The Scarlet Thread — Genesis 38:26–30

And Judah acknowledged them, and said,

She is more righteous than I, forasmuch as I gave her not to Shelah my son.

And he knew her again no more.

And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb. And it came to pass, when she travailed, that one put out a hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying,

This came out first.

And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said,

Wherefore hast thou made a breach for thyself?

therefore his name was called Perez. And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zerah.