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And she added, &#8220See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/38.htm">New Living Translation</a> But as they were taking her out to kill her, she sent this message to her father-in-law: “The man who owns these things made me pregnant. Look closely. Whose seal and cord and walking stick are these?” <a href="/esv/genesis/38.htm">English Standard Version</a> As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.” And she said, “Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.” <a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> As she was being brought out, Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Please examine them. Whose seal and cord and staff are these?” <a href="/kjv/genesis/38.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/38.htm">New King James Version</a> 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.” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> It was while she was being brought out that she sent word to her father-in-law, saying, “I am pregnant by the man to whom these things belong.” She also said, “Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?” <a href="/nasb/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1995</a> It was while she was being brought out that she sent to her father-in-law, saying, &#8220I am with child by the man to whom these things belong.&#8221 And she said, &#8220Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a> It was while she was being brought out that she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man to whom these things belong.” And she said, “Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?” <a href="/lsb/genesis/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> It was while she was being brought out that she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man to whom these things belong.” And she said, “Please recognize this and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?” <a href="/amp/genesis/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a> While she was being brought out, she [took the things Judah had given her and] sent [them along with a message] to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man to whom these articles belong.” And she added, “Please examine [them carefully] and see [clearly] to whom these things belong, the seal and the cord and staff.” <a href="/csb/genesis/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> As she was being brought out, she sent her father-in-law this message: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Examine them. Whose signet ring, cord, and staff are these? ” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> As she was being brought out, she sent her father-in-law this message: &#8220I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.&#8221 And she added, &#8220Examine them. Whose signet ring, cord, and staff are these?&#8221 <a href="/asv/genesis/38.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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 the cords, and the staff. <a href="/cev/genesis/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> As Tamar was being dragged off, she sent someone to tell her father-in-law, "The man who gave me this ring, this cord, and this walking stick is the one who got me pregnant." <a href="/erv/genesis/38.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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 the cords, and the staff. <a href="/gwt/genesis/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> As she was brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law, "I'm pregnant by the man who owns these things. See if you recognize whose signet ring, cord, and shepherd's staff these are." <a href="/gnt/genesis/38.htm">Good News Translation</a> As she was being taken out, she sent word to her father-in-law: "I am pregnant by the man who owns these things. Look at them and see whose they are--this seal with its cord and this walking stick." <a href="/isv/genesis/38.htm">International Standard Version</a> While they were bringing her out, she sent this message to her father-in-law: "I am pregnant by the man to whom these things belong. Furthermore," she added, "tell me to whom this signet ring, cord, and staff belongs." <a href="/msb/genesis/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> As she was being brought out, Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law: ?I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.? And she added, ?Please examine them. Whose seal and cord and staff are these?? <a href="/net/genesis/38.htm">NET Bible</a> While they were bringing her out, she sent word to her father-in-law: "I am pregnant by the man to whom these belong." Then she said, "Identify the one to whom the seal, cord, and staff belong." <a href="/nheb/genesis/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When she was brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, saying, "By the man who owns these I am pregnant." She also said, "Please discern whose these are?the signet, and the cord, and the staff." <a href="/wbt/genesis/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/genesis/38.htm">World English Bible</a> When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man who owns these.” She also said, “Please discern whose these are—the signet, and the cords, and the staff.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> She is brought out, and she has sent to her husband’s father, saying, “To a man whose these [are], I [am] pregnant”; and she says, “Please discern whose these [are]—the seal, and the ribbons, and the staff.” <a href="/ylt/genesis/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> She is brought out, and she hath sent unto her husband's father, saying, 'To a man whose these are, I am pregnant;' and she saith, 'Discern, I pray thee, whose are these -- the seal, and the ribbons, and the staff.' <a href="/slt/genesis/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> She being brought forth, and she sent to her father-in-law, saying, By the man whose are these, by him I conceived. And she will say, Recognise, now, to whom the seal, the cords, and the rod, these.