Genesis 38:10-20

10 But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the LORD; so He 1took his life also.
11 Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "2Remain a widow in your father's house until my son Shelah grows up"; for he thought, "I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers." So Tamar went and lived in her father's house.
12 Now after a considerable time Shua's daughter, the wife of Judah, died; and when the time of mourning was ended, Judah went up to his sheepshearers * at 3Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
13 It was told to Tamar, "Behold, your father-in-law is going up to 4Timnah to shear his sheep."
14 So she removed her widow's garments and 5covered herself with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and 6she had not been given to him as a wife.
15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, for she had covered her face.
16 So he turned aside to her by the road, and said, "Here now, let me come in to you"; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, "What will you give me, that you may come in to me?"
17 He said, therefore, "I will send you a young * goat * from the flock." She said, moreover, "Will you give a pledge until you send it?"
18 He said, "What pledge shall I give you?" And she said, "7Your seal and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand." So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him.
19 Then she arose and departed, and removed her veil and put on her widow's garments.
20 When Judah sent the young * goat * by his friend the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman's hand, he did not find her.

Cross References 7

  • 1. Genesis 46:12; Numbers 26:19
  • 2. Ruth 1:12, 13
  • 3. Joshua 15:10, 57
  • 4. Joshua 15:10, 57; Judges 14:1
  • 5. Genesis 24:65
  • 6. Genesis 38:11, 26
  • 7. Genesis 38:25; Genesis 41:42

Footnotes 12

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.