Genesis 38 - Summary

Historical setting

This chapter stands alone within the Joseph narrative. While Judah separates from his brothers and their immediate situation (verse 1), the wider context is that Jacob's family is in Canaan, the land promised to Abraham's descendants. Judah takes up residence among Canaanites and marries into their people, an unusual step for one of the patriarchal line. The political and military details are absent; the focus is entirely domestic and family.

Life and customs

A widow in this period had no automatic means of support. The custom known as levirate obligation required a brother of the deceased husband to marry the widow and produce an heir, so that the dead man's name and property would continue through his family line rather than pass elsewhere. This protected the widow and preserved family holdings. A widow waiting for a young brother-in-law to grow up would remain in her father's house, as Tamar does in verse 11, in a state of dependence. A widow's distinctive garment (verses 14, 19) marked her status publicly. Pledges of personal items such as a signet (a seal used to authorize documents), bracelets, and staff served as security in transactions when goods could not be exchanged immediately.

What the text says

Judah marries Shuah, a Canaanite woman, and they have three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah (verses 1-5). Judah arranges for his firstborn Er to marry Tamar (verse 6), but "Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD" and the LORD kills him (verse 7). Judah orders Onan to fulfill the levirate duty and marry Tamar to raise up an heir for Er (verse 8), but Onan prevents conception deliberately when he "went in unto" her (verse 9), and the LORD kills him too (verse 10). Judah tells Tamar to remain a widow at her father's house until Shelah grows up, fearing he will also die (verse 11).

Later, when Judah's wife dies and he is traveling to shearing time at Timnath, Tamar learns of it (verses 12-13). She removes her widow's garments, veils herself, and sits by the roadside where Judah will pass (verse 14). Judah sees her, does not recognize her, and propositions her as a prostitute (verses 15-16). She asks what payment he will give; he offers a kid from the flock (verse 17). She demands a pledge: his signet, bracelets, and staff (verse 18). He gives them and lies with her, and she conceives (verse 18).

Tamar then puts her widow's clothes back on and leaves (verse 19). When Judah sends his friend Hirah to recover the pledge with payment, the man cannot find her; locals say no prostitute has been there (verses 20-22). Judah decides to let the matter drop "lest we be shamed" (verse 23).

Three months later, Judah hears that Tamar "hath played the harlot" and is pregnant by "whoredom" (verse 24). He orders her brought out and burned (verse 24). She sends him the signet, bracelets, and staff, asking him to identify them (verse 25). Judah acknowledges them and says "She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son" (verse 26). He "knew her again no more" (verse 26).

Tamar bears twins (verses 27-30). During labor one puts out his hand; the midwife ties a scarlet thread on it, thinking he comes first (verse 28). His hand draws back and his brother comes out first; the midwife marks this unusual breach (verse 29). The first-born, with the scarlet thread, is called Zarah; the other, who emerged first, is called Pharez (verses 29-30).

Takeaways

• Tamar uses deception as the only means available to her to claim the protection owed to her by levirate law.
• Judah's judgment on Tamar collapses when he realizes his own failure to fulfill his obligation to her is the greater wrong.
• Pharez, born of this union, appears in the genealogy leading to King David.