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So Tamar went to live in her father's house.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/38-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/01_Gen_38_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 38:11 - Judah and Tamar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, Live as a widow in your father's house until my son Shelah grows up. For he thought, He may die too, like his brothers. 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So Tamar went back to live in her father’s home. <a href="/esv/genesis/38.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, till Shelah my son grows up”—for he feared that he would die, like his brothers. So Tamar went and remained in her father’s house. <a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house. <a href="/kjv/genesis/38.htm">King James Bible</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. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/38.htm">New King James Version</a> Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house till my son Shelah is grown.” For he said, “Lest he also die like his brothers.” And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”; for he thought, “I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house. <a href="/nasb/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, &#8220Remain a widow in your father&#8217s house until my son Shelah grows up"; for he thought, &#8220I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.&#8221 So Tamar went and lived in her father&#8217s house. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”; for he thought, “I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house. <a href="/lsb/genesis/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”; for he thought, “I am afraid lest he also die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house. <a href="/amp/genesis/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow at your father’s house until Shelah my [youngest] son is grown”; [but he was deceiving her] for he thought that [if Shelah should marry her] he too might die like his brothers did. So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house. <a href="/csb/genesis/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He might die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, &#8220Remain a widow in your father&#8217s house until my son Shelah grows up.&#8221 For he thought, &#8220He might die too, like his brothers.&#8221 So Tamar went to live in her father&#8217s house. <a href="/asv/genesis/38.htm">American Standard Version</a> Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow in thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown up; for he said, Lest he also die, like his brethren. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. <a href="/cev/genesis/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Judah did not want the same thing to happen to his son Shelah, and he told Tamar, "Go home to your father and live there as a widow until my son Shelah is grown." So Tamar went to live with her father. <a href="/erv/genesis/38.htm">English Revised Version</a> Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow in thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown up: for he said, Lest he also die, like his brethren. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. <a href="/gwt/genesis/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Return to your father's home. Live as a widow until my son Shelah grows up." He thought that this son, too, might die like his brothers. So Tamar went to live in her father's home. <a href="/gnt/genesis/38.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Return to your father's house and remain a widow until my son Shelah grows up." He said this because he was afraid that Shelah would be killed, as his brothers had been. So Tamar went back home. <a href="/isv/genesis/38.htm">International Standard Version</a> After this, Judah told his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Go live as a widow in your father's house until my son Shelah grows up." But he was really thinking, "…otherwise, Shelah might die like his brothers." So Tamar left and lived in her father's house. <a href="/net/genesis/38.htm">NET Bible</a> Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Live as a widow in your father's house until Shelah my son grows up." For he thought, "I don't want him to die like his brothers." So Tamar went and lived in her father's house. <a href="/nheb/genesis/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Remain a widow in your father?s house until my son Shelah is grown up." For he thought, "I do not want him to die too, like his brothers. "So Tamar went and lived in her father?s house. <a href="/wbt/genesis/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son shall be grown; (for he said, Lest perhaps he die also as his brethren did:) and Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/genesis/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house. <a href="/web/genesis/38.htm">World English Bible</a> Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, until Shelah, my son, is grown up;” for he said, “Lest he also die, like his brothers.” Tamar went and lived in her father’s house. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Judah says to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Abide [as] a widow at your father’s house, until my son Shelah grows up”; for he said, “Lest he die—even he—like his brothers”; and Tamar goes and dwells at her father’s house. <a href="/ylt/genesis/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Judah saith to Tamar his daughter-in-law, 'Abide a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son groweth up;' for he said, 'Lest he die -- even he -- like his brethren;' and Tamar goeth and dwelleth at her father's house. <a href="/slt/genesis/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Judah will say to Tamar his daughter-in-law, Sit a widow in thy father's house, till Shelah my son shall be great; (for he said, Lest this also shall die as his brethren.) And Tamar will go and will sit in her father's house.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Wherefore Juda said to Thamar his daughter in law: Remain a widow in thy father's house, till Sela my son grow up: for he was afraid lest he also might die, as his brethren did. She went her way and dwelt in her father's house. