Genesis 38:23

23 Yehudah said, "Let her keep it, lest we be put to shame. Behold, I sent this kid, and you haven't found 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 Then he asked the men of her place, saying, "Where is the prostitute, that was at `Enayim by the road?" They said, "There has been no prostitute here."

22 He returned to Yehudah, and said, "I haven't found her; and also the men of the place said, 'There has been no prostitute here.'"

23 Yehudah said, "Let her keep it, lest we be put to shame. Behold, I sent this kid, and you haven't found her."

24 It happened about three months later, that it was told Yehudah, saying, "Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute; and moreover, behold, she is with child by prostitution." Yehudah said, "Bring her forth, and let her be burnt."

25 When she was brought forth, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, "By the man, whose these are, I am with child." She also said, "Please discern whose are these - the signet, and the cords, and the staff."