Genesis 38:13

13 Tamar was told, "Your father-in-law has gone to Timnah to shear his sheep."

Genesis 38:13 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 38:13

And it was told Tamar
By some of her neighbours, or by some of Judah's family; saying, behold, thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his
sheep;
which might be told her as an indifferent thing, without any design in it; but she took notice of it, and it gave her an opportunity she wanted.

Genesis 38:13 In-Context

11 So Judah stepped in and told his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Live as a widow at home with your father until my son Shelah grows up." He was worried that Shelah would also end up dead, just like his brothers. So Tamar went to live with her father.
12 Time passed. Judah's wife, Shua's daughter, died. When the time of mourning was over, Judah with his friend Hirah of Adullam went to Timnah for the sheep shearing.
13 Tamar was told, "Your father-in-law has gone to Timnah to shear his sheep."
14 She took off her widow's clothes, put on a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim which is on the road to Timnah. She realized by now that even though Shelah was grown up, she wasn't going to be married to him.
15 Judah saw her and assumed she was a prostitute since she had veiled her face.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.