What does Genesis 38:11 mean?
Two of Judah's three sons with his Canaanite wife (Genesis 38:2–5) have been put to death by God for their wickedness (Genesis 38:7–10). When Er, the oldest, died, his brother Onan was forced to marry Er's wife Tamar. Now Onan has also been put to death by the Lord, leaving Tamar a widow once more. Neither situation was Tamar's fault, yet she is now childless and unmarried, with little hope of finding a husband.The same tradition that applied when Tamar married Onan would indicate that Shelah, Judah's next—and last—son would take on the role of husband to provide Tamar with children. Scripture does not say how old Shelah is. Apparently, he's young enough that Judah's excuse seems plausible.
Claiming Shelah is too young is, however, just that: a temporary excuse. In truth, Judah seems to blame Tamar for the deaths of his two oldest sons. He might see her as bad luck, or think she was responsible for his sons' poor decisions. For now, he tells her to go back home to her own father—taking responsibility for her out of Judah's family—and wait for Shelah to mature. The following verses reveal that Judah never intended to complete the marriage between Tamar and Shelah (Genesis 38:14).