פֶּרֶץ

פֶּרֶץ

Perets, the name of two Israelites

Definition

פֶּרֶץ (Perets) is a proper noun referring primarily to Perez, the son of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38:29). He is the twin brother of Zerah and is noted for his birth, where he 'broke out' ahead of his brother, a detail reflected in his name's meaning. Perez became the eponymous ancestor of the Perezite clan within the tribe of Judah (Numbers 26:20-21). His lineage is of immense importance, as it leads directly to King David (Ruth 4:18-22) and, according to the New Testament genealogies, to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:3, Luke 3:33). The name also refers to a later individual, a son of Judah mentioned alongside his brother Zerah in 1 Chronicles 2:4, though this is likely a reference to the same ancestral figure.

Biblical Usage

The name Perez is used exclusively as a proper noun for individuals in the Old Testament. Its primary usage is genealogical, tracing the lineage of Judah. It appears in foundational narratives (Genesis 38:29, Genesis 46:12), tribal census records (Numbers 26:20-21), and key genealogical passages that establish the Davidic line (Ruth 4:12, 4:18; 1 Chronicles 2:4-5). The consistent pattern is its association with tribal identity and royal ancestry within Judah.

Etymology

The name Perez is identical to the common noun פֶּרֶץ (perets, H6556), meaning 'breach,' 'breakout,' or 'bursting forth.' It derives from the root פָּרַץ (parats), meaning 'to break through.' The name was given at birth because Perez 'broke out' first from the womb ahead of his twin brother Zerah (Genesis 38:29), making it a literal description of the birth event that became a personal name.

Semantic Range

Perez holds significant theological weight as a crucial link in the messianic line. His birth, emerging from the morally complex story of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38), demonstrates God's sovereign grace in fulfilling the covenant promises through imperfect human families. His inclusion in the genealogy of David (Ruth 4:18-22) and Jesus Christ underscores the theme of God's redemptive plan advancing through unexpected and seemingly compromised channels. Understanding Perez as 'breach' prophetically points to a kingly line that breaks through barriers to establish God's kingdom. In ancient Israelite culture, names were often descriptive of circumstances surrounding birth or prophetic of destiny. Perez's name is a direct, literal record of his twin birth. His status as the firstborn, despite Zerah's hand appearing first, established his legal rights of inheritance and primacy in the family lineage, which had lasting implications for tribal leadership and land allocation. Being the ancestor of the Perezite clan cemented his name as a central tribal identifier. Zerach (Zerah, H2226) — His twin brother, whose name means 'rising' or 'dawning,' often mentioned in direct contrast to Perez in genealogies.

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