Genesis 38:6-16

6 And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, whose name [was] Tamar.
7 And Er, Judah's first-born, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.
8 And Judah said to Onan, Go in to thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
9 And Onan knew that the seed would not be his: and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he frustrated the purpose, lest he should give seed to his brother.
10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.
11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son shall be grown; (for he said, Lest perhaps he die also as his brethren [did]:) and Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
12 And in process of time, the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died: and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheep-shearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
13 And it was told to Tamar, saying, Behold, thy father-in-law goeth up to Timnath, to shear his sheep.
14 And she put off from her, her widow's garments, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which [is] by the way to Timnath: for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him for a wife.
15 When Judah saw her, he thought her [to be] a harlot; because she had covered her face.
16 And he turned to her by the way, and said, Come, I pray thee, let me have access to thee; (for he knew not that she [was] his daughter-in-law:) and she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayst have access to me?

Genesis 38:6-16 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.

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