Φαρές

Perez

Definition

Φαρές (Perez) is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Perez, meaning 'breach' or 'bursting forth'. In the New Testament, it refers exclusively to Perez, the son of Judah by Tamar (Genesis 38:29), who became a key ancestor in the messianic line. His inclusion in the genealogies of Jesus (Matthew 1:3, Luke 3:33) highlights his role in the lineage of King David and, ultimately, Christ. The name itself, signifying a breakthrough, can be seen as foreshadowing the significant and unexpected ways God works through family lines to fulfill His promises.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only in the genealogical lists of the New Testament, specifically in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. In Matthew 1:3, it appears in the opening genealogy tracing Jesus's legal descent from Abraham through David. In Luke 3:33, it is found in the longer genealogy tracing Jesus's lineage back to Adam. In both contexts, its usage is strictly nominal, serving to identify a specific, crucial link in the ancestral chain leading to the Messiah.

Etymology

Φαρές is a direct Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name פֶּרֶץ (Perez), derived from the Hebrew verb פָּרַץ (parats), meaning 'to break through' or 'to burst forth'. The name was given at birth because 'he broke out' first from the womb ahead of his twin brother Zerah (Genesis 38:29). The Greek form preserves the phonetic sound of the original Hebrew without adding semantic meaning.

Semantic Range

Perez holds significant theological weight as a direct ancestor of Jesus Christ, cementing Jesus's connection to the tribe of Judah and the Davidic royal line as prophesied (Genesis 49:10, 2 Samuel 7:12-16). His story, involving Tamar and Judah (Genesis 38), is one of irregularity and God's grace working through flawed human situations, demonstrating that God's redemptive plan often advances through unexpected and culturally scandalous means. Understanding this name enriches reading by connecting the New Testament genealogies directly to Old Testament narratives of promise and providence.

In the original Hebrew context, the name Perez ('breach') commemorated the dramatic circumstances of his birth as the firstborn of twins. In first-century Jewish culture, genealogies were of paramount importance for establishing lineage, tribal identity, and legal rights, including claims to the Davidic throne. For Greek-speaking readers of the Gospels, 'Φαρές' would have been recognized as a foreign, Hebraic name, signaling the Jewish heritage and scriptural foundation of the messianic claim being presented.

There are no direct Greek synonyms for this proper name. Its significance is tied to its specific referent in salvation history.

Word Details

Scripture References