Scripture Daily

Context No. 127 of 4322 · Genesis

Context · Reflection

Genesis 38:22-30: in context

22He returned to Judah, and said, “I haven’t found her; and also the men of the place said, ‘There has been no prostitute here.’” 23Judah said, “Let her keep it, lest we be shamed. Behold, I sent this young goat, and you haven’t found her.” 24About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute. Moreover, behold, she is with child by prostitution.” Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.” 25When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man who owns these.” She also said, “Please discern whose these are—the signet, and the cords, and the staff.” 26Judah acknowledged them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son.” He knew her again no more. 27In the time of her travail, behold, twins were in her womb. 28When she travailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This came out first.” 29As he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out, and she said, “Why have you made a breach for yourself?” Therefore his name was called Perez. 30Afterward his brother came out, who had the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.

Genesis interrupts the Joseph story for a chapter about Judah. He had married off his son to Tamar, the son died, the second son also died after refusing to father a child in his brother's name, and Judah sent Tamar back to her father's house rather than give her his third son as the law required. She had no husband, no children, and no way to get either.

So she covered her face, sat by the road, and Judah, not recognizing her, hired her, leaving his seal, cord, and staff as a pledge. This passage is the aftermath. His friend cannot find the woman to redeem the pledge, and Judah decides to drop it rather than be laughed at. Three months later he is told Tamar is pregnant by prostitution, and his judgment is instant: bring her out and let her be burned.

Then she sends him his own seal, cord, and staff, with a message: the man who owns these is the father. Judah's answer is the turn of the chapter. She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son. He says it publicly and he does not touch her again. Tamar's twin sons enter the line that runs to David, and Matthew names her in the genealogy of Jesus. When I have been shown the evidence that I was the one in the wrong, do I say it out loud, or manage it quietly?

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