Bible Dictionary
Pharez
Pharez, also called Perez, was the elder twin son of Judah and Tamar. His descendants became a prominent clan in Judah, and the line leading to David and Jesus came through him.
Definition
Pharez, also called Perez or Phares, was the elder twin son of Judah and Tamar. His name is associated with a breach. From him came the families of Hezron and Hamul, and through Hezron’s line came David and the kings of Judah.
Biblical Usage
The royal line of David and the genealogy leading to Jesus are traced through Pharez. A chief of the army in David’s reign was also from the children of Perez.
Historical Background
Pharez’s birth and the circumstances surrounding it are recorded in Genesis. In David’s reign the house of Pharez was especially distinguished.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Breach, the elder of the twin sons of Judah (Gen. 38:29). From him the royal line of David sprang (Ruth 4:18-22). “The chief of all the captains of the host” was of the children of Perez (1 Chr. 27:3; Matt. 1:3).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(Perez, (1 Chronicles 27:3) Phares, (Matthew 1:3; Luke 3:33) 1 Esd. 5:6), twin son, with Zarah or Zerah, of Judah and Tamer his daughter-in-law. (B.C. 1730.) The circumstances of his birth are detailed in Gen. 38. Pharez occupied the rank of Judah’s second son, and from two of his sons sprang two new chief houses, those of the Hezronites and Hamulites. From Hezron’s second son Ram, or Aram, sprang David and the kings of Judah, and eventually Jesus Christ. In the reign of David the house of Pharez seems to have been eminently distinguished.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>fa'-rez (King James Version 1 Esdras 5:9; 8:30): The same as Revised Version PHOROS (which see).</p>