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So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. <a href="/nlt/genesis/38.htm">New Living Translation</a> “What kind of guarantee do you want?” he replied. She answered, “Leave me your identification seal and its cord and the walking stick you are carrying.” So Judah gave them to her. Then he had intercourse with her, and she became pregnant. <a href="/esv/genesis/38.htm">English Standard Version</a> He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” She replied, “Your signet and your cord and your staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him. <a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “What pledge should I give you?” he asked. She answered, “Your seal and your cord, and the staff in your hand.” So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. <a href="/kjv/genesis/38.htm">King James Bible</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="/nkjv/genesis/38.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” And she said, “Your seal and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and had relations with her, and she conceived by him. <a href="/nasb/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1995</a> He said, &#8220What pledge shall I give you?&#8221 And she said, &#8220Your seal and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.&#8221 So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And he said, “What pledge shall I give you?” And she said, “Your seal and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him. <a href="/lsb/genesis/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then he said, “What pledge shall I give you?” And she said, “Your signet and your cord and your staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him. <a href="/amp/genesis/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a> He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” She said, “Your seal and your cord, and the staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and was intimate with her, and she conceived by him. <a href="/csb/genesis/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “What should I give you? ” he asked. She answered, “Your signet ring, your cord, and the staff in your hand.” So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> What should I give you?&#8221 he asked. She answered, &#8220Your signet ring, your cord, and the staff in your hand.&#8221 So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she got pregnant by him. <a href="/asv/genesis/38.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet and thy cord, and thy staff that is in thy hand. And he gave them to her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him. <a href="/cev/genesis/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "What do you want?" he asked in return. "The ring on that cord around your neck," was her reply. "I also want the special walking stick you have with you." He gave them to her, they slept together, and she became pregnant. <a href="/erv/genesis/38.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet and thy cord, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave them to her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him. <a href="/gwt/genesis/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "What should I give you as a deposit?" he asked. "Your signet ring, its cord, and the shepherd's staff that's in your hand," she answered. So he gave them to her. Then he slept with her, and she became pregnant. <a href="/gnt/genesis/38.htm">Good News Translation</a> "What shall I give you as a pledge?" he asked. She answered, "Your seal with its cord and the walking stick you are carrying." He gave them to her. Then they had intercourse, and she became pregnant. <a href="/isv/genesis/38.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then he asked, "What pledge do you want me to give you?" "Your signet ring, cord, and the staff in your hand," she suggested. So he gave them to her, had sex with her, and she became pregnant by him. <a href="/msb/genesis/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?What pledge should I give you?? he asked. She answered, ?Your seal and your cord, and the staff in your hand.? So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. <a href="/net/genesis/38.htm">NET Bible</a> He said, "What pledge should I give you?" She replied, "Your seal, your cord, and the staff that's in your hand." So he gave them to her and had sex with her. She became pregnant by him. <a href="/nheb/genesis/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He said, "What kind of guarantee should I give you?" She replied, "Your signet and your cord and your staff that is in your hand. "So he gave them to her, and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. <a href="/wbt/genesis/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? and she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thy hand: and he gave them to her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him. <a href="/web/genesis/38.htm">World English Bible</a> He said, “What pledge will I give you?” She said, “Your signet and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” He gave them to her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And he says, “What [is] the pledge that I give to you?” And she says, “Your seal, and your ribbon, and your staff which [is] in your hand”; and he gives to her, and goes in to her, and she conceives to him; <a href="/ylt/genesis/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he saith, 'What is the pledge that I give to thee?' and she saith, 'Thy seal, and thy ribbon, and thy staff which is in thy hand;' and he giveth to her, and goeth in unto her, and she conceiveth to him; <a href="/slt/genesis/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will say, What the pledge which I shall give to thee? And she will say, Thy seal, and thy cord, and thy rod which is in thy hand: and he will give to her, and will go in to her, and she will conceive by him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Juda said: What wilt thou have for a pledge ? She answered: Thy ring and bracelet, and the staff which thou holdest in thy hand. The woman therefore at one copulation conceived. