For was in labor see 35.16, 17.

One put out a hand: that is, one of the twins. Like many other languages, the Hebrew does not distinguish between “hand” and “arm.” Some English versions prefer “arm” here.

For midwife see 35.17.

Bound on his hand a scarlet thread is literally “tied on his hand [wrist] crimson.” The reference is to a dark red thread. It is important, as we saw in the birth of Esau and Jacob, to establish which of the twins is born first and therefore has the privileges and responsibilities of oldest brother.

This came out first: that is, “This is the child [the one with the red thread] that was born first.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .