Genesis — Chapter 38

King James Version (KJV)

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Genesis 38:1 And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and ^Rturned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.

Genesis 38:2 And Judah ^Rsaw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.

Genesis 38:3 And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.

Genesis 38:4 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name ^ROnan.

Genesis 38:5 And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name ^RShelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.

Genesis 38:6 And Judah ^Rtook a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.

Genesis 38:7 And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was ^Rwicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.

Genesis 38:8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.

Genesis 38:9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, ^Rlest that he should give seed to his brother.

Genesis 38:10 And the thing which he did ^RTdispleased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.

Genesis 38:11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, ^Rtill Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.

Genesis 38:12 And ^Tin process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah’s wife died; and Judah was ^Rcomforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.

Genesis 38:13 And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.

Genesis 38:14 And she put her widow’s garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, ^Rand sat in ^Tan open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.

Genesis 38:15 When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.

Genesis 38:16 And he turned unto her by the way, and said, ^RGo to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?

Genesis 38:17 And he said, ^RI will send thee ^Ta kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it?

Genesis 38:18 And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, ^RThy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.

Genesis 38:19 And she arose, and went away, and ^Rlaid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.

Genesis 38:20 And Judah sent the kid by the hand of ^Rhis friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman’s hand: but he found her not.

Genesis 38:21 Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was ^Topenly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place.

Genesis 38:22 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.

Genesis 38:23 And Judah said, Let her take it to her, ^Rlest we ^Tbe shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.

Genesis 38:24 And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath ^Rplayed the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.

Genesis 38:25 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, ^RDiscern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.

Genesis 38:26 And Judah ^Racknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

Genesis 38:27 And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.

Genesis 38:28 And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.

Genesis 38:29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, ^THow hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore ^Rhis name was called ^TPharez.

Genesis 38:30 And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called ^RZarah.

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📖 What We’re Reading

Genesis 38:1–11 — Judah’s Family and Tamar

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Judah’s sons are born, and Tamar becomes Er’s wife. Er and Onan die after wrongdoing in the LORD’s sight. Judah tells Tamar to remain a widow until Shelah grows.

Key Truth: The account records wrongdoing, judgment, and Judah’s obligation toward Tamar.

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📖 What We’re Reading

Genesis 38:12–23 — Tamar and Judah’s Pledge

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Tamar sees that she has not been given to Shelah. Judah mistakes her identity, and she receives his signet, bracelets, and staff as a pledge before conceiving by him.

Key Truth: The pledge preserves evidence of Judah’s identity and actions.

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📖 What We’re Reading

Genesis 38:24–30 — Judah Acknowledges the Truth

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

When Tamar is accused, she sends Judah the pledge items. He acknowledges them and admits his failure to give her to Shelah. Tamar bears the twins Pharez and Zarah.

Key Truth: Judah acknowledges his own failure when confronted with the evidence.

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