Genesis 38:11-12

11 Judah then said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s household until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, just like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s household.

12 After a long time Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had recovered from his grief, he went up to Timnah, to the men who were shearing his sheep, and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went with him.

Genesis 38:11-12 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.

Cross References

• 1. S Genesis 11:31
• 2. S ver 6
• 3. Ruth 1:8
• 4. ver 14,26
• 5. Ruth 1:13
• 6. S ver 2
• 7. ver 14; Joshua 15:10,57; Joshua 19:43; Judges 14:1,2; 2 Chronicles 28:18
• 8. S Genesis 31:19
• 9. S ver 1