Genesis 38:23

23 Judah said, "Let her keep everything so we aren't laughed at. I did send this kid goat, but you couldn't find her."

Genesis 38:23 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 38:23

And Judah said, let her take [it] to her
The pledge, and make no further inquiry after her; lest we be shamed;
Judah for committing fornication, which even among Heathens, at least at that time of day, was reckoned a shameful action; and be laughed at also, for committing such a pledge to an whore, who had tricked him out of it; and his friend Hirah for conniving at the sin, and being employed on such an errand: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her:
who could be a witness for him, if there should be any occasion, that he was faithful to his promise.

Genesis 38:23 In-Context

21 He asked the locals of that place, "Where's the consecrated worker who was at Enaim on the road?" But they said, "There's no consecrated worker here."

22 So he went back to Judah and said, "I couldn't find her. The locals even said, ‘There's no holy woman here.'"

23 Judah said, "Let her keep everything so we aren't laughed at. I did send this kid goat, but you couldn't find her."

24 About three months later, Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar has become a prostitute and is now pregnant because of it." And Judah said, "Bring her out so that she may be burned."

25 When she was brought out, she sent this message to her father-in-law, "I'm pregnant by the man who owns these things. See if you recognize whose seal, cord, and staff these are."