Genesis 38:23

23 And Judah said , Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not 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 that place, saying , Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said , There was no harlot in this place.

22 And he returned to Judah, and said , I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said , that there was no harlot in this place.

23 And Judah said , Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.

24 And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying , Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot ; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah 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, am I with child: and she said , Discern , I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.

Footnotes

• [a]. be shamed: Heb. become a contempt