Phares
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Introduction:
Phares, also known as Perez, is a significant biblical figure whose account is primarily found in the Old Testament. He is recognized as an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ, as noted in the genealogies presented in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. His narrative is intertwined with themes of redemption, providence, and the unfolding of God's covenant promises.

Biblical Account:
Phares is the son of Judah and Tamar, as recorded in Genesis 38. The account of his birth is marked by unusual circumstances. Tamar, Judah's daughter-in-law, was initially married to Judah's firstborn, Er, who died without leaving an heir. According to the custom of levirate marriage, Tamar was then given to Onan, Judah's second son, who also died without providing offspring. When Judah hesitated to give his third son, Shelah, to Tamar, she took matters into her own hands. Disguising herself as a prostitute, Tamar seduced Judah, resulting in the conception of twins, Phares and Zerah.

Genesis 38:27-30 describes the birth of the twins: "When the time came for Tamar to give birth, there were twins in her womb. And as she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it around his wrist. 'This one came out first,' she announced. But when he pulled his hand back and his brother came out, she said, 'You have broken out first!' So he was named Perez."

Significance in Genealogy:
Phares holds a crucial place in the genealogical records of the Bible. He is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:3 : "Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram." This lineage underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that through his descendants, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3).

Role in Israel's History:
Phares' descendants became prominent in the tribe of Judah, one of the leading tribes of Israel. The tribe of Judah played a central role in the history of Israel, providing leadership and continuity through the Davidic line. The blessing pronounced by Jacob on Judah in Genesis 49:10 foreshadows the royal lineage: "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his."

Theological Implications:
The account of Phares is a testament to God's sovereignty and grace. Despite the morally complex circumstances of his birth, Phares is integrated into the divine plan of salvation history. His inclusion in the genealogy of Christ highlights the theme of redemption and the transformative power of God's grace, which can work through human imperfection to achieve His purposes.

Cultural and Historical Context:
The narrative of Phares reflects the customs and social norms of the ancient Near East, particularly the practice of levirate marriage. This custom was intended to preserve family lineage and inheritance rights, which were vital in the patriarchal society of the time. The account also illustrates the importance of offspring and the continuation of family lines in biblical times.

Conclusion:
While the account of Phares may initially appear as a mere historical account, it is rich with theological significance and demonstrates the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through unexpected and often flawed human agents.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PHARES

fa'-rez (Phares): the King James Version; Greek form of "Perez" (thus the Revised Version (British and American)) (Matthew 1:3 Luke 3:33).

Greek
5329. Phares -- Perez, an Israelite
... 5328, 5329. Phares. 5330 . ... NASB Word Usage Perez (3). Perez. Of Hebrew origin
(Perets); Phares (ie Perets), an Israelite -- Phares. see HEBREW Perets. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5329.htm - 6k
Library

Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus Christ
... the son of David, the son of Abraham.2. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob;
and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3. And Judas begat Phares and Zara ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/matthews genealogy of jesus christ.htm

The Removal of Joseph's Father with all his Family, to Him, on ...
... Levi had three sons"Gersom, Caath, Merari. Judas had three sons"Sala, Phares,
Zerah; and by Phares two grandchildren, Esrom and Amar. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 the removal of.htm

Whether Christ's Genealogy is Suitably Traced by the Evangelists?
... Urias. He also mentions the brothers of Judas and Jechonias, and also Phares
and Zara. But Luke mentions none of these. Therefore ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs genealogy is suitably.htm

Matt. I. 1
... 3. "And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar." [116] "What doest thou, O man, putting
us in remembrance of a history that contains an unlawful intercourse ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily iii matt i 1.htm

Of the Agreement of the Evangelists Matthew and Luke in the ...
... "Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
and Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon i of the agreement.htm

Christians were Promised to Isaac, Jacob, and Judah.
... perceive what I say. For the seed is divided from Jacob, and comes down through
Judah, and Phares, and Jesse, and David. And this was ...
/.../chapter cxx christians were promised to.htm

