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For she saw that although Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/38-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/01_Gen_38_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 38:14 - Judah and Tamar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="she removed her widow's garments, covered her face with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. 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For she saw that, though Shelah had now grown up, she had not been given to him as his wife. <a href="/nlt/genesis/38.htm">New Living Translation</a> Tamar was aware that Shelah had grown up, but no arrangements had been made for her to come and marry him. So she changed out of her widow’s clothing and covered herself with a veil to disguise herself. Then she sat beside the road at the entrance to the village of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. <a href="/esv/genesis/38.htm">English Standard Version</a> she took off her widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil, wrapping herself up, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him in marriage. <a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> she removed her widow’s garments, covered her face with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that although Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife. <a href="/kjv/genesis/38.htm">King James Bible</a> And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an 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. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/38.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So she removed her widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and she had not been given to him as a wife. <a href="/nasb/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1995</a> So she removed her widow&#8217s garments and covered herself with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and she had not been given to him as a wife. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a> So she removed her widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and she had not been given to him as a wife. <a href="/lsb/genesis/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So she removed her widow’s garments from herself and covered herself with a veil and wrapped herself. And she sat at the entrance of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and she had not been given to him as a wife. <a href="/amp/genesis/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So she removed her widow’s clothes and covered herself with a veil, and wrapped herself up [in disguise], and sat in the gateway of Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and she had not been given to him as a wife [as Judah had promised]. <a href="/csb/genesis/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So she took off her widow’s clothes, veiled her face, covered herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that, though Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So she took off her widow&#8217s clothes, veiled her face, covered herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that, though Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife. <a href="/asv/genesis/38.htm">American Standard Version</a> And she put off from her the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is by the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she was not given unto him to wife. <a href="/cev/genesis/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> She also realized that Shelah was now a grown man, but she had not been allowed to marry him. So she decided to dress in something other than her widow's clothes and to cover her face with a veil. After this, she sat outside the town of Enaim on the road to Timnah. <a href="/erv/genesis/38.htm">English Revised Version</a> And she put off from her the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is by the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she was not given unto him to wife. <a href="/gwt/genesis/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> she took off her widow's clothes, covered her face with a veil, and disguised herself. Then she sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. (She did this because she realized that Shelah was grown up now, and she hadn't been given to him in marriage.) <a href="/gnt/genesis/38.htm">Good News Translation</a> So she changed from the widow's clothes she had been wearing, covered her face with a veil, and sat down at the entrance to Enaim, a town on the road to Timnah. As she well knew, Judah's youngest son Shelah was now grown up, and yet she had not been given to him in marriage. <a href="/isv/genesis/38.htm">International Standard Version</a> So she took off her mourning apparel, covered herself with a shawl, and concealed her outward appearance. Then she went out and sat at the entrance of Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah, because she knew that even though Shelah had grown up, she wasn't being given to him as his wife. <a href="/msb/genesis/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> she removed her widow?s garments, covered her face with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that although Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife. <a href="/net/genesis/38.htm">NET Bible</a> So she removed her widow's clothes and covered herself with a veil. She wrapped herself and sat at the entrance to Enaim which is on the way to Timnah. (She did this because she saw that she had not been given to Shelah as a wife, even though he had now grown up.) <a href="/nheb/genesis/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> She took off her widow?s clothes and covered herself with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him as a wife. <a href="/wbt/genesis/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And she put off from her, her widow's garments, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath: for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him for a wife. <a href="/web/genesis/38.htm">World English Bible</a> She took off the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she wasn’t given to him as a wife. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and she turns aside the garments of her widowhood from off her, and covers herself with a veil, and wraps herself up, and sits in the opening of Enayim, which [is] by the way to Timnath, for she has seen that Shelah has grown up, and she has not been given to him for a wife. <a href="/ylt/genesis/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and she turneth aside the garments of her widowhood from off her, and covereth herself with a vail, and wrappeth herself up, and sitteth in the opening of Enayim, which is by the way to Timnath, for she hath seen that Shelah hath grown up, and she hath not been given to him for a wife. <a href="/slt/genesis/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And she will remove the garments of her widowhood from her, and she will be covered with a veil, and will veil herself and will sit in the entrance of the eyes, which is upon the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was great, and she was not given to him for a wife.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And she put off the garments of her widowhood, and took a veil: and changing her dress, sat in the cross way, that leadeth to Thamnas: because Sela was grown up, and she had not been married to him. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And storing away the garments of her widowhood, she took up a veil. And changing her clothing, she sat at the crossroad that leads to Timnah, because Shelah had grown up, and she had not received him as a husband. <a href="/nabre/genesis/38.htm">New American Bible</a> So she took off her widow’s garments, covered herself with a shawl, and having wrapped herself sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah; for she was aware that, although Shelah was now grown up, she had not been given to him in marriage. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> she put off her widow’s garments, put on a veil, wrapped herself up, and sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. She saw that Shelah was grown up, yet she had not been given to him in marriage.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And she put off her widow's dress, and adorned herself, and covered her face with a veil, and sat down at the parting of the road to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she was not given to him to wife. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And she put away the clothes of her widowhood from her, and she was covered with a veil and she was adorned, and she sat in the crossing of the roads, which is on the road of Tamnath, because she saw that Shela had grown and she had not been given to him.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And she put off from her the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the entrance of Enaim, which is by the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she was not given unto him to wife. <a href="/sep/genesis/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And having taken off the garments of her widowhood from her, she put on a veil, and ornamented her face, and sat by the gates of Aenan, which is in the way to Thamna, for she saw that Selom was grown; but he gave her not to him for a wife. <a href="/parallel/genesis/38-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=9735" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">Judah and Tamar</a> …13When Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,” 14<a href="/hebrew/5493.htm" title="5493: wat·tā·sar (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To turn aside. Or suwr; a primitive root; to turn off.">she removed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: mê·‘ā·le·hā (Prep-m:: 3fs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">her</a> <a href="/hebrew/491.htm" title="491: ’al·mə·nū·ṯāh (N-fsc:: 3fs) -- Widowhood. Feminine of 'alman; concrete, a widow; abstract, widowhood.">widow’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/899.htm" title="899: biḡ·ḏê (N-mpc) -- A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage. From bagad; a covering, i.e. Clothing; also treachery or pillage.">garments,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5968.htm" title="5968: wat·tiṯ·‘al·lāp̄ (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To cover. A primitive root; to veil or cover; figuratively, to be languid.">covered her face</a> <a href="/hebrew/6809.htm" title="6809: baṣ·ṣā·‘îp̄ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A wrapper, shawl, or veil. From an unused root meaning to wrap over; a veil.">with a veil</a> <a href="/hebrew/3680.htm" title="3680: wat·tə·ḵas (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To cover. A primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. Fill up hollows; by implication, to cover.">to disguise herself,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: wat·tê·šeḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">and sat</a> <a href="/hebrew/6607.htm" title="6607: bə·p̄e·ṯaḥ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Opening, doorway, entrance. From pathach; an opening, i.e. Door or entrance way.">at the entrance</a> <a href="/hebrew/5879.htm" title="5879: ‘ê·na·yim (N-proper-fs) -- Enaim -- two springs, a place in Israel. Or meynam; dual of ayin; double fountain; Enajim or Enam, a place in Palestine.">to Enaim,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">which</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">is on</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">the way</a> <a href="/hebrew/8553.htm" title="8553: tim·nā·ṯāh (N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- Territory, two cities in Judah. From manah; a portion assigned; Timnah, the name of two places in Palestine.">to Timnah.