Genesis 38:25

25 She was brought out, but she sent to her father-in-law saying, "By the man to whom these [belong] I have conceived." And she said, "Now discern to whom these [belong]: the seal and cord and the staff."

Genesis 38:25 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 38:25

When she [was] brought forth
From her father's house, not to the place of execution, or in order to be burnt, but to the court of judicature, in order to take tier trial: she sent to her father in law, saying, by the man whose these [are,
am] I with child;
she sent a messenger to him, and by him the signet, bracelets, and staff, be they what they may, she had received from him as a pledge for the kid he promised her; and ordered the messenger to say, at the same time he showed him these things, that she was with child by the person to whom they belonged; which was a very modest way of laying it to his charge, and yet very striking and convincing: and she said;
by the messenger she sent: discern, I pray thee, whose [are] these, the signet, and bracelets, and
staff;
which were the things given her as a pledge till she received the kid, the hire she was to have for his lying with her.

Genesis 38:25 In-Context

23 And Judah said, "Let her take [them] for herself, lest we be {laughed at}. Behold, I sent this kid, but you could not find her."

24 And {about three months later} it was told to Judah, "Tamar your daughter-in-law has played the whore, and now, behold, she has conceived by prostitution." And Judah said, "Bring her out and let her be burned."

25 She was brought out, but she sent to her father-in-law saying, "By the man to whom these [belong] I have conceived." And she said, "Now discern to whom these [belong]: the seal and cord and the staff."

26 Then Judah recognized [them] and said, "She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah." And he did not know her again.

27 And it happened [that] at the time she gave birth that, behold, twins [were] in her womb.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "examine"