In Hebrew, there are two references to the name Judah. One refers to a place and the other a person. Matthew describes Judah as the person who was bequeathing the ancestral line of the Messiah.
Judah was a son of Jacob and Leah. His Hebrew name means “to praise.” His brothers were among those who made up the twelve tribes and nation of Israel. Serving as a means or agency to the saving of his brother Joseph, whom his other eleven brothers wanted to murder, Judah redeemed himself. His redemption brought about praise - praise for risking his life for Benjamin (his youngest brother) and praise for moving the heart of Joseph to reveal his true identity and re-uniting the family.
As HIS STORY (history) continues, Judah wasn’t always a man who was found to be praiseworthy. Matthew begins recalling that part of the ancestry too. From this part of history comes a greater account in which we are “to praise.” It is seen in the names of his twin son’s Perez and Zerah (along with their birth mother, Tamar). This account is found in Genesis 38 of the Bible.
As we read, we find that Judah has a misguided relationship with Tamar. Out of this relationship is foretold the most redemptive story of all. Matthew narrates this particular part of the story in order to define the ancestry, ministry and life of Christ, our Messiah.
Here, I would like to take a special Excerpt from Torah Club Volume Two: Shadows of the Messiah). It is very fascinating and especially noteworthy.
According to the Midrash Rabbah, when Tamar’s pregnancy advanced to the point where the twins were showing, she “would tap upon her stomach and exclaim, ‘I am big with kings and redeemers.’” (Genesis Rabbah 85:10) What an incredible insight to the Messiah – pointing to the fact that the He is both our KING and REDEEMER!
As one reads the account found in Genesis, it provides us with the story of their birth. While Tamar was in labor, the first of her two sons extended his hand. At first, the midwife ties a scarlet thread around the firstborn’s wrist in order to identify the son as the firstborn child. Suddenly, the baby pulls back his hand moving back down into the birth canal. Tamar names him Perez, which literally means “breach.” (Apparently, this is similar to a baby born today in a “breech position.”)
The birth of the twins is understood and associated directly with the Messiah. It foreshadows His first and second coming. Perez’ name additionally means “breaker” in Hebrew. In the Midrash Rabbah, Tamar names him Perez to indicate that King Messiah, “the Breaker,” would one day come forth from him:
Judah was a son of Jacob and Leah. His Hebrew name means “to praise.” His brothers were among those who made up the twelve tribes and nation of Israel. Serving as a means or agency to the saving of his brother Joseph, whom his other eleven brothers wanted to murder, Judah redeemed himself. His redemption brought about praise - praise for risking his life for Benjamin (his youngest brother) and praise for moving the heart of Joseph to reveal his true identity and re-uniting the family.
As HIS STORY (history) continues, Judah wasn’t always a man who was found to be praiseworthy. Matthew begins recalling that part of the ancestry too. From this part of history comes a greater account in which we are “to praise.” It is seen in the names of his twin son’s Perez and Zerah (along with their birth mother, Tamar). This account is found in Genesis 38 of the Bible.
As we read, we find that Judah has a misguided relationship with Tamar. Out of this relationship is foretold the most redemptive story of all. Matthew narrates this particular part of the story in order to define the ancestry, ministry and life of Christ, our Messiah.
Here, I would like to take a special Excerpt from Torah Club Volume Two: Shadows of the Messiah). It is very fascinating and especially noteworthy.
According to the Midrash Rabbah, when Tamar’s pregnancy advanced to the point where the twins were showing, she “would tap upon her stomach and exclaim, ‘I am big with kings and redeemers.’” (Genesis Rabbah 85:10) What an incredible insight to the Messiah – pointing to the fact that the He is both our KING and REDEEMER!
As one reads the account found in Genesis, it provides us with the story of their birth. While Tamar was in labor, the first of her two sons extended his hand. At first, the midwife ties a scarlet thread around the firstborn’s wrist in order to identify the son as the firstborn child. Suddenly, the baby pulls back his hand moving back down into the birth canal. Tamar names him Perez, which literally means “breach.” (Apparently, this is similar to a baby born today in a “breech position.”)
The birth of the twins is understood and associated directly with the Messiah. It foreshadows His first and second coming. Perez’ name additionally means “breaker” in Hebrew. In the Midrash Rabbah, Tamar names him Perez to indicate that King Messiah, “the Breaker,” would one day come forth from him:
Tamar actually meant, “This one is greater than all those who make breaches, for from you will arise [the King Messiah of whom it is written in Micah 2:13], ‘The breaker (poretz, פורץ) goes up before them; [They break out, pass through the gate and go out by it. So their king goes on before them, and the LORD at their head.]‘” (Genesis Rabbah 85:14)
Yet, what does Zerah mean? How does Matthew describe his role in the ancestry of Christ? It’s very intersting to say the least! In Hebrew, Zerah literally means “dawning.” Basically, Matthew is stating that he’s the second dawning of the Messiah’s ancestry, ministry, and life. Zerah is the picture of The Redemptive Messianic Age as propheised by Isaiah, Micah and Malachi in their pinnacle peaks of prophecy.
Matthew is showing us that Tamar, along with the midwife, had great hopes and anticipation. Initially, Zerah was actually suppose to be the son who was born first. Yet, Perez burst forth “breaking” ahead of him.
The generation in Matthew’s day greatly antcipated seeing the messianic redemption. When Christ arrived the people witnessed a sign of the coming redemption. However, before the redemption was fulfilled the Messiah had to accomplish the mountain peak of prophecy as described by the prophet Isaiah.
Finally, when Perez defied Tamar’s expectation by bursting forth ahead of Zerah, she cried out, “So this is how you have broken out!” (Genesis 38:29 NIV) My goodness, the similarities and unforeseen prophecy to be told! During the Messiah’s first coming, He defied those same expectations, hopes and even anticipations. As Christ burst forth from the grave, I can only imagine Matthew saying, “So, this is how you have broken out…as our Redeemer and King!” That is why we are “to praise!”
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