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’ă·ṯāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">she saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/7956.htm" title="7956: šê·lāh (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Judah. The same as sh'elah; request; Shelah, the name of a postdiluvian patriarch and of an Israelite.">although Shelah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1431.htm" title="1431: ḡā·ḏal (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To grow up, become great. A primitive root; properly, to twist, i.e. To be large.">had grown up,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hi·w (Conj-w:: Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">she</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">had not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nit·tə·nāh (V-Nifal-Perf-3fs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">been given</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">to him</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: lə·’iš·šāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">as a wife.</a> 15When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute because she had covered her face.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-10</a> When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. / But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” ... <a href="/ruth/3-3.htm">Ruth 3:3</a> Therefore wash yourself, put on perfume, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. <a href="/hosea/4-14.htm">Hosea 4:14</a> I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin. <a href="/proverbs/7-10.htm">Proverbs 7:10</a> Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart. <a href="/leviticus/22-13.htm">Leviticus 22:13</a> But if a priest’s daughter with no children becomes widowed or divorced and returns to her father’s house, she may share her father’s food as in her youth. But no outsider may share it. <a href="/numbers/30-9.htm">Numbers 30:9</a> Every vow a widow or divorced woman pledges to fulfill is binding on her. <a href="/isaiah/3-16.htm">Isaiah 3:16</a> The LORD also says: “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty—walking with heads held high and wanton eyes, prancing and skipping as they go, jingling the bracelets on their ankles— <a href="/ezekiel/16-32.htm">Ezekiel 16:32</a> You adulterous wife! You receive strangers instead of your own husband! <a href="/2_samuel/13-18.htm">2 Samuel 13:18</a> So Amnon’s attendant threw her out and bolted the door behind her. Now Tamar was wearing a robe of many colors, because this is what the king’s virgin daughters wore. <a href="/jeremiah/3-3.htm">Jeremiah 3:3</a> Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed. <a href="/matthew/1-3.htm">Matthew 1:3</a> Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. <a href="/matthew/22-24.htm">Matthew 22:24</a> “Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. <a href="/mark/12-19.htm">Mark 12:19</a> “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. <a href="/luke/20-28.htm">Luke 20:28</a> “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-39.htm">1 Corinthians 7:39</a> A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him to wife.and sat.<a href="/proverbs/7-12.htm">Proverbs 7:12</a> Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)<a href="/jeremiah/3-2.htm">Jeremiah 3:2</a> Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.<a href="/ezekiel/16-25.htm">Ezekiel 16:25</a> Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms.an open place.Timnath.<a href="/genesis/38-12.htm">Genesis 38:12,13</a> And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite… that Shelah.<a href="/genesis/38-11.htm">Genesis 38:11,26</a> Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till 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… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/35-2.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/genesis/27-23.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-15.htm">Disguise</a> <a href="/genesis/38-21.htm">Enaim</a> <a href="/genesis/19-6.htm">Entrance</a> <a href="/genesis/37-34.htm">Garments</a> <a href="/genesis/34-24.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/genesis/19-1.htm">Gateway</a> <a href="/genesis/38-11.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/genesis/24-65.htm">Herself</a> <a href="/genesis/34-10.htm">Open</a> <a href="/genesis/37-17.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/genesis/35-19.htm">Road</a> <a href="/genesis/37-25.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/genesis/38-11.htm">Shelah</a> <a href="/genesis/38-13.htm">Timnah</a> <a href="/genesis/38-13.htm">Timnath</a> <a href="/genesis/24-65.htm">Vail</a> <a href="/genesis/24-65.htm">Veil</a> <a href="/genesis/37-29.htm">Wasn't</a> <a href="/genesis/38-13.htm">Way</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-4.htm">Widowhood</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Widow's</a> <a href="/genesis/38-12.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/revelation/10-1.htm">Wrapped</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/38-19.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/genesis/38-15.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-2.htm">Disguise</a> <a href="/genesis/38-21.htm">Enaim</a> <a href="/genesis/43-19.htm">Entrance</a> <a href="/genesis/38-19.htm">Garments</a> <a href="/exodus/27-14.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/exodus/40-8.htm">Gateway</a> <a href="/genesis/41-48.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/genesis/38-23.htm">Herself</a> <a href="/exodus/4-11.htm">Open</a> <a href="/genesis/38-19.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/genesis/38-16.htm">Road</a> <a href="/genesis/43-33.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/genesis/38-26.htm">Shelah</a> <a href="/joshua/15-10.htm">Timnah</a> <a href="/joshua/19-50.htm">Timnath</a> <a href="/genesis/38-19.htm">Vail</a> <a href="/genesis/38-19.htm">Veil</a> <a href="/genesis/45-8.htm">Wasn't</a> <a href="/genesis/38-16.htm">Way</a> <a href="/genesis/38-19.htm">Widowhood</a> <a href="/genesis/38-19.htm">Widow's</a> <a href="/genesis/39-7.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/exodus/12-34.htm">Wrapped</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 38</div>1. <a href="/genesis/38-1.htm">Judah begets Er, Onan, and Shelah.