Genesis 38:13

13 When Tamar was told, “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 his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house.

12 After a long time Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had finished mourning, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah.

13 When Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,”

14 she removed her widow’s garments, covered her face with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that although Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife.

15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute because she had covered her face.