John Gill Commentary Genesis 38:30

"And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zerah." — Genesis 38:30 (ASV)

And afterward came out his brother that had the scarlet
thread upon his hand
By which it was known that he had come 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 his return, or drawing back his hand, and as it were returning to his mother's womb; and so, according to Hillerus ^F12 , Zarah, by a transposition of letters, comes from (rzx) "Chazar", to return: but Jarchi thinks he had his name from the refulgent appearance of the scarlet thread on his wrist.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F12: Onomastic. Sacr. p. 372.