Chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Genesis 38:24
ESV About three months later Judah was told, "Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality." And Judah said, "Bring her out, and let her be burned."
NIV About three months later Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant." Judah said, "Bring her out and have her burned to death!"
NASB Now it was about three months later that Judah was informed, 'Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and behold, she is also pregnant by prostitution.' Then Judah said, 'Bring her out and have her burned!'
CSB About three months later Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law, Tamar, has been acting like a prostitute, and now she is pregnant." "Bring her out," Judah said, "and let her be burned to death!"
NLT About three months later, Judah was told, 'Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has acted like a prostitute. And now, because of this, she’s pregnant.' 'Bring her out, and let her be burned!' Judah demanded.
KJV And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
NKJV And it came to pass, about three months after, that Judah was told, saying, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has played the harlot; furthermore she is with child by harlotry.” So Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned!”

What does Genesis 38:24 mean?

Judah's daughter-in-law tricked him. She knew where and when he'd be traveling along a certain road (Genesis 38:14), and she positioned herself there, veiled as a prostitute, and seduced him (Genesis 38:18). She accepted his staff, signet, and cord as a pledge for later payment, then disappeared back home. Because of her veil, Judah never knew she was the widow of his two deceased sons whom he had promised to marry to his third son (Genesis 38:11). It was the realization that Judah's promise was a lie (Genesis 38:14) which drove Tamar to concoct her scheme.

Tamar conceived that day. From her perspective, this was the best possible outcome. Twice widowed and childless, her only prospect had been marriage to Judah's son Shelah. Now, however, she is expecting children and has powerful evidence to ensure support from the father (Genesis 38:25).

So far as Judah and the others know, Tamar is betrothed to Shelah, but living in her father's home (Genesis 38:11). News that she is pregnant raises natural questions. The conclusion—which is not incorrect—is that she's committed an act of sexual immorality. This news comes to Judah, who is incensed. Tamar is still promised to be married to Judah's son Shelah, so she would be considered guilty of a serious sin no matter how she became pregnant.

Judah's response is swift and final: Burn her to death. Customs of the time, as well as God's later law for the Israelites, would call for the death penalty in cases of adultery (Leviticus 20:10). This is remarkably hypocritical on Judah's part, as he himself is guilty of sexual immorality—he does not yet know he is the man with whom Tamar committed sin!

The sentence of death by burning, as well, is extreme. Whether Judah had enough authority to make that happen, or not, he seems to think the situation reflects poorly on him as her father-in-law. Tamar's response will expose that hypocrisy in no uncertain terms (Genesis 38:25).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app:
BibleRef.com is part of Got Questions Ministries

For answers to your Bible questions, please visit