Genesis 38:20

20 Judah sent the kid goat by his friend from Adullam to recover the pledge from the woman. But he couldn't find her.

Genesis 38:20 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 38:20

And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the
Adullamite
Who went with him to Timnath, and was privy to all this wickedness, and kept the secret; but would have acted the more friendly and faithful part had he dissuaded him from it: him he employed to carry the kid he had promised, and not any of his servants, for the greater secrecy: and to receive [his] pledge from the woman's hand;
his signet, bracelets, and staff, or whatever they were: but he found her not;
she was gone from the place where she sat, or where she retired to with Judah.

Genesis 38:20 In-Context

18 "So what would you want in the way of a pledge?" She said, "Your personal seal-and-cord and the staff you carry." He handed them over to her and slept with her. And she got pregnant.
19 She then left and went home. She removed her veil and put her widow's clothes back on.
20 Judah sent the kid goat by his friend from Adullam to recover the pledge from the woman. But he couldn't find her.
21 He asked the men of that place, "Where's the prostitute that used to sit by the road here near Enaim?" They said, "There's never been a prostitute here."
22 He went back to Judah and said, "I couldn't find her. The men there said there never has been a prostitute there."
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.