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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 38:13 When Tamar was told, "Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/38-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/01_Gen_38_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 38:13 - Judah and Tamar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When Tamar was told, Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep," /><script type="application/javascript" 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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/38.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When Tamar was told, &#8220Your father-in-law is on his way to Timnah to shear his sheep,&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/38.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Someone told Tamar, “Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/38.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And when Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/38.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/38.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And it was told Tamar, saying, “Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />It was told to Tamar, &#8220Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And it was told to Tamar, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then it was told to Tamar, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Tamar was told, “Listen, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Tamar was told, &#8220Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/38.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold, thy father-in-law goeth up to Timnah to shear his sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Tamar found out that her father-in-law Judah was going to Timnah to shear his sheep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/38.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold, thy father in law goeth up to Timnah to shear his sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />As soon as Tamar was told that her father-in-law was on his way to Timnah to shear his sheep,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/38.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Someone told Tamar that her father-in-law was going to Timnah to shear his sheep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/38.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Look!" somebody reported to Tamar, "Your father-in-law is going to Timnah to shear his sheep." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Tamar was told, ?Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/38.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Tamar was told, "Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And Tamar was told, saying, "Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And it was told to Tamar, saying, Behold, thy father-in-law goeth up to Timnath, to shear his sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/38.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And it is declared to Tamar, saying, “Behold, your husband’s father is going up to Timnath to shear his flock”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And it is declared to Tamar, saying, 'Lo, thy husband's father is going up to Timnath to shear his flock;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it will be announced to Tamar, saying, Behold, thy father-in-law going up to Timnath to shear his sheep.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And it was told Thamar that her father in law was come up to Thamnas to shear his sheep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And it was reported to Tamar that her father-in-law had gone up to Timnah to shear the sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/38.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is on his way up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold your father-in-law is going up to Timnath to shear his sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they told Tamar and they said to her, “Behold, your father in law went up to Tamnath to shear his flock”,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it was told Tamar, saying: 'Behold, thy father-in-law goeth up to Timnah to shear his sheep.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it was told Thamar his daughter-in-law, saying, Behold, thy father-in-law goeth up to Thamna, to shear his sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/38-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=9730" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">Judah and Tamar</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>After 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. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><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.">When Tamar</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: way·yug·gaḏ (Conj-w:: V-Hofal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To be conspicuous. ">was told,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2524.htm" title="2524: ḥā·mîḵ (N-msc:: 2fs) -- Husband's father. From the same as chowmah; a father-in-law.">“Your father-in-law</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ō·leh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">is going up</a> <a href="/hebrew/8553.htm" title="8553: ṯim·nā·ṯāh (N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- Territory, two cities in Judah. From manah; a portion assigned; Timnah, the name of two places in Palestine.">to Timnah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1494.htm" title="1494: lā·ḡōz (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To shear. A primitive root; to cut off; specifically to shear a flock or shave the hair; figuratively to destroy an enemy.">to shear</a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: ṣō·nōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">his sheep,”</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>she removed her widow’s garments, covered her face with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that although Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/1-11.htm">Ruth 1:11-13</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-10</a></span><br />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.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-3.htm">Matthew 1:3</a></span><br />Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/22-13.htm">Leviticus 22:13</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/27-8.htm">Numbers 27:8-11</a></span><br />Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter. / If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. / If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/2-4.htm">1 Chronicles 2:4</a></span><br />Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-24.htm">Matthew 22:24</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-19.htm">Mark 12:19</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-28.htm">Luke 20:28</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/38-11.htm">Genesis 38:11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/38-26.htm">Genesis 38:26</a></span><br />Judah 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-12.htm">Genesis 46:12</a></span><br />The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-44.htm">1 Samuel 25:44</a></span><br />But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Palti son of Laish, who was from Gallim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/13-13.htm">2 Samuel 13:13</a></span><br />Where could I ever take my shame? And you would be like one of the fools in Israel! Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold your father in law goes up to Timnath to shear his sheep.</p><p class="hdg">Timnath.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/14-1.htm">Judges 14:1</a></b></br> And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.</p><p class="hdg">shear.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Genesis 31:19</a></b></br> And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that <i>were</i> her father's.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/25-2.htm">1 Samuel 25:2,11</a></b></br> And <i>there was</i> a man in Maon, whose possessions <i>were</i> in Carmel; and the man <i>was</i> very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/31-20.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/john/18-13.htm">Father-In-Law</a> <a href="/genesis/37-16.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/genesis/38-8.htm">Husband's</a> <a href="/2_john/1-6.htm">Law</a> <a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">News</a> <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Shear</a> <a href="/genesis/38-12.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/genesis/38-11.htm">Tamar</a> <a href="/genesis/38-12.htm">Timnah</a> <a href="/genesis/38-12.htm">Timnath</a> <a href="/genesis/37-18.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/41-25.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Father-In-Law</a> <a href="/genesis/38-17.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/numbers/5-14.htm">Husband's</a> <a href="/genesis/38-16.htm">Law</a> <a href="/genesis/42-2.htm">News</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-19.htm">Shear</a> <a href="/genesis/45-10.