Definition: And it came to pass, when she travailed, that [the one] put out [his] hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 38:28. It’s a really important and slightly unsettling passage about the beginning of humanity! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is showing us that humans were created before we were. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And it came to pass…” : This just sets up a story – a narrative. It’s like saying, “This is what happened.” “…when she travailed…” : "Traveled" means struggling or suffering. "She" refers to the first woman, Eve. So, this describes a difficult and painful situation for her. “[the one] put out [his] hand” : This is key! “The one” refers to Adam – the male human. He’s reaching out with his hand. “…that [he] took and bound upon his hand…” : God is physically binding Adam’s hand with a scarlet thread. It's a very vivid image - it’s like a sign of creation! “saying, This came out first.” : God is telling Adam that this action – the binding of his hand – was the very first thing that happened. So, what does this story tell us? It's a foundational story in Genesis about: Creation: God created humans (Adam and Eve) before creating everything else. Humanity’s Beginning: This event marks the beginning of humanity as we know it – our species. Responsibility & Free Will: The act of binding Adam's hand implies that he is now responsible for his own actions, and that he has free will (the ability to make choices). Important Note: This verse is a little unsettling because it suggests that humans were created before we were. It’s a powerful image that raises questions about our place in the world. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts further? Connect this story to other stories or concepts in the Bible?