Genesis 38

Genesis 38 tells the story of Judah, one of Jacob's twelve sons, and his interactions with Tamar, his daughter-in-law. This chapter shifts focus away from the story of Joseph, highlighting a significant and complicated family dynamic in Judah’s lineage. Tamar’s actions, although unconventional, play a critical role in preserving the family line of Judah, which would eventually lead to the birth of King David and, ultimately, the Messiah. This chapter emphasizes themes of justice, responsibility, and divine providence in unexpected circumstances.

Genesis 38:1-3 (NKJV)
1 It came to pass at that time that Judah departed from his brothers, and visited a certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah.
2 And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua, and he married her and went in to her.
3 So she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er.

Judah distanced himself from his brothers and chose to live among the Canaanites. This separation marked a significant shift in his life, where he formed a close friendship with Hirah, an Adullamite, and married a Canaanite woman, a decision that went against the family tradition of marrying within their own people. Judah's decision to marry a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua, illustrates how he was being influenced by the culture around him. The birth of his first son, Er, begins a sequence of events that will dramatically affect Judah’s future and his legacy.

Genesis 38:4-5 (NKJV)
4 She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan.
5 And she conceived yet again and bore a son, and called his name Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him.

Judah’s wife continues to bear him children, with Onan and Shelah being the next two sons. The narrative notes that Shelah was born at a place called Chezib. These children, particularly Onan and Shelah, will play important roles in the forthcoming events. The passage gives insight into Judah's growing family, but it also foreshadows that his sons will be involved in controversial events, especially when it comes to upholding family duty and lineage.

Genesis 38:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
7 But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord killed him.

Judah arranged a marriage for his firstborn son, Er, to a woman named Tamar, following the cultural customs of ensuring that his son had a proper wife. However, Er is described as wicked in God's sight, and as a result, God put him to death. This brief mention of Er’s wickedness demonstrates that the Bible doesn’t always provide the specifics of an individual’s sin, but it shows that divine judgment was immediate and severe in this case. Er’s death sets the stage for the next series of events involving Tamar, as her role in continuing the family line becomes central.

Genesis 38:8-10 (NKJV)
8 And Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.”
9 But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother.
10 And the thing which he did displeased the Lord; therefore He killed him also.

After Er's death, Judah instructed his second son, Onan, to perform the duty of a levirate marriage (a custom later codified in Deuteronomy 25:5-10). According to this custom, if a man died without leaving an heir, his brother was obligated to marry the widow and raise a child in the name of the deceased brother. The first son born from this union would legally be considered the heir of the deceased brother and would inherit his rights, particularly his firstborn rights. The firstborn held significant rights, receiving a double portion of the inheritance and assuming family leadership responsibilities. This included overseeing the family’s estate and spiritual matters. The firstborn also received a special blessing, often tied to divine favor, while other sons received smaller portions and had fewer responsibilities.

Onan, however, did not want to give his brother an heir because it would mean the firstborn rights would not be his. Therefore, he deliberately refused to allow Tamar to conceive, dishonoring both her and his deceased brother. His act of selfishness and disobedience displeased the Lord, and Onan was also put to death. This act highlights the importance of family duty and God’s judgment on those who act in self-interest rather than upholding their responsibilities.

Genesis 38:11 (NKJV)
11 Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house till my son Shelah is grown.” For he said, “Lest he also die like his brothers.” And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.

Judah, fearing that his third son, Shelah, might also die if he married Tamar, instructed her to return to her father’s house and wait until Shelah was of age. However, Judah's intentions were not entirely genuine; he was stalling, possibly believing that Tamar was somehow cursed or that marrying her would bring further misfortune. Tamar obeyed Judah and waited, though the text implies that Judah had no real intention of fulfilling his promise. This sets the stage for Tamar’s later actions, as she seeks justice and a rightful place in Judah’s family line.

Genesis 38:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Now in the process of time the daughter of Shua, Judah’s wife, died; and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
13 And it was told Tamar, saying, “Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”
14 So she took off her widow’s garments, covered herself with a veil and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place which was on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him as a wife.

After Judah’s wife died and he had gone through the mourning process, he resumed his activities, including going to Timnah with his friend Hirah for sheep-shearing, a festive time. Tamar, realizing that Judah had not kept his promise to give her to Shelah, decided to take matters into her own hands. She disguised herself by wearing a veil and positioned herself where she knew Judah would pass by. Tamar’s actions reflect her determination to secure her place in Judah’s family, not out of mere personal desire but because of the injustice done to her. This was her bold plan to ensure that the family line would continue.

Genesis 38:15-16 (NKJV)
15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, because she had covered her face.
16 Then he turned to her by the way, and said, “Please let me come in to you”; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. So she said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?”

