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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 38:22 So Hirah returned to Judah and said, "I could not find her, and furthermore, the men of that place said, 'No shrine prostitute has been here.'"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/38-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/01_Gen_38_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 38:22 - Judah and Tamar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So Hirah returned to Judah and said, I could not find her, and furthermore, the men of that place said, 'No shrine prostitute has been here.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/38-22.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/38-22.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/38.htm">Chapter 38</a> > Verse 22</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/38-21.htm" title="Genesis 38:21">◄</a> Genesis 38:22 <a href="/genesis/38-23.htm" title="Genesis 38:23">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div 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 />So he went back to Judah and said, &#8220I didn&#8217t find her. Besides, the men who lived there said, &#8216There hasn&#8217t been any shrine prostitute here.&#8217&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/38.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So Hirah returned to Judah and told him, “I couldn’t find her anywhere, and the men of the village claim they’ve never had a shrine prostitute there.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/38.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So he returned to Judah and said, “I have not found her. Also, the men of the place said, ‘No cult prostitute has been here.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Hirah returned to Judah and said, “I could not find her, and furthermore, the men of that place said, ‘No shrine prostitute has been here.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/38.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, <i>that</i> there was no harlot in this <i>place</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/38.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So he returned to Judah and said, “I cannot find her. Also, the men of the place said there was no harlot in this <i>place.</i>”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So he returned to Judah, and said, “I did not find her; and furthermore, the people of the place said, ‘There has been no temple prostitute here.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So he returned to Judah, and said, &#8220I did not find her; and furthermore, the men of the place said, &#8216There has been no temple prostitute here.&#8217&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So he returned to Judah, and said, “I did not find her; and furthermore, the men of the place said, ‘There has been no temple prostitute here.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So he returned to Judah and said, “I did not find her; and furthermore, the men of the place said, ‘There has been no cult prostitute here.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So he returned to Judah, and said, “I cannot find her; also the local men said, ‘There was no prostitute around here.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the Adullamite returned to Judah, saying, “I couldn’t find her, and besides, the men of the place said, ‘There has been no cult prostitute here.’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the Adullamite returned to Judah, saying, &#8220I couldn&#8217t find her, and furthermore, the men of the place said, &#8216There has been no cult prostitute here.&#8217&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/38.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he returned to Judah, and said, I have not found her; and also the men of the place said, There hath been no prostitute here.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Hirah went back and told Judah, "I couldn't find the woman, and the people of Enaim said no prostitute had ever been there." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/38.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he returned to Judah, and said, I have not found her; and also the men of the place said, There hath been no harlot here.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So he went back to Judah and said, "I couldn't find her. Even the men of that area said, 'There's no prostitute here.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/38.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He returned to Judah and said, "I couldn't find her. The men of the place said that there had never been a prostitute there." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/38.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So he returned to Judah and said, "I haven't found her. Also, the men who are from there said, 'There's been no prostitute here.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Hirah returned to Judah and said, ?I could not find her, and furthermore, the men of that place said, ?No shrine prostitute has been here.??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/38.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So he returned to Judah and said, "I couldn't find her. Moreover, the men of the place said, 'There has been no cult prostitute here.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He returned to Judah, and said, "I haven?t found her; and also the men of the place said, 'There has been no prostitute here.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/38.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He returned to Judah, and said, “I haven’t found her; and also the men of the place said, ‘There has been no prostitute here.’” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he turns back to Judah and says, “I have not found her; and the men of the place also have said, There has not been in this [place] a separated one,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he turneth back unto Judah, and saith, 'I have not found her; and the men of the place also have said, There hath not been in this place a separated one,'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will turn back to Judah, and will say, I found her not; and also the men of the place said, No harlot was here.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He returned to Juda, and said to him: I have not found her; moreover the men of that place said to me, that there never sat a harlot there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />He returned to Judah, and he said to him: “I did not find her. Moreover, the men of that place told me that a prostitute had never sat there.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/38.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He went back to Judah and told him, “I did not find her; and besides, the men of the place said, ‘No prostitute has been here.’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So he returned to Judah, and said, “I have not found her; moreover the townspeople said, ‘No prostitute has been here.’”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, No harlot has been here.