</a> 6. <a href="/genesis/38-6.htm">Er's marriage with Tamar, and death.</a> 8. <a href="/genesis/38-8.htm">The trespass of Onan.</a> 11. <a href="/genesis/38-11.htm">Tamar is reserved for Shelah.</a> 12. <a href="/genesis/38-12.htm">Judah's wife dies.</a> 13. <a href="/genesis/38-13.htm">Tamar deceives Judah.</a> 27. <a href="/genesis/38-27.htm">She bears twins, Pharez and Zarah.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/38.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/38.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>she removed her widow’s garments In ancient Near Eastern culture, clothing often signified one's social status or life situation. Tamar's widow's garments indicated her mourning and her status as a widow. By removing these garments, Tamar was symbolically stepping out of her role as a widow, which was significant given her unresolved levirate marriage situation. The levirate law, later codified in <a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-10</a>, required a brother-in-law to marry the widow to produce offspring for the deceased brother. Tamar's actions reflect her awareness of this cultural expectation and her determination to secure her rights and future.covered her face with a veil to disguise herself Veiling in the ancient world could signify modesty, betrothal, or, in some contexts, prostitution. Tamar's use of a veil was strategic, allowing her to disguise her identity. This act of veiling is pivotal in the narrative, as it sets the stage for her encounter with Judah. The veil prevented Judah from recognizing her, which was crucial for her plan to succeed. This act of disguise can be seen as a form of wisdom or cunning, reminiscent of other biblical figures who used disguise for a greater purpose, such as Rahab in <a href="/joshua/2.htm">Joshua 2</a>.and sat at the entrance to Enaim Enaim, meaning "eyes" or "springs," was a location on the road to Timnah. Sitting at the entrance suggests a place of visibility and encounter, where travelers would pass by. This strategic positioning indicates Tamar's intention to be noticed by Judah. The entrance to a city or town was often a place of significant social and economic activity, making it an ideal location for Tamar's plan.which is on the way to Timnah Timnah was a town in the territory of Judah, known for its vineyards and agriculture. The mention of Timnah situates the narrative geographically and culturally, as it was a place associated with harvest and festivity. This context of travel and festivity may have contributed to Judah's state of mind and his subsequent actions. Timnah is also mentioned in the story of Samson (Judges 14), highlighting its recurring role in biblical narratives as a place of significant events.For she saw that although Shelah had grown up Shelah was Judah's third son, and according to the levirate custom, he was next in line to marry Tamar. The phrase indicates that enough time had passed for Shelah to reach maturity, yet the expected marriage had not occurred. This delay highlights Judah's failure to fulfill his obligation to Tamar, which was a serious breach of social and familial duty. Tamar's awareness of Shelah's maturity underscores her understanding of her rights and the injustice she faced.she had not been given to him as a wife This phrase emphasizes the unfulfilled promise and the injustice done to Tamar. Judah's failure to give Tamar to Shelah as a wife left her in a vulnerable position, without security or a future. This situation reflects broader themes of justice and righteousness in the Bible, where God often intervenes on behalf of the marginalized and oppressed. Tamar's actions can be seen as a pursuit of justice, aligning with biblical themes where God upholds the cause of the widow and the orphan (<a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/tamar.htm">Tamar</a> The widow of Er, Judah's firstborn, who disguises herself to secure her rights and future. 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> One of the twelve sons of Jacob, who fails to fulfill his promise to Tamar. 3. <a href="/topical/s/shelah.htm">Shelah</a> Judah's youngest son, whom Tamar was promised to marry after the death of his brothers. 4. <a href="/topical/e/enaim.htm">Enaim</a> The location where Tamar positions herself, strategically on the way to Timnah. 5. <a href="/topical/t/timnah.htm">Timnah</a> A place associated with Judah's sheep-shearing, a significant event in the account.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_keeping_promises.htm">The Importance of Keeping Promises</a> Judah's failure to keep his promise to Tamar leads to a series of events that could have been avoided. This teaches the importance of integrity and faithfulness in our commitments. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a> Despite human failings, God's purposes prevail. Tamar's actions, though unconventional, are used by God to fulfill His greater plan, as seen in the genealogy of Jesus. <a href="/topical/r/righteousness_and_justice.htm">Righteousness and Justice</a> Tamar's pursuit of justice for herself highlights the importance of standing up for one's rights within the framework of God's law. It challenges us to consider how we advocate for justice in our own lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_women_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Women in God's Plan</a> Tamar's account is a reminder of the significant roles women play in God's redemptive history, often in unexpected ways. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_redemption.htm">Repentance and Redemption</a> Judah's eventual acknowledgment of his wrongdoing and Tamar's righteousness points to the power of repentance and the possibility of redemption.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_38.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 38</a> <a href="/q/is_it_credible_judah_didn't_recognize_tamar.htm">In Genesis 38:14–18, how credible is it historically that Judah would fail to recognize his own daughter-in-law simply because she covered her face? </a> <a href="/q/how_does_genesis_38_fit_biblical_ethics.htm">In Genesis 38 overall, how does this morally complex story align with the broader biblical narrative on sexual ethics and lineage preservation?