Genesis 38:23

23 And Judah said, "Let her take them for herself, 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 who was openly by the wayside?" 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 them for herself, 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 burned."

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."