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But when she was led to execution, she sent to her father in law, saying: By the man, to whom these things belong, I am with child. See whose ring, and bracelet, and staff this is. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But when she was led out to the punishment, she sent to her father-in-law, saying: “I conceived by the man to whom these things belong. Recognize whose ring, and bracelet, and staff this is.” <a href="/nabre/genesis/38.htm">New American Bible</a> But as she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “It is by the man to whom these things belong that I am pregnant.” Then she said, “See whose seal and cord and staff these are.” <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “It was the owner of these who made me pregnant.” And she said, “Take note, please, whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> When they brought her out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, By the man to whom these articles belong, I am with child; and she said, Determine whose they are, the ring, the robe, and the staff. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And when they brought her out, she sent to her father in law: “By the man to whom these things belong I am pregnant.” And she said, “See whose is the ring and the robe and staffthese things.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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 the cords, and the staff.' <a href="/sep/genesis/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And as they were bringing her, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, I am with child by the man whose these things are; and she said, See whose is this ring and bracelet and staff. <a href="/parallel/genesis/38-25.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=9849" 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> …24About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!” 25<a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">As she</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: mū·ṣêṯ (V-Hofal-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">was being brought out,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hî (Conj-w:: Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">Tamar</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: šā·lə·ḥāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">sent</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">a message</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: lə·’îš (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to her</a> <a href="/hebrew/2524.htm" title="2524: ḥā·mî·hā (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Husband's father. From the same as chowmah; a father-in-law.">father-in-law:</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">“I am</a> <a href="/hebrew/2030.htm" title="2030: hā·rāh (Adj-fs) -- Pregnant. Or hariy; from harah; pregnant.">pregnant</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.">by the man to whom</a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: ’êl·leh (Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">these items</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">belong.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wat·tō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">And she added,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">“Please</a> <a href="/hebrew/5234.htm" title="5234: hak·ker- (V-Hifil-Imp-ms) -- To regard, recognize. ">examine them.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: lə·mî (Prep-l:: Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">Whose</a> <a href="/hebrew/2858.htm" title="2858: ha·ḥō·ṯe·meṯ (Art:: N-fs) -- Signet ring. Feminine active participle of chatham; a seal.">seal</a> <a href="/hebrew/6616.htm" title="6616: wə·hap·pə·ṯî·lîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-mp) -- Cord, thread. From pathal; twine.">and cord</a> <a href="/hebrew/4294.htm" title="4294: wə·ham·maṭ·ṭeh (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- Or mattah; from natah; a branch; figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising, ruling, throwing, or walking.">and staff</a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: hā·’êl·leh (Art:: Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">are these?”</a> 26Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.…<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="/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="/ruth/4-12.htm">Ruth 4:12</a> And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.” <a href="/1_chronicles/2-4.htm">1 Chronicles 2:4</a> Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all. <a href="/deuteronomy/22-21.htm">Deuteronomy 22:21</a> she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house, and there the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father’s house. So you must purge the evil from among you. <a href="/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10</a> If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death. <a href="/john/8-3.htm">John 8:3-11</a> The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them / and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. / In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” ... <a href="/numbers/5-11.htm">Numbers 5:11-31</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him / by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act), ... <a href="/2_samuel/12-5.htm">2 Samuel 12:5-7</a> David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan: “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! / Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.” / Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. <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="/ezekiel/16-38.htm">Ezekiel 16:38</a> And I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and those who shed blood; so I will bring upon you the wrath of your bloodshed and jealousy. <a href="/proverbs/6-32.htm">Proverbs 6:32-33</a> He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. / Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away. <a href="/romans/2-1.htm">Romans 2:1</a> You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-11</a> Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. / And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. <a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7</a> Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. <a href="/james/2-13.htm">James 2:13</a> For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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 you, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.Discern.