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_proverbs_7_practices.htm">Is there any historical or archaeological evidence supporting the cultural practices implied in Proverbs 7, or is it purely a moral allegory?</a> <a href="/q/what_happened_to_tamar_in_the_bible.htm">What happened to Tamar in the biblical narrative?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/38.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) In an open place.--Heb., in the gate of Enajim. Enajim means "the two fountains," and we learn from <a href="/genesis/38-21.htm" title="Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place.">Genesis 38:21</a> that it was the town where Tamar's father dwelt, and where Tamar was living with him in her widowhood. In the exploration of Palestine, Enajim has been identified with a place called Allin, Anin, or Anaim, three miles east of Tibneh, and situated upon an ancient road coming from Adullam. This makes the conclusion come to for other reasons certain, that the Timnath on the Philistine border was the town meant.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/38.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 14. - And she put her widow's garments off from her (to prevent detection by Judah), and covered her with a veil, - to conceal her features, after the fashion of a courtesan (ver. 15; cf. <a href="/job/24-15.htm">Job 24:15</a>) - and wrapped herself, - possibly with some large mantle (Alford) - and sat in an open place, - literally, in the opening (i.e. gate) of Enaim (LXX., Gesenius, Keil, Kalisch, Lange, et alii); less happily, in the opening of the eyes, i.e. in a public and open place (Calvin), in the parting of the ways, in bivio itineris (Vulgate), in the opening (or breaking forth) of the two fountains (Aben Ezra, Rosenmüller) - which is by (or upon) the way to Timnath; - "close to the site of Thamna, now Tibneh, three miles to the east, on an ancient road coming from Adullam, the very road by which the patriarch Judah would have come from Adullam to Timnah, is a ruin called Allin, or Anita, or Ainim" ('Palestine Exploration,' quoted by Inglis) - for she saw that Shelah was grown (he was probably not much younger than either of his brothers who had died), and she was not given unto him to wife - literally, for a wife. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/38-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>she removed וַתָּסַר֩ (wat·tā·sar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5493.htm">Strong's 5493: </a> To turn aside her widow’s אַלְמְנוּתָ֜הּ (’al·mə·nū·ṯāh) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_491.htm">Strong's 491: </a> A widow, widowhood garments, בִּגְדֵ֨י (biḡ·ḏê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_899.htm">Strong's 899: </a> A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage covered her face וַתִּתְעַלָּ֔ף (wat·tiṯ·‘al·lāp̄) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5968.htm">Strong's 5968: </a> To veil, cover, to be languid with a veil בַּצָּעִיף֙ (baṣ·ṣā·‘îp̄) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6809.htm">Strong's 6809: </a> A wrapper, shawl, or veil to disguise herself, וַתְּכַ֤ס (wat·tə·ḵas) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3680.htm">Strong's 3680: </a> To plump, fill up hollows, to cover and sat וַתֵּ֙שֶׁב֙ (wat·tê·šeḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry at the entrance בְּפֶ֣תַח (bə·p̄e·ṯaḥ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6607.htm">Strong's 6607: </a> An opening, door, entrance way to Enaim, עֵינַ֔יִם (‘ê·na·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> An eye, a fountain which אֲשֶׁ֖ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that is on מֵֽעָלֶ֗יהָ (mê·‘ā·le·hā) Preposition-m | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the way דֶּ֣רֶךְ (de·reḵ) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action to Timnah. תִּמְנָ֑תָה (tim·nā·ṯāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8553.htm">Strong's 8553: </a> Timnah -- 'territory', two cities in Judah For כִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction she saw רָאֲתָה֙ (rā·’ă·ṯāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see that כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction although Shelah שֵׁלָ֔ה (šê·lāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7956.htm">Strong's 7956: </a> Shelah -- a son of Judah had grown up, גָדַ֣ל (ḡā·ḏal) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1431.htm">Strong's 1431: </a> To grow up, become great she וְהִ֕וא (wə·hi·w) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are had not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no been given נִתְּנָ֥ה (nit·tə·nāh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set to him ל֖וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_0.htm">Strong's 0: </a> 0 as a wife. לְאִשָּֽׁה׃ (lə·’iš·šāh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/38-14.htm">Genesis 38:14 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/38-14.htm">Genesis 38:14 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/38-14.htm">Genesis 38:14 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/38-14.htm">Genesis 38:14 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/38-14.htm">Genesis 38:14 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/38-14.htm">Genesis 38:14 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/38-14.htm">Genesis 38:14 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/38-14.htm">Genesis 38:14 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/38-14.htm">Genesis 38:14 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/38-14.htm">Genesis 38:14 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/38-14.htm">OT Law: Genesis 38:14 She took off of her the garments (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/38-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 38:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/38-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 38:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>