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Because of this matter, Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Be a widow in your father’s house, until my son Shelah grows up.” For he was afraid, lest he also might die, just as his brothers did. She went away, and she lived in her father’s house. <a href="/nabre/genesis/38.htm">New American Bible</a> Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”—for he feared that Shelah also might die like his brothers. So Tamar went to live in her father’s house. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”—for he feared that he too would die, like his brothers. So Tamar went to live in her father’s house.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then said Judah to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow in your father's house, until my son Shelah grows up; for he said. Lest he die also, as his brothers did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Yehuda said to Tamar his daughter in law, “Remain in widowhood in your father's house until Shela my son grows, because he said, “Lest he should die also as his brothers”, and Tamar went and she dwelt in her father's house.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law: 'Remain a widow in thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown up'; for he said: 'Lest he also die, like his brethren.' And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. <a href="/sep/genesis/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Judas said to Thamar, his daughter-in-law, Sit thou a widow in the house of thy father-in-law, until Selom my son be grown; for he said, lest he also die as his brethren; and Thamar departed, and sat in the house of her father. <a href="/parallel/genesis/38-11.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=9702" 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> …10What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well. 11<a href="/hebrew/3063.htm" title="3063: yə·hū·ḏāh (N-proper-ms) -- From yadah; celebrated; Jehudah, the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.">Then Judah</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.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/3618.htm" title="3618: kal·lā·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Daughter-in-law, bride. From kalal; a bride; hence, a son's wife.">to his daughter-in-law</a> <a href="/hebrew/8559.htm" title="8559: lə·ṯā·mār (Prep-l:: N-proper-fs) -- The same as tamar; Tamar, the name of three women and a place.">Tamar,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: šə·ḇî (V-Qal-Imp-fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">“Live</a> <a href="/hebrew/490.htm" title="490: ’al·mā·nāh (N-fs) -- A widow. Fem of 'alman; a widow; also a desolate place.">as a widow</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîḵ (N-msc:: 2fs) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">in your father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ḇêṯ- (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">house</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">until</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">my son</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.">Shelah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1431.htm" title="1431: yiḡ·dal (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To grow up, become great. A primitive root; properly, to twist, i.e. To be large.">grows up.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he thought,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">“He</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">may</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: yā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">die</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">too,</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: kə·’e·ḥāw (Prep-k:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">like his brothers.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/8559.htm" title="8559: tā·mār (N-proper-fs) -- The same as tamar; Tamar, the name of three women and a place.">So Tamar</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: wat·tê·leḵ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">went</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.">to live</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇî·hā (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">in her father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">house.</a> 12After a long time Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had finished mourning, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah.…<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/1-11.htm">Ruth 1:11-13</a> But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands? / Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons, / would you wait for them to grow up? Would you refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, it is much more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.” <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="/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/36-6.htm">Numbers 36:6-9</a> This is what the LORD has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: They may marry anyone they please, provided they marry within a clan of the tribe of their father. / No inheritance in Israel may be transferred from tribe to tribe, because each of the Israelites is to retain the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. / Every daughter who possesses an inheritance from any Israelite tribe must marry within a clan of the tribe of her father, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of his fathers. ... <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. <a href="/1_timothy/5-3.htm">1 Timothy 5:3-5</a> Honor the widows who are truly widows. / But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. / The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers. <a href="/1_timothy/5-11.htm">1 Timothy 5:11-14</a> But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry, / and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith. / At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention. ... <a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Exodus 22:22-24</a> You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. / If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. / My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless. <a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1-4</a> King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. ... <a href="/2_samuel/14-5.htm">2 Samuel 14:5-7</a> “What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead. / And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. / Now the whole clan has risen up against your maidservant and said, ‘Hand over the one who struck down his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of the brother whom he killed. Then we will cut off the heir as well!’ So they would extinguish my one remaining ember by not preserving my husband’s name or posterity on the earth.” <a href="/isaiah/54-4.htm">Isaiah 54:4-5</a> Do not be afraid, for you will not be put to shame; do not be intimidated, for you will not be humiliated. For you will forget the shame of your youth and will remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. / For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. <a href="/jeremiah/3-1.htm">Jeremiah 3:1</a> “If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers—and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at your father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brothers did. And Tamar went and dwelled in her father's house.till Shelah.<a href="/ruth/1-11.htm">Ruth 1:11,13</a> And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? … in her.<a href="/leviticus/22-13.htm">Leviticus 22:13</a> But if the priest's daughter be a widow, or divorced, and have no child, and is returned unto her father's house, as in her youth, she shall eat of her father's meat: but there shall no stranger eat thereof.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/genesis/38-2.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/genesis/11-31.htm">Daughter-In-Law</a> <a href="/genesis/33-13.htm">Die</a> <a href="/genesis/37-1.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/genesis/37-35.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/genesis/24-36.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-15.htm">Grows</a> <a href="/genesis/36-6.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/38-8.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/genesis/32-20.htm">Peradventure</a> <a href="/genesis/32-20.htm">Perhaps</a> <a href="/genesis/38-5.htm">Shelah</a> <a href="/genesis/38-6.htm">Tamar</a> <a href="/genesis/32-20.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/revelation/18-7.htm">Widow</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/42-4.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/genesis/38-12.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/genesis/38-16.htm">Daughter-In-Law</a> <a href="/genesis/42-2.htm">Die</a> <a href="/genesis/45-10.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/genesis/41-51.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/genesis/38-14.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/exodus/10-5.htm">Grows</a> <a href="/genesis/39-1.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/38-12.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/genesis/42-4.htm">Peradventure</a> <a href="/genesis/42-4.htm">Perhaps</a> <a href="/genesis/38-14.htm">Shelah</a> <a href="/genesis/38-13.htm">Tamar</a> <a href="/genesis/38-15.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Widow</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>Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, plays a significant role in the narrative of Genesis. His interaction with Tamar is pivotal in the lineage of the tribe of Judah, from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ would descend. This moment highlights Judah's responsibility towards his family and the Levirate marriage custom, which required a brother to marry the widow of a deceased brother to produce offspring in his name.“Live as a widow in your father’s house In ancient Near Eastern culture, a widow would typically remain in her deceased husband's family to ensure her protection and provision. Judah's instruction for Tamar to return to her father's house was unusual and suggests a temporary arrangement. This reflects the precarious position of widows in biblical times, who often relied on male relatives for support.until my son Shelah grows up.” Shelah was Judah's youngest son, and the expectation was that he would eventually marry Tamar to fulfill the Levirate marriage duty. This promise was a way to ensure Tamar's future security and the continuation of her deceased husband's line. However, Judah's reluctance to fulfill this promise foreshadows the tension and eventual deception that follows.For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” Judah's fear that Shelah might die like his brothers, Er and Onan, reveals his superstitious or perhaps guilty mindset. This reflects a lack of faith and understanding of God's sovereignty. The deaths of Er and Onan were due to their wickedness, as described earlier in the chapter, not Tamar's influence.So Tamar went to live in her father’s house. Tamar's return to her father's house signifies her obedience and patience, despite the uncertainty of her future. This action sets the stage for her later boldness and determination to secure her rights and fulfill her role in God's plan. Her story is a testament to God's providence and the unexpected ways He fulfills His promises, as Tamar becomes an ancestor of the Messiah.<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 father-in-law of Tamar and is concerned about the potential death of his remaining son, Shelah. 2. <a href="/topical/t/tamar.htm">Tamar</a> The daughter-in-law of Judah, Tamar is widowed after the deaths of Judah's sons, Er and Onan. She is instructed to live as a widow in her father's house. 3. <a href="/topical/s/shelah.htm">Shelah</a> The youngest son of Judah, who is promised to Tamar as a husband when he grows up. Judah is hesitant to fulfill this promise due to fear for Shelah's life. 4. <a href="/topical/e/er_and_onan.htm">Er and Onan</a> The deceased sons of Judah, whose deaths lead to Tamar's precarious situation. Their deaths are seen as divine judgment for their wickedness. 5. <a href="/topical/t/tamar's_father's_house.htm">Tamar's Father's House</a> The place where Tamar is sent to live as a widow, representing a return to her family and a temporary halt in her marital prospects.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_uncertainty.htm">Faithfulness in Uncertainty</a> Tamar's situation teaches us about remaining faithful and patient in uncertain circumstances, trusting in God's timing and provision. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_fear.htm">The Consequences of Fear</a> Judah's fear for Shelah's life leads to a delay in fulfilling his promise. Fear can hinder us from doing what is right and trusting God's protection. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereign_plan.htm">God's Sovereign Plan</a> Despite human failings and fears, God's sovereign plan unfolds. Tamar's inclusion in the lineage of Christ demonstrates God's ability to work through imperfect situations. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_family_duty.htm">The Importance of Family Duty</a> The account emphasizes the importance of family responsibilities and the cultural expectations of the time, which can be applied to our understanding of commitment and duty today.<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/who_was_perez_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Perez in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_happened_to_tamar_in_the_bible.htm">What happened to Tamar in the biblical narrative?</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 name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/38.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) For he said, lest he also die.--It is evident from this that Judah, for reasons which, in <a href="/genesis/38-26.htm" title="And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She has been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.">Genesis 38:26</a>, he acknowledged to be insufficient, wished to evade the duty of giving a third son to Tamar. It does not follow that he blamed her for their deaths; for the loss of two sons in succession might well frighten him. Philippsohn says that it became the rule, that if a woman lost two husbands, the third brother was not bound to marry her, and she was even called Katlannith. the murderess. (But see St. <a href="/context/matthew/22-25.htm" title="Now there were with us seven brothers: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife to his brother:">Matthew 22:25-26</a>, where no such custom is acknowledged.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/38.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - Then said Judah to Tamer his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow - alma-nah, from alam, to be solitary, forsaken, signifies one bereft of a husband, hence a widow (cf. <a href="/exodus/22-21.htm">Exodus 22:21</a>) - at thy father's house (cf. <a href="/leviticus/22-13.htm">Leviticus 22:13</a>), till Shelah my son be grown. It is implied that this was merely a pretext on the part of Judah, and that he did not really intend to give his third son to Tamar, considering her an unlucky woman (Delitzsch, Keil, Kalisch), or, at least, not at present, under the impression that the deaths of Er and Onan had been occasioned by their too early marriages (Lange). The reason of his failure to release Tamar from her widowhood is added in the ensuing clause. For he said (sc. in his heart), Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamer went and dwelt in her father's house. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/38-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then Judah יְהוּדָה֩ (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3063.htm">Strong's 3063: </a> Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites said וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (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 to his daughter-in-law כַּלָּת֜וֹ (kal·lā·ṯōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3618.htm">Strong's 3618: </a> Daughter-in-law, bride Tamar, לְתָמָ֨ר (lə·ṯā·mār) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8559.htm">Strong's 8559: </a> Tamar -- daughter-in-law of Judah, also two Israelite women, also a place South of the Dead Sea “Live שְׁבִ֧י (šə·ḇî) Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry as a widow אַלְמָנָ֣ה (’al·mā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_490.htm">Strong's 490: </a> A widow, a desolate place in your father’s אָבִ֗יךְ (’ā·ḇîḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father house בֵית־ (ḇêṯ-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house until עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while my son בְנִ֔י (ḇə·nî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son Shelah שֵׁלָ֣ה (šê·lāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7956.htm">Strong's 7956: </a> Shelah -- a son of Judah grows up.” יִגְדַּל֙ (yiḡ·dal) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1431.htm">Strong's 1431: </a> To grow up, become great For כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction he thought, אָמַ֔ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “He ה֖וּא (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are may פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> Removal, lest die יָמ֥וּת (yā·mūṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill too, גַּם־ (gam-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and like his brothers.” כְּאֶחָ֑יו (kə·’e·ḥāw) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) So Tamar תָּמָ֔ר (tā·mār) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8559.htm">Strong's 8559: </a> Tamar -- daughter-in-law of Judah, also two Israelite women, also a place South of the Dead Sea went וַתֵּ֣לֶךְ (wat·tê·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk to live וַתֵּ֖שֶׁב (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 in her father’s אָבִֽיהָ׃ (’ā·ḇî·hā) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father house. בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/38-11.htm">Genesis 38:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/38-11.htm">Genesis 38:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/38-11.htm">Genesis 38:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/38-11.htm">Genesis 38:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/38-11.htm">Genesis 38:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/38-11.htm">Genesis 38:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/38-11.htm">Genesis 38:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/38-11.htm">Genesis 38:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/38-11.htm">Genesis 38:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/38-11.htm">Genesis 38:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/38-11.htm">OT Law: Genesis 38:11 Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/38-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 38:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/38-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 38:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:12" /></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>