Genesis 38:13

13 Someone told Tamar, “Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”

Genesis 38:13 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 38:13

And it was told Tamar
By some of her neighbours, or by some of Judah's family; saying, behold, thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his
sheep;
which might be told her as an indifferent thing, without any design in it; but she took notice of it, and it gave her an opportunity she wanted.

Genesis 38:13 In-Context

11 Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Go back to your parents’ home and remain a widow until my son Shelah is old enough to marry you.” (But Judah didn’t really intend to do this because he was afraid Shelah would also die, like his two brothers.) So Tamar went back to live in her father’s home.

12 Some years later Judah’s wife died. After the time of mourning was over, Judah and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went up to Timnah to supervise the shearing of his sheep.

13 Someone told Tamar, “Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”

14 Tamar was aware that Shelah had grown up, but no arrangements had been made for her to come and marry him. So she changed out of her widow’s clothing and covered herself with a veil to disguise herself. Then she sat beside the road at the entrance to the village of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah.

15 Judah noticed her and thought she was a prostitute, since she had covered her face.