Though the midwife had declared Zarah to be first, she tied a scarlet thread on his wrist. The Hebrew word for 'scarlet' שׁני shaniy also means 'second'. She declared by her actions that he was second. The metaphor for scarlet is 'sin'. <ref>[[Isa 1:18]] Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.</ref> Appropriately the first son, representing Christ before the cross, bore our sin figuratively.

Though his name פרץ Perets means 'breach' the letters spell out 'the mystery פ revealed ר in the cross ץ'.

His brother's name זרח Zerach means 'dawning' and together they are 'breaking forth of dawning'. Jesus was called Dayspring. <ref>[[Lu 1:78]] Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, </ref> as hint of Resurrection morning.