Both Covenants were Prefigured in Abraham, and in the Labour of ...
... But after this had been done, and he had drawn back his hand, his brother Phares
came forth the first; then, after him, Zara, upon whom was the scarlet line ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxv both covenants were prefigured.htm

Concerning Nebuchadnezzar and his Successors and How their ...
... THEKEL This signifies a weight, and means that God hath weighed thy kingdom
in a balance, and finds it going down already."PHARES. ...
/.../the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 concerning nebuchadnezzar and.htm

On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God ...
... Matthew says, "Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar;" and "David the king begat
Solomon of her who had been the wife of Urias;" (i, 3, 6;) and from whom in an ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 9 on the righteousness.htm

Psalm LXXVIII.
... Abel was preferred before the elder brother; so to Ismael Isaac; so to Esau, though
born before him, his twin brother Jacob; so also Phares himself preceded ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxviii.htm

Thesaurus
Phares (2 Occurrences)
...PHARES. fa'-rez (Phares): the King James Version; Greek form of "Perez" (thus the
Revised Version (British and American)) (Matthew 1:3 Luke 3:33). ...
/p/phares.htm - 7k

Esrom (2 Occurrences)
... Esrom (2 Occurrences). Matthew 1:3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar;
and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/e/esrom.htm - 7k

Pharez (11 Occurrences)
... In the King James Version Matthew 1:3 and Luke 3:33, he is called "Phares," the
name in 1 Esdras 5:5. He is "Pharez" in the King James Version Genesis 46:12 ...
/p/pharez.htm - 11k

Zara (1 Occurrence)
... Zara (1 Occurrence). Matthew 1:3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and
Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; (KJV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/z/zara.htm - 6k

Thamar (1 Occurrence)
... Thamar (1 Occurrence). Matthew 1:3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar;
and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/t/thamar.htm - 6k

Begat (112 Occurrences)
... Matthew 1:3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat
Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Matthew ...
/b/begat.htm - 31k

Aram (130 Occurrences)
... Aram (130 Occurrences). Matthew 1:3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar;
and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/a/aram.htm - 40k

Upharsin (1 Occurrence)
... me'-ne, me'-ne, te'-kel, u-far'-sin, men'-a, men'a, tek'-el, oo-far'-sin (mene'
mene' teqel upharcin; Theodotion, Mane, thekel, phares): These are the words ...
/u/upharsin.htm - 11k

Tekel (2 Occurrences)
... me'-ne, me'-ne, te'-kel, u-far'-sin, men'-a, men'a, tek'-el, oo-far'-sin (mene'
mene' teqel upharcin; Theodotion, Mane, thekel, phares): These are the words ...
/t/tekel.htm - 11k

Mene (2 Occurrences)
... me'-ne, me'-ne, te'-kel, u-far'-sin, men'-a, men'a, tek'-el, oo-far'-sin (mene'
mene' teqel upharcin; Theodotion, Mane, thekel, phares): These are the words ...
/m/mene.htm - 11k

Resources
What are the differences between the Sadducees and Pharisees? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus rebuke the scribes and Pharisees so harshly in Matthew 23:13 36? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Pharisees? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Phares (2 Occurrences)

Matthew 1:3
And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
(KJV DBY WBS)

Luke 3:33
Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda,
(KJV DBY WBS)

Subtopics

Phares

Related Terms

Zarah (3 Occurrences)

Perez (19 Occurrences)

Genealogies (17 Occurrences)

Begat (112 Occurrences)

Tamar (28 Occurrences)

Draweth (52 Occurrences)

Phares (2 Occurrences)

Pharida

Phoros

Caleb (39 Occurrences)

Ammin'adab (14 Occurrences)

Proper (62 Occurrences)

Hamul (3 Occurrences)

Hezron (19 Occurrences)

Calleth (261 Occurrences)

Broken (559 Occurrences)

Names (133 Occurrences)

Pharathon
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