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Judah said, “What do you want to be given for a pledge?” She responded, “Your ring and bracelet, and the staff that you hold in your hand.” Thereupon, the woman, from one sexual encounter, conceived. <a href="/nabre/genesis/38.htm">New American Bible</a> Judah asked, “What pledge should I leave you?” She answered, “Your seal and cord, and the staff in your hand.” So he gave them to her and had intercourse with her, and she conceived by him. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” She replied, “Your signet and your cord, and the staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he said, What kind of a pledge shall I give you? And she said, Your ring and your robe and the staff that is in your hand. So he gave them to her, and then went in unto her, and she conceived by him. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he said, “What pledge shall I give to you?”, and she said, “Your ring and your robe and your staff that is in your hand”, and he gave them to her, and he went into her and she conceived from him.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he said: 'What pledge shall I give thee?' And she said: 'Thy signet and thy cord, and thy staff that is in thy hand.' And he gave them to her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him. <a href="/sep/genesis/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he said, What is the earnest that I shall give thee? and she said, Thy ring, and thy bracelet, and the staff in thy hand; and he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him. <a href="/parallel/genesis/38-18.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=9775" 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> …17“I will send you a young goat from my flock,” Judah answered. But she replied, “Only if you leave me something as a pledge until you send it.” 18<a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“What</a> <a href="/hebrew/6162.htm" title="6162: hā·‘ê·rā·ḇō·wn (Art:: N-ms) -- A pledge. From arab; a pawn.">pledge</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: ’et·ten- (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">should I give</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">you?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he asked.</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.">She answered,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2368.htm" title="2368: ḥō·ṯā·mə·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A seal, signet ring. Or chotham; from chatham; a signature-ring.">“Your seal</a> <a href="/hebrew/6616.htm" title="6616: ū·p̄ə·ṯî·le·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Cord, thread. From pathal; twine.">and your cord,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4294.htm" title="4294: ū·maṭ·ṭə·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Or mattah; from natah; a branch; figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising, ruling, throwing, or walking.">and the staff</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yā·ḏe·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">in your hand.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: way·yit·ten- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">So he gave them</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- ">to her</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">and slept with</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·le·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- To, into, towards. ">her,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2029.htm" title="2029: wat·ta·har (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To conceive, become pregnant. A primitive root; to be pregnant, conceive.">and she became pregnant</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">by him.</a> 19Then Tamar got up and departed. And she removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments 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="/genesis/37-25.htm">Genesis 37:25-28</a> And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt. / Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? / Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed. ... <a href="/genesis/44-32.htm">Genesis 44:32-34</a> Indeed, your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father, saying, ‘If I do not return him to you, I will bear the guilt before you, my father, all my life.’ / Now please let your servant stay here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy. Let him return with his brothers. / For how can I go back to my father without the boy? I could not bear to see the misery that would overwhelm him.” <a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Genesis 49:10</a> The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his. <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/4-7.htm">Ruth 4:7-10</a> Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel. / So the kinsman-redeemer removed his sandal and said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” / At this, Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I am buying from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon. ... <a href="/1_samuel/18-4.htm">1 Samuel 18:4</a> And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt. <a href="/1_samuel/24-17.htm">1 Samuel 24:17-22</a> and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil. / And you have declared this day how you have treated me well, for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. / When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day. ... <a href="/2_samuel/12-1.htm">2 Samuel 12:1-7</a> Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. / The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, / but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. ... <a href="/2_kings/2-8.htm">2 Kings 2:8</a> And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. <a href="/isaiah/3-18.htm">Isaiah 3:18-23</a> In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents; / their pendants, bracelets, and veils; / their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms; ... <a href="/jeremiah/22-24.htm">Jeremiah 22:24</a> “As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “even if you, Coniah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on My right hand, I would pull you off. <a href="/ezekiel/16-11.htm">Ezekiel 16:11-13</a> I adorned you with jewelry, and I put bracelets on your wrists and a chain around your neck. / I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head. / So you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was made of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil. You became very beautiful and rose to be queen. <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/22-23.htm">Matthew 22:23-28</a> That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and questioned Him. / “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. / Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother. ... <a href="/luke/3-33.htm">Luke 3:33</a> the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he said, What pledge shall I give you? And she said, Your signet, and your bracelets, and your staff that is in your hand. And he gave it her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him.Thy signet.