son of Judah and Tamar (Gen. xxxviii. 27, 28, &c.). Tamar being just ready to lie in, found herself with child of twins. One of them appeared first, and putting his arm out, he immediately drew it back again. The midwife tied a scarlet thread upon his arm, to distinguish him for the first-born; but having withdrawn his hand, his brother got before him into the world: whereupon he was called by his mother Pharez, i.e. one breaking forth; as the other, with the thread on his hand, was called Zarah. The sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul (Numb. xxvi. 20, 21.). F. Calmet, upon this article, explains the text as if Pharez, and not Zarah, had put out his hand, and drew it in again.