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he returned to Yehuda and said, “I have not found her, also the men of the place were saying, “There is no harlot here.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he returned to Judah, and said: 'I have not found her; and also the men of the place said: There hath been no harlot here.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he returned to Judas, and said, I have not found her; and the men of the place say, There is no harlot here.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/38-22.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=9814" 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">21</span>He asked the men of that place, “Where is the shrine prostitute who was beside the road at Enaim?” “No shrine prostitute has been here,” they answered. <span class="reftext">22</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šāḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">So Hirah returned</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <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.">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.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“I could not</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: mə·ṣā·ṯî·hā (V-Qal-Perf-1cs:: 3fs) -- To attain to, find. ">find her,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">and furthermore,</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’an·šê (N-mpc) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: ham·mā·qō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">of that place</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mə·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">‘No</a> <a href="/hebrew/6948.htm" title="6948: qə·ḏê·šāh (Adj-fs) -- A female devotee. Feminine of qadesh; a female devotee.">shrine prostitute</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yə·ṯāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">has been</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: ḇā·zeh (Prep-b:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">here.’”</a> </span><span class="reftext">23</span>“Let her keep the items,” Judah replied. “Otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you could not find her.”…<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="/genesis/38-24.htm">Genesis 38:24-26</a></span><br />About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!” / As she was being brought out, Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Please examine them. Whose seal and cord and staff are these?” / 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/37-25.htm">Genesis 37:25-28</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/44-8.htm">Genesis 44:8-10</a></span><br />We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found in the mouths of our sacks. Why would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house? / If any of your servants is found to have it, he must die, and the rest will become slaves of my lord.” / “As you say,” replied the steward. “But only the one who is found with the cup will be my slave, and the rest of you shall be free of blame.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10</a></span><br />If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/22-22.htm">Deuteronomy 22:22</a></span><br />If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-5.htm">2 Samuel 12:5-7</a></span><br />David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan: “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! / Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.” / Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-13.htm">2 Samuel 12:13</a></span><br />Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-32.htm">Proverbs 6:32-33</a></span><br />He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. / Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/7-10.htm">Proverbs 7:10-12</a></span><br />Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart. / She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home. / Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-14.htm">Hosea 4:14</a></span><br />I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.<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="/matthew/5-27.htm">Matthew 5:27-28</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1-5</a></span><br />“Do not judge, or you will be judged. / For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. / Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-3.htm">John 8:3-11</a></span><br />The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them / and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. / In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-1.htm">Romans 2:1-3</a></span><br />You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. / And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. / So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/31-50.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/genesis/38-20.htm">Find</a> <a href="/genesis/38-20.htm">Found</a> <a href="/genesis/32-6.htm">Furthermore</a> <a href="/genesis/38-21.htm">Harlot</a> <a href="/genesis/38-21.htm">Hasn't</a> <a href="/genesis/38-20.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-17.htm">No</a> <a href="/genesis/38-21.htm">Prostitute</a> <a href="/genesis/38-21.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/genesis/38-21.htm">Shrine</a> <a href="/genesis/38-21.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/genesis/38-19.htm">Turneth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/46-15.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/genesis/38-23.htm">Find</a> <a href="/genesis/38-23.htm">Found</a> <a href="/exodus/3-9.htm">Furthermore</a> <a href="/genesis/38-24.htm">Harlot</a> <a href="/exodus/22-8.htm">Hasn't</a> <a href="/genesis/38-23.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-12.htm">No</a> <a href="/genesis/38-24.htm">Prostitute</a> <a href="/genesis/49-26.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Shrine</a> <a href="/judges/5-26.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/genesis/41-42.htm">Turneth</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>So Hirah returned to Judah and said,</b><br>Hirah, a friend of Judah, plays a role in the narrative by acting as a messenger. This reflects the social customs of the time, where friends or servants often conducted business or delivered messages on behalf of others. Judah, a key figure in the lineage of Israel, is depicted here in a moment of vulnerability and moral complexity, highlighting the human flaws present even in the patriarchs.<p><b>“I could not find her,</b><br>The search for the woman, Tamar, who disguised herself as a prostitute, underscores the themes of deception and misunderstanding. This phrase indicates the difficulty in locating someone who does not wish to be found, reflecting the transient and secretive nature of such encounters in ancient times. It also sets the stage for the unfolding of God's providential plan through unexpected means.