<a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Genesis 38:25</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="/jeremiah/22-24.htm">Jeremiah 22:24</a> As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;<a href="/jeremiah/22-25.htm">Jeremiah 22:25,26</a> And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans… <a href="/jeremiah/22-24.htm">Jeremiah 22:24</a> As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;<a href="/luke/15-22.htm">Luke 15:22</a> But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:bracelets.gave it her.<a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Genesis 38:25,26</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="/hosea/4-11.htm">Hosea 4:11</a> Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/24-47.htm">Bracelets</a> <a href="/genesis/37-30.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/38-5.htm">Conceived</a> <a href="/genesis/38-4.htm">Conceiveth</a> <a href="/genesis/14-23.htm">Cord</a> <a href="/genesis/37-27.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/numbers/15-38.htm">Lace</a> <a href="/genesis/38-17.htm">Pledge</a> <a href="/genesis/38-3.htm">Pregnant</a> <a href="/songs/4-3.htm">Ribbon</a> <a href="/genesis/24-47.htm">Ring</a> <a href="/genesis/6-14.htm">Seal</a> <a href="/haggai/2-23.htm">Signet</a> <a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Slept</a> <a href="/genesis/32-10.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/genesis/32-10.htm">Stick</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Bracelets</a> <a href="/genesis/38-24.htm">Child</a> <a href="/exodus/2-2.htm">Conceived</a> <a href="/exodus/2-2.htm">Conceiveth</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Cord</a> <a href="/genesis/38-20.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/exodus/28-28.htm">Lace</a> <a href="/genesis/38-20.htm">Pledge</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Pregnant</a> <a href="/exodus/28-28.htm">Ribbon</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Ring</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Seal</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Signet</a> <a href="/genesis/41-5.htm">Slept</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.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>“What pledge should I give you?” he asked. In the ancient Near Eastern context, pledges or guarantees were common in transactions to ensure fulfillment of agreements. Judah's question reflects a customary practice of providing a tangible item as a security deposit. This practice is seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as in <a href="/proverbs/20-16.htm">Proverbs 20:16</a>, which advises taking a garment as a pledge. The request for a pledge indicates a transactional nature to the encounter, highlighting the moral and ethical complexities in Judah's actions.She answered, “Your seal and your cord, and the staff in your hand.” The seal, cord, and staff were personal items that signified identity and authority. The seal, often a signet ring or cylinder, was used to imprint a unique mark on clay or wax, serving as a signature. The cord likely refers to the string or chain that held the seal. The staff was a symbol of leadership and personal identity, often carved with unique markings. These items were unmistakably linked to Judah, making them significant in the narrative as they later serve as evidence of his actions. This request for personal items underscores the seriousness of the pledge and foreshadows their role in revealing Judah's identity.So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. Judah's compliance in giving these items shows his willingness to fulfill the transaction, despite the potential risks. The act of sleeping with Tamar, his daughter-in-law, was against the Levitical laws that would later be established (<a href="/leviticus/18-15.htm">Leviticus 18:15</a>). This encounter results in Tamar's pregnancy, which is crucial for the continuation of Judah's lineage. The birth of Perez and Zerah from this union is significant, as Perez becomes an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ (<a href="/matthew/1-3.htm">Matthew 1:3</a>). This event illustrates God's sovereignty in using flawed human actions to fulfill His divine purposes, highlighting themes of redemption and grace.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> One of the twelve sons of Jacob, Judah is a central figure in this account. He is the one who unknowingly engages with his daughter-in-law, Tamar, thinking she is a prostitute. 2. <a href="/topical/t/tamar.htm">Tamar</a> The widow of Judah's son, she disguises herself to secure her future and fulfill her duty to produce offspring for her deceased husband. 3. <a href="/topical/s/seal,_cord,_and_staff.htm">Seal, Cord, and Staff</a> These items were personal identifiers of Judah, symbolizing his authority and identity. They were given as a pledge to Tamar. 4. <a href="/topical/a/adullam.htm">Adullam</a> A place mentioned earlier in the chapter where Judah went down to stay, marking a period of separation from his brothers. 5. <a href="/topical/c/conception.htm">Conception</a> The event where Tamar conceives twins, Perez and Zerah, through Judah, which plays a significant role in the lineage of David and ultimately Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_identity_and_integrity.htm">The Importance of Identity and Integrity</a> Judah's seal, cord, and staff were symbols of his identity. As Christians, we must guard our identity in Christ and live with integrity. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_imperfect_situations.htm">God's Sovereignty in Imperfect Situations</a> Despite the morally complex situation, God used it to further His redemptive plan. We can trust God to work through our imperfections. <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 were pivotal in the lineage of Christ. This highlights the significant role women play in God's purposes. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_redemption.htm">Repentance and Redemption</a> Judah's later acknowledgment of his wrongdoing (<a href="/genesis/38-26.htm">Genesis 38:26</a>) shows the power of repentance and the possibility of redemption. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_god's_promises.htm">Faithfulness to God's Promises</a> The account underscores God's faithfulness to His promises, as seen in the continuation of the line of Judah leading to Christ.<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/what_does_'the_wages_of_sin'_mean.htm">What does 'The Wages of Sin is Death' mean?</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/bible's_view_on_rapture,_tribulation.htm">What does the Bible say about Rapture and Tribulation?</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>(18) Thy bracelets.--Heb., thy cord. The art of engraving was probably not advanced enough among these nomads to permit them to engrave gems small enough to wear in a ring. Judah evidently suspended his signet round his neck by a cord; and this custom still exists among the Arabs, of whom some wear signet rings, while others hang them round their necks. Probably each man of distinction had his emblem, and in Genesis 49 Jacob seems to refer to them. Thus Judah's emblem was a lion, Zebulun's a ship, Issachar's an ass, &c.Thy staff.--The staff in ancient times was elaborately adorned. Herodotus (i. 195) describes the staves carried by the Babylonians, as having on them carvings of fruit, or of some flower or bird; and Homer perpetually makes mention of the "sceptres," that is, walking-sticks, of the kings, as carved so magnificently as to be worthy of being ascribed to Hephaestus, and handed down as emblems of authority from father to son. (See Iliad, ii. 101-107.) It is from these staves that the sceptres of kings, and the batons of field-marshals, &c, are derived.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/38.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 18. - And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, - the chotham, or signet, was either worn on the finger, δακτυλίον (LXX.) or suspended round the neck by a pithil, or silk string. Its impression was a sign of property and a means of security (cf. <a href="/matthew/27-66.htm">Matthew 27:66</a>; <a href="/john/3-33.htm">John 3:33</a>; <a href="/ephesians/1-13.htm">Ephesians 1:13</a>, etc.). Among the ancient Babylonians it was customary for every one to wear such a ring (Herod., 1:195); and modern Arabians in towns wear a seal-ring on the finger, or fastened by a cord round the neck, the impression of which serves as a signature (Robinson, 1:52). The seals and signets that have been brought to light by the excavations in Assyria and Babylon (Layard, 'Nin. and Bab.,' 152-159, 602-608) are of various forms and materials. They show the art of engraving to have been of great antiquity; but whether Judah's signet was marked with alphabetical characters cannot be determined, though it may have been, since alphabetical writing was as old at least as the time of Abraham (vide Keil, 'Introd.,' Part I. sect. 1. <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1</a>. § 4) - and thy bracelets (rather, thy chain, pithil, ut supra), and thy staff (the mateh, or rod, was so called from the idea of stretching out, the root being natah, to stretch out or extend) that is in thine hand. This too every Baby-Ionian carried (Herod., 1:195). "It was necessarily adorned with some device carved upon it, and consisting in a flower or a fruit, a bird, or some other animal" (Kalisch). And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/38-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“What מָ֣ה (māh) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what pledge הָֽעֵרָבוֹן֮ (hā·‘ê·rā·ḇō·wn) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6162.htm">Strong's 6162: </a> A pledge should I give you?” אֶתֶּן־ (’et·ten-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set he asked. וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say She answered, וַתֹּ֗אמֶר (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 “Your seal חֹתָֽמְךָ֙ (ḥō·ṯā·mə·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2368.htm">Strong's 2368: </a> A seal, signet ring and your cord, וּפְתִילֶ֔ךָ (ū·p̄ə·ṯî·le·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6616.htm">Strong's 6616: </a> Cord, thread and the staff וּמַטְּךָ֖ (ū·maṭ·ṭə·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4294.htm">Strong's 4294: </a> A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe in your hand.” בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ (bə·yā·ḏe·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand So he gave וַיִּתֶּן־ (way·yit·ten-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set them to her לָּ֛הּ (lāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> and slept with וַיָּבֹ֥א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go her, אֵלֶ֖יהָ (’ê·le·hā) Preposition | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to and she became pregnant וַתַּ֥הַר (wat·ta·har) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2029.htm">Strong's 2029: </a> To conceive, become pregnant by him. לֽוֹ׃ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/38-18.htm">Genesis 38:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/38-18.htm">Genesis 38:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/38-18.htm">Genesis 38:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/38-18.htm">Genesis 38:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/38-18.htm">Genesis 38:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/38-18.htm">Genesis 38:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/38-18.htm">Genesis 38:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/38-18.htm">Genesis 38:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/38-18.htm">Genesis 38:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/38-18.htm">Genesis 38:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/38-18.htm">OT Law: Genesis 38:18 He said What pledge will I give (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/38-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 38:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/38-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 38:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:19" /></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>