<a href="/genesis/38-18.htm">Genesis 38:18</a> And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy 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.<a href="/genesis/37-32.htm">Genesis 37:32</a> And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no.<a href="/psalms/50-21.htm">Psalm 50:21</a> These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/3-5.htm">Acknowledge</a> <a href="/genesis/30-28.htm">Added</a> <a href="/genesis/32-18.htm">Belong</a> <a href="/genesis/38-18.htm">Bracelets</a> <a href="/genesis/38-24.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/38-18.htm">Cord</a> <a href="/genesis/24-32.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/genesis/37-32.htm">Discern</a> <a href="/genesis/37-32.htm">Examine</a> <a href="/genesis/38-13.htm">Father-In-Law</a> <a href="/genesis/38-24.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/genesis/38-16.htm">Law</a> <a href="/genesis/17-11.htm">Mark</a> <a href="/genesis/32-5.htm">Message</a> <a href="/genesis/32-17.htm">Owns</a> <a href="/genesis/38-16.htm">Please</a> <a href="/genesis/38-18.htm">Pregnant</a> <a href="/genesis/36-7.htm">Property</a> <a href="/genesis/27-23.htm">Recognize</a> <a href="/genesis/38-18.htm">Ring</a> <a href="/genesis/38-18.htm">Seal</a> <a href="/genesis/38-18.htm">Signet</a> <a href="/genesis/38-18.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/genesis/38-18.htm">Stick</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/4-39.htm">Acknowledge</a> <a href="/genesis/38-26.htm">Added</a> <a href="/genesis/40-8.htm">Belong</a> <a href="/exodus/35-22.htm">Bracelets</a> <a href="/genesis/42-22.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/49-11.htm">Cord</a> <a href="/genesis/49-24.htm">Cords</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-29.htm">Discern</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-3.htm">Examine</a> <a href="/exodus/3-1.htm">Father-In-Law</a> <a href="/genesis/38-28.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/genesis/47-26.htm">Law</a> <a href="/exodus/12-5.htm">Mark</a> <a href="/genesis/50-16.htm">Message</a> <a href="/genesis/39-8.htm">Owns</a> <a href="/genesis/40-8.htm">Please</a> <a href="/exodus/2-2.htm">Pregnant</a> <a href="/genesis/39-5.htm">Property</a> <a href="/genesis/42-8.htm">Recognize</a> <a href="/genesis/41-42.htm">Ring</a> <a href="/exodus/28-11.htm">Seal</a> <a href="/genesis/41-42.htm">Signet</a> <a href="/genesis/47-31.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/numbers/22-27.htm">Stick</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>As she was being brought out In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, Tamar was facing a severe punishment for being found pregnant outside of marriage, which was considered adultery. The law, as later codified in <a href="/deuteronomy/22-22.htm">Deuteronomy 22:22</a>, prescribed death for such offenses. This moment is critical as it highlights the severity of her situation and the societal norms of the time.Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law Tamar's decision to send a message to Judah, her father-in-law, is strategic and bold. It reflects her understanding of the legal and familial structures of her time. By addressing Judah directly, she seeks to reveal the truth and protect herself from unjust punishment. This action also underscores the patriarchal nature of the society, where men held significant authority over legal and familial matters.“I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” This statement is a turning point in the narrative. Tamar's declaration is a direct challenge to Judah, forcing him to confront his own actions. The items she refers to are personal and unmistakable, serving as undeniable evidence of Judah's involvement. This moment is reminiscent of other biblical instances where personal items are used to reveal truth, such as Joseph's coat in <a href="/genesis/37.htm">Genesis 37</a>.And she added, “Please examine them. Tamar's request for Judah to examine the items is a call for justice and truth. The Hebrew word for "examine" can also mean "recognize" or "acknowledge," suggesting a deeper call for Judah to recognize his responsibility. This echoes the theme of recognition and acknowledgment found throughout Scripture, such as when Nathan confronts David in <a href="/2_samuel/12.htm">2 Samuel 12</a>.Whose seal and cord and staff are these?” The seal, cord, and staff were personal items that signified identity and authority. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a seal was used to sign documents, a cord might be part of a signet ring, and a staff symbolized leadership or position. These items were unmistakably Judah's, making Tamar's evidence irrefutable. This moment foreshadows the importance of identity and authority in the lineage of Judah, which ultimately leads to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, as prophesied in <a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Revelation 5:5</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/tamar.htm">Tamar</a> A Canaanite woman who was married to Judah's son, Er. After Er's death, she was given to Onan, and upon his death, she was promised to Shelah. When Judah failed to fulfill this promise, Tamar took matters into her own hands to secure her place in the family lineage. 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> One of the twelve sons of Jacob, who plays a significant role in this account. He unknowingly fathers twins with Tamar, his daughter-in-law, after she disguises herself as a prostitute. 3. <a href="/topical/s/seal,_cord,_and_staff.htm">Seal, Cord, and Staff</a> Personal items belonging to Judah, which Tamar uses to prove the identity of her child's father. These items were significant as they represented Judah's personal and legal identity. 4. <a href="/topical/h/hebron.htm">Hebron</a> The region where this event takes place, significant in the history of the patriarchs. