John Gill Commentary Matthew 1:3

"and Judah begat Perez and Zerah of Tamar; and Perez begat Hezron; and Hezron begat Ram;" — Matthew 1:3 (ASV)

And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar
The genealogical account of Christ goes on from Judah in the line of Phares, with whom Zara is mentioned; not because they were twins, for so were Jacob and Esau, and yet the latter is taken no notice of; but it may be because of what happened at their birth, see (Genesis 38:28Genesis 38:29Genesis 38:30) . But the line of the Messiah was in Phares, and very rightly is he put in the genealogy of Christ, the Jews themselves being witnesses; who expressly say, that "the Messiah comes from him." These two are said to be begotten of Thamar, daughter-in-law to Judah; who, though she was a Canaanitish woman, has the honour to be named in the genealogy of Christ, who came to save Gentiles as well as Jews: nor can the Jews reproach our Evangelist for putting her into the account; since they themselves frequently acknowledge that the Messiah was to spring from her: they say, ^F18

``there are two women from which come David the king, and Solomon, and the king Messiah; and these two are Thamar and Ruth.'' Jonathan Ben Uzziel on (Genesis 38:6) says, that Thamar was the daughter of Shem the great.

And Phares begat Esrom ;
called Hezron, (Ruth 4:18) where the same phrase is used as here. He had another son called Hamul, (1 Chronicles 2:5) but the account proceeds from Phares, in the line of Esrom.

And Esrom begat Aram ;
called Ram in (Ruth 4:18) where the same way of speaking is used as here. Esrom also besides him begat Jerahmeel, Chelubai, or Caleb, and Segub, (1 Chronicles 2:9 1 Chronicles 2:21) but these are not in the line. Elihu, who conversed with Job, is said to be of the kindred of Ram, (Job 32:2) whether the same with Ram or Aram, may be inquired.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F18: Shemot Rabba, sect. 30. fol. 131. 4. Caphtor, fol. 122. 1.