Genesis 38:13-18

13 It was told to Tamar, "Behold, your father-in-law is going up to 1Timnah to shear his sheep."
14 So she removed her widow's garments and 2covered 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 3she 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, "4Your 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.

Genesis 38:13-18 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. Joshua 15:10, 57; Judges 14:1
  • 2. Genesis 24:65
  • 3. Genesis 38:11, 26
  • 4. Genesis 38:25; Genesis 41:42

Footnotes 6

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