Genesis 38:28 - Exposition

And it came to pass, when she travailed ,—literally, in her bringing forth (cf. Genesis 35:17 )— that the one put out his hand :—literally, and it (sc. the child) gave a hand, i.e. it was an abnormal and dangerous presentation— and the midwife ( vide Genesis 35:17 ) took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.