Genesis 38:17

17 He said, "I will send you a kid from the flock of goats." She said, "Will you also give me something as a guarantee until you send it"

Genesis 38:17 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 38:17

And he said, I will send [thee] a kid from the flock
Either from Timnath, where his flock was shearing, or rather from Adullam, where he lived; since it is probable he was now returning from Timnath, where he had been feasting and making merry with his shearers, and so in a disposition to commit such an action: and she said, wilt thou give [me] a pledge, till thou send [it]?
she made no objection to the hire or present, only required a pawn, or security for it till she had it; and this was her view indeed in asking an hire that she might have something to produce, should she prove with child by him, to convince him by whom it was.

Genesis 38:17 In-Context

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

16 So he went over to her where she was sitting and said, not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, "Come, let me sleep with you." She answered, "What will you pay to sleep with me?"

17 He said, "I will send you a kid from the flock of goats." She said, "Will you also give me something as a guarantee until you send it"

18 He answered, "What should I give you as a guarantee?" She said, "Your seal, with its cord, and the staff you're carrying in your hand." So he gave them to her, then went and slept with her; and she conceived by him.

19 She got up and went away, took off her veil and put on her widow's clothes.