Genesis 38:21-24

21 He asked the men who lived there, “Where is the shrine prostitute who was beside the road at Enaim?” “There hasn’t been any shrine prostitute here,” they said.
22 So he went back to Judah and said, “I didn’t find her. Besides, the men who lived there said, ‘There hasn’t been any shrine prostitute here.’ ”
23 Then Judah said, “Let her keep what she has, or we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you didn’t find her.”
24 About three months later Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant.” Judah said, “Bring her out and have her burned to death!”

Genesis 38:21-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 38

This chapter is wholly taken up with matters relating to Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, from whom the Jews have their name, and from whom Christ sprung: it treats of his marriage with a Canaanitess, his children by her, their character and end, Ge 38:1-11; of his incest with his daughter-in-law, though unknown by him, Ge 38:12-23; of his resentment against her, when he heard she was with child, and his confusion when he found it was by himself, Ge 38:24-26; and of the birth of twins by her, named Pharez and Zarah, Ge 38:27-30.

Cross References 4

  • 1. S Genesis 19:5; Leviticus 19:29; Deuteronomy 22:21; Deuteronomy 23:17; 2 Kings 23:7; Hosea 4:14
  • 2. ver 18
  • 3. Exodus 32:25; Job 12:4; Jeremiah 20:7; Lamentations 3:14
  • 4. Leviticus 20:10,14; Leviticus 21:9; Deuteronomy 22:21,22; Joshua 7:25; Judges 15:6; 1 Samuel 31:12; Job 31:11,28; Ezekiel 16:38
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