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_twins.htm">The Twins (Perez and Zerah)</a> The children born to Tamar and Judah, with Perez becoming an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_imperfection.htm">God's Sovereignty in Imperfection</a> Despite human failings and morally complex situations, God's purposes prevail. Tamar's actions, though unconventional, are used by God to further His redemptive plan. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_integrity.htm">The Importance of Integrity</a> Judah's initial lack of integrity in not fulfilling his promise to Tamar leads to a series of events that expose his character. This account encourages believers to uphold their commitments and act with integrity. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_redemption.htm">Repentance and Redemption</a> Judah's acknowledgment of his wrongdoing (later in the chapter) is a turning point, illustrating the power of repentance and the possibility of redemption. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_women_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Women in God's Plan</a> Tamar's bold actions demonstrate that God can use anyone, regardless of gender or social status, to accomplish His purposes. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a> The account serves as a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of sin, not only for the individual but for their family and community.<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/what_happened_to_tamar_in_the_bible.htm">What happened to Tamar in the biblical narrative?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_judah_call_tamar_'righteous'.htm">In Genesis 38:25–26, why does Judah suddenly shift from condemning Tamar to declaring her “more righteous” than he is, without any direct divine intervention or clear moral explanation? </a> <a href="/q/why_was_onan_punished_but_not_judah.htm">In Genesis 38:1-11, why would God punish Onan's refusal to father children for Tamar so severely, yet no comparable punishment is shown for Judah's neglect of her?</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 name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/38.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(25, 26) She sent . . . --The Talmud praises Tamar for so acting, as to bring no public disgrace upon Judah; and he acknowledges that he was most to blame, because the cause of her crime was his own failure to act justly by her.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/38.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 25. - When she was brought forth (literally, she was brought forth, and), she sent to her father-in-law (who apparently had not the heart to witness the execution of his own sentence), 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 (or chain), and staff. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/38-25.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>As she הִ֣וא (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are was being brought out, מוּצֵ֗את (mū·ṣêṯ) Verb - Hofal - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim she וְהִ֨יא (wə·hî) 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 sent שָׁלְחָ֤ה (šā·lə·ḥāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out a message וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (wat·tō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to her אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to father-in-law: חָמִ֙יהָ֙ (ḥā·mî·hā) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2524.htm">Strong's 2524: </a> Husband's father “I am אָנֹכִ֖י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> I pregnant הָרָ֑ה (hā·rāh) Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2030.htm">Strong's 2030: </a> Pregnant by the man to whom אֲשֶׁר־ (’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 these items אֵ֣לֶּה (’êl·leh) Pronoun - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> These, those belong.” לּ֔וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> And she added, לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Please נָ֔א (nā) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> I pray', 'now', 'then' examine them. הַכֶּר־ (hak·ker-) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5234.htm">Strong's 5234: </a> To regard, recognize Whose לְמִ֞י (lə·mî) Preposition-l | Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix seal הַחֹתֶ֧מֶת (ha·ḥō·ṯe·meṯ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2858.htm">Strong's 2858: </a> Signet ring and cord וְהַפְּתִילִ֛ים (wə·hap·pə·ṯî·lîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6616.htm">Strong's 6616: </a> Cord, thread and staff וְהַמַּטֶּ֖ה (wə·ham·maṭ·ṭeh) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4294.htm">Strong's 4294: </a> A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe are these?” הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> These, those <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/38-25.htm">Genesis 38:25 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/38-25.htm">Genesis 38:25 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/38-25.htm">Genesis 38:25 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/38-25.htm">Genesis 38:25 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/38-25.htm">Genesis 38:25 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/38-25.htm">Genesis 38:25 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/38-25.htm">Genesis 38:25 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/38-25.htm">Genesis 38:25 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/38-25.htm">Genesis 38:25 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/38-25.htm">Genesis 38:25 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">OT Law: Genesis 38:25 When she was brought forth she sent (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/38-24.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 38:24"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:24" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/38-26.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 38:26"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:26" /></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>