can lead to conflict or complementarity. In this context, the birth of twins foreshadows the complex relationship between Perez and Zerah, which will have implications for the lineage of Israel.

in her womb
The womb is a sacred space in biblical literature, symbolizing God's creative power and the mystery of life. The Hebrew word for womb (רֶחֶם, rechem) is related to the concept of mercy and compassion, highlighting the nurturing aspect of God's character. This phrase underscores the idea that life is a gift from God, formed and known by Him even before birth, as reflected in passages like Psalm 139:13-16.

Verse 27. - And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb. Cf. the case of Rebekah (Genesis 25:24).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When the time
בְּעֵ֣ת (bə·‘êṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

came
וַיְהִ֖י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

for [Tamar] to give birth,
לִדְתָּ֑הּ (liḏ·tāh)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

there
וְהִנֵּ֥ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

were twins
תְאוֹמִ֖ים (ṯə·’ō·w·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8380: A twin

in her womb.
בְּבִטְנָֽהּ׃ (bə·ḇiṭ·nāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 990: The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything


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OT Law: Genesis 38:27 It happened in the time of her (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 38:26
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