Judah, not recognizing Tamar because of her veil, assumed she was a prostitute. This assumption reflects the cultural practices of the time, where veiling could signify certain roles. Judah’s moral lapse is evident as he approaches her without hesitation, indicating a moment of weakness. Tamar’s response is strategic—she asks what he will offer in exchange for their encounter. Her motivation was not personal gain but to secure justice and ensure the continuation of her late husband’s family line, which Judah had failed to uphold.

Genesis 38:17-18 (NKJV)
17 And he said, “I will send a young goat from the flock.” So she said, “Will you give me a pledge till you send it?”
18 Then he said, “What pledge shall I give you?” So she said, “Your signet and cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” Then he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him.

Judah promises Tamar a young goat as payment, but Tamar asks for a pledge, something to hold as collateral until he delivers the goat. She wisely requests significant personal items: Judah’s signet, cord, and staff. These were symbols of Judah’s identity and authority, much like a personal signature today. By securing these items, Tamar ensured that she would have proof of their encounter. After the agreement, Judah sleeps with her, and Tamar becomes pregnant. This moment is pivotal, as it secures the continuation of Judah’s lineage, even though Judah is unaware of the identity of the woman.

Genesis 38:19 (NKJV)
19 So she arose and went away, and laid aside her veil and put on the garments of her widowhood.

After the encounter, Tamar discreetly returned to her previous life, removing her disguise and putting back on her widow’s clothing. This shift shows her intention to conceal her actions and avoid public scrutiny. Tamar’s plan was to fulfill her duty to her deceased husband’s family, and now that she had secured a child, she returned to her normal life as a widow. Her actions were not for self-gratification but to rectify the wrong that had been done to her by Judah’s broken promise.

Genesis 38:20-23 (NKJV)
20 And Judah sent the young goat by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman’s hand, but he did not find her.
21 Then he asked the men of that place, saying, “Where is the harlot who was openly by the roadside?” And they said, “There was no harlot in this place.”
22 So he returned to Judah and said, “I cannot find her. Also, the men of the place said there was no harlot in this place.”
23 Then Judah said, “Let her take them for herself, lest we be shamed; for I sent this young goat and you have not found her.”

Judah, attempting to uphold his end of the deal, sends his friend Hirah with the goat to retrieve his personal items from the woman. However, when Hirah searches for her, he finds no sign of her, and the locals claim there was no prostitute there. Judah, realizing he cannot recover his belongings, resigns to avoid further embarrassment. He decides not to pursue the matter any longer, fearing public shame if it became known that he had engaged with a supposed prostitute. Judah’s decision to drop the matter reveals his concern with social standing and reputation.

Genesis 38:24 (NKJV)
24 And it came to pass, about three months after, that Judah was told, saying, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has played the harlot; furthermore, she is with child by harlotry.” So Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned!”

Three months later, it becomes evident that Tamar is pregnant. News of her pregnancy reaches Judah, and he immediately assumes she has been unfaithful, engaging in prostitution. Judah’s response is swift and severe, calling for her to be burned—a punishment that reflects the harsh treatment of sexual immorality in that time. His reaction, however, reveals his hypocrisy, as he had unknowingly been involved with her. Judah is quick to judge and condemn, failing to see the larger picture or consider his own actions.

Genesis 38:25-26 (NKJV)
25 When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “By the man to whom these belong, I am with child.” And she said, “Please determine whose these are—the signet and cord, and staff.”
26 So Judah acknowledged them and said, “She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son.” And he never knew her again.

As Tamar is about to be punished, she presents the evidence—the signet, cord, and staff—that prove Judah is the father of her child. Judah immediately recognizes his belongings and, in a moment of self-realization, acknowledges his wrongdoing. He admits that Tamar acted more righteously than he did because she sought justice and did what was necessary to preserve the family line. Judah’s confession marks a turning point in his character, as he recognizes his failure to keep his promise to her. This act of repentance leads him to refrain from any further relationship with Tamar.

Key points to consider: The Bible does not condone sin as a means to receive God’s blessings. While Tamar’s actions in Genesis 38 were deceitful and culturally driven, God used the situation to further His redemptive plan, showcasing His grace and sovereignty. This highlights that, although God can bring good from sinful actions, He does not endorse them. True faith is demonstrated through trust in God and obedience to His will, rather than through sinful actions, even when circumstances are challenging or unclear.

Genesis 38:27-30 (NKJV)
27 Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb.
28 And so it was, when she was giving birth, that one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.”
29 Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother came out unexpectedly; and she said, “How did you break through? This breach be upon you!” Therefore his name was called Perez.
30 Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was called Zerah.

In this passage, Tamar gives birth to twins, Zerah and Perez. Zerah initially extends his hand, marked with a scarlet thread, but Perez unexpectedly comes out first. His name, meaning "breach" or "breakthrough," reflects this reversal of birth order, symbolizing how God often subverts human expectations. Perez’s sudden emergence is significant because he becomes part of the messianic line, an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ. This event highlights God's sovereignty, showing how He can bring about His plans through unexpected circumstances and individuals, even when the situation appears complex or unconventional.