<p><b>and furthermore, the men of that place said,</b><br>The involvement of the local men suggests a communal awareness and the importance of reputation within small communities. This phrase highlights the social dynamics and the role of community testimony in establishing truth or falsehood, which is a recurring theme in biblical narratives.<p><b>‘No shrine prostitute has been here.’”</b><br>The mention of a shrine prostitute connects to the Canaanite religious practices, where prostitution was sometimes part of pagan worship rituals. This cultural context contrasts with the Israelite laws and moral codes, emphasizing the tension between the Israelites and the surrounding nations. The denial by the local men adds to the narrative tension and irony, as Tamar's actions were not part of pagan worship but a strategic move to secure her rights and future within Judah's family. This incident foreshadows the eventual revelation and resolution of the situation, demonstrating God's sovereignty in using flawed human actions to fulfill His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>One of the twelve sons of Jacob, Judah is a central figure in this chapter. He is the father of the tribe of Judah, from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ are descended. In this chapter, Judah's actions and decisions are pivotal to the unfolding events.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/hirah.htm">Hirah</a></b><br>A friend of Judah, Hirah the Adullamite plays a role as a messenger and intermediary in this account. His involvement highlights the social and cultural practices of the time.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/tamar.htm">Tamar</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Tamar is a key figure in the chapter. She is Judah's daughter-in-law who disguises herself to secure her rights and future within Judah's family.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_men_of_the_place.htm">The Men of the Place</a></b><br>These are the local inhabitants who inform Hirah that there has been no shrine prostitute, indicating the misunderstanding or deception involved in the situation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_event.htm">The Event</a></b><br>The search for the supposed shrine prostitute, which is actually Tamar in disguise, is a critical event that sets the stage for the revelation of Judah's actions and the fulfillment of Tamar's plan.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_cultural_context.htm">Understanding Cultural Context</a></b><br>Recognize the cultural and legal practices of the time, such as Levirate marriage, to better understand the motivations and actions of the characters.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_deception.htm">Consequences of Deception</a></b><br>Reflect on how deception, even when seemingly justified, can lead to complex and unintended consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_imperfection.htm">God's Sovereignty in Imperfection</a></b><br>See how God can work through flawed human actions to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the lineage of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_integrity.htm">The Importance of Integrity</a></b><br>Consider the importance of maintaining integrity and fulfilling one's obligations, as Judah's initial failure to do so led to the unfolding events.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/redemption_and_restoration.htm">Redemption and Restoration</a></b><br>Note how God can bring about redemption and restoration, even from situations that seem morally and socially complex.<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/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><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/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><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><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 22.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot</span> (or <span class="accented">kedeshah</span>) <span class="cmt_word">in this place.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/38-22.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">So [Hirah] returned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֙שָׁב֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·šāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Judah</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוּדָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hū·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3063.htm">Strong's 3063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֖אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I could not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">find her,</span><br /><span class="heb">מְצָאתִ֑יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ṣā·ṯî·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and furthermore,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְגַ֨ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḡam)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the men</span><br /><span class="heb">אַנְשֵׁ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(’an·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of that place</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמָּקוֹם֙</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mā·qō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> </span><span class="str2">A standing, a spot, a condition</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָֽמְר֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘No</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">temple prostitute</span><br /><span class="heb">קְדֵשָֽׁה׃</span> <span class="translit">(qə·ḏê·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6948.htm">Strong's 6948: </a> </span><span class="str2">A female devotee</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has been</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיְתָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yə·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">here.’”</span><br /><span class="heb">בָזֶ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/38-22.htm">Genesis 38:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/38-22.htm">Genesis 38:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/38-22.htm">Genesis 38:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/38-22.htm">Genesis 38:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/38-22.htm">Genesis 38:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/38-22.htm">Genesis 38:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/38-22.htm">Genesis 38:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/38-22.htm">Genesis 38:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/38-22.htm">Genesis 38:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/38-22.htm">Genesis 38:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/38-22.htm">OT Law: Genesis 38:22 He returned to Judah and said (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/38-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 38:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/38-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 38:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:23" /></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>