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/genesis/38-24.htm">Tamar</a> <a href="/genesis/38-14.htm">Timnah</a> <a href="/genesis/38-14.htm">Timnath</a> <a href="/genesis/38-14.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 38</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-1.htm">Judah begets Er, Onan, and Shelah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-6.htm">Er's marriage with Tamar, and death.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-8.htm">The trespass of Onan.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-11.htm">Tamar is reserved for Shelah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-12.htm">Judah's wife dies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-13.htm">Tamar deceives Judah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-27.htm">She bears twins, Pharez and Zarah.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>When Tamar was told</b><br>This phrase indicates that Tamar received information, likely through a messenger or a member of the community. In the ancient Near Eastern context, communication often relied on word of mouth. Tamar's awareness of Judah's movements suggests she was attentive to her circumstances, possibly due to her precarious position as a widow awaiting fulfillment of levirate marriage obligations.<p><b>“Your father-in-law</b><br>Judah, Tamar's father-in-law, is a significant figure in the narrative. As one of the sons of Jacob, he holds a prominent place in the lineage of Israel. The relationship between Judah and Tamar is central to the unfolding of God's plan, as their eventual union leads to the birth of Perez, an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ (<a href="/matthew/1-3.htm">Matthew 1:3</a>).<p><b>is going up to Timnah</b><br>Timnah was a town located in the hill country of Judah. The phrase "going up" reflects the geographical elevation of Timnah relative to the surrounding areas. This journey indicates a routine activity, as shearing sheep was a common agricultural practice. The mention of Timnah also connects to other biblical events, such as Samson's interactions with the Philistines in <a href="/judges/14.htm">Judges 14</a>.<p><b>to shear his sheep,”</b><br>Sheep shearing was a significant economic and social event in ancient times, often accompanied by festivities. It was a time of harvest and celebration, providing an opportunity for community gatherings. This context sets the stage for Tamar's plan to secure her rights within Judah's family, highlighting her resourcefulness and determination. The act of shearing sheep also symbolizes a time of transformation and renewal, paralleling the changes in Tamar's life and her role in the lineage of the Messiah.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/tamar.htm">Tamar</a></b><br>The widow of Er, Judah's firstborn, and later the widow of Onan. She is a central figure in this chapter, known for her determination to secure her rights and lineage within Judah's family.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>One of the twelve sons of Jacob, and the father-in-law of Tamar. His actions and decisions are pivotal in this account, reflecting both personal and familial dynamics.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/timnah.htm">Timnah</a></b><br>A location in the tribal territory of Judah, known for its agricultural activities, particularly sheep shearing, which was a significant economic and social event.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/sheep_shearing.htm">Sheep Shearing</a></b><br>An important economic activity in ancient times, often associated with festivity and social gatherings. It sets the stage for the events that follow in the account.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_messenger.htm">The Messenger</a></b><br>Though not named, the person who informs Tamar of Judah's movements plays a crucial role in the unfolding of the account.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_context_and_customs.htm">Cultural Context and Customs</a></b><br>Understanding the cultural practice of levirate marriage is crucial to grasping Tamar's motivations and actions. This custom was designed to protect widows and ensure the continuation of a family line.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite human failings and complex situations, God's purposes prevail. Tamar's account is a testament to God's ability to work through imperfect circumstances to fulfill His promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/righteousness_and_justice.htm">Righteousness and Justice</a></b><br>Tamar's actions, though unconventional, highlight a pursuit of justice and righteousness within her cultural context. Her determination to secure her rights challenges us to consider how we advocate for justice today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_women_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Women in God's Plan</a></b><br>Tamar's inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus underscores the significant role women play in God's redemptive history. Her account encourages us to recognize and value the contributions of women in the faith community.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_38.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 38</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_happened_to_tamar_in_the_bible.htm">What happened to Tamar in the biblical narrative?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_chr_2_3-4_align_with_gen_38.htm">How does 1 Chronicles 2:3-4 align with Genesis 38 regarding Judah and Tamar's lineage, and does it create inconsistencies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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/pulpit/genesis/38.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And it was told Tamer, saying, Behold thy father in-law</span> - <span class="hebrew">חָם</span>, a father-in-law, from <span class="hebrew">חָמָה</span>, unused, to join together. Of. <span class="greek">γαμβρός</span> for <span class="greek">γαμερός</span>, a son-in-law, or generally one connected lay marriage, from <span class="greek">γαμέω</span> - <span class="cmt_word">goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/38-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">When Tamar</span><br /><span class="heb">לְתָמָ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ṯā·mār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8559.htm">Strong's 8559: </a> </span><span class="str2">Tamar -- daughter-in-law of Judah, also two Israelite women, also a place South of the Dead Sea </span><br /><br /><span class="word">was told,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֻּגַּ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(way·yug·gaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hofal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Your father-in-law</span><br /><span class="heb">חָמִ֛יךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·mîḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2524.htm">Strong's 2524: </a> </span><span class="str2">Husband's father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is going up</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹלֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Timnah</span><br /><span class="heb">תִמְנָ֖תָה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯim·nā·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8553.htm">Strong's 8553: </a> </span><span class="str2">Timnah -- 'territory', two cities in Judah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to shear</span><br /><span class="heb">לָגֹ֥ז</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḡōz)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1494.htm">Strong's 1494: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut off, to shear a, flock, shave the hair, to destroy an enemy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his sheep,”</span><br /><span class="heb">צֹאנֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṣō·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/38-13.htm">Genesis 38:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/38-13.htm">Genesis 38:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/38-13.htm">Genesis 38:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/38-13.htm">Genesis 38:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/38-13.htm">Genesis 38:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/38-13.htm">Genesis 38:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/38-13.htm">Genesis 38:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/38-13.htm">Genesis 38:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/38-13.htm">Genesis 38:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/38-13.htm">Genesis 38:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/38-13.htm">OT Law: Genesis 38:13 It was told Tamar saying Behold your (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/38-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 38:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/38-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 38:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:14" /></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>