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Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 38:18

Genesis 38:18. Thy signet, and thy bracelets, &c.— By the signet is meant the ring wherewith he sealed. The word rendered bracelets signifies wreaths for the arm or neck, twisted collars, or bracelets. So the Latin torques, from torqueo, to twist. Aquila and Symmachus, who render it by στρεπτον from στρεφω, to turn or twist, preserve the idea. See Parkhurst's Lexicon. REFLECTIONS.—They who have not the gift of continence should marry. We have here a shocking instance of the danger of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 38:18

18. signet, c.—Bracelets, including armlets, were worn by men as well as women among the Hebrews. But the Hebrew word here rendered "bracelets," is everywhere else translated "lace" or "ribbon" so that as the signet alone was probably more than an equivalent for the kid, it is not easy to conjecture why the other things were given in addition, except by supposing the perforated seal was attached by a ribbon to the staff. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 38:12-30

When Judah deceived Jacob (Genesis 37:31-32), a goat and an item of clothing featured in the trick, and here a goat and an item of clothing again figure in Tamar’s deception of Judah. Tamar’s strategy for obtaining her right was not commendable. She played the role of a common whore (Heb. zona). Judah’s Canaanite friend described her as a shrine prostitute later (Genesis 38:21, Heb. qedesa), but he probably said this to elevate her social status in the eyes of the other men he was addressing.... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 38:1-30

The History of JudahThe sins recorded in this chapter testify eloquently to the great need the world had of the Greatest of the descendants of Judah, who came to teach the virtue of purity and the sanctity of family life. The honesty and truthfulness of the historian are shown in his not concealing the dark spots in the history of Judah, whose descendants attained to such greatness. The direct purpose of the narrative is to show the ancestry of David, who was descended from Pharez the son of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 38:18

(18) Thy bracelets.—Heb., thy cord. The art of engraving was probably not advanced enough among these nomads to permit them to engrave gems small enough to wear in a ring. Judah evidently suspended his signet round his neck by a cord; and this custom still exists among the Arabs, of whom some wear signet rings, while others hang them round their necks. Probably each man of distinction had his emblem, and in Genesis 49:0 Jacob seems to refer to them. Thus Judah’s emblem was a lion, Zebulun’s a... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 38:1-30

CHAPTER 38 Judah and Tamar 1. Judah’s marriage to the Canaanitish woman (Genesis 38:1-2 ) 2. His sons: Er, Onan and Shelah (Genesis 38:3-5 ) 3. Tamar married to Er and Onan (Genesis 38:6-10 ) 4. Tamar waiting for Shelah (Genesis 38:11 ) 5. Her deception and Judah’s sin (Genesis 38:12-16 ) 6. The birth of Pharez and Zarah (Genesis 38:27-30 ) Historically this chapter comes before the thirty-seventh. The higher critics are one against the other in their unbelieving speculations over... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 38:1-30

The story of Joseph is interrupted in this chapter to expose the shamefulness of an important part of Judah's history. We have seen that Judah took the lead in selling Joseph as a slave. In fact, in every relationship of Judah his shame and dishonor is evident. He sold his brother, he deceived his father, he married a Canaanite wife, he had both his sons killed by the Lord for wickedness, he deceived his daughter-in-law when promising his son Shelah to her, then had two sons by the same... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:1-30

JOSEPH ’S HISTORY DISPENSATIONAL ASPECT OF JACOB’S HISTORY Following F.W. Grant in the Numerical Bible, the life of Jacob gives as its lesson the story of that discipline by which the Spirit of God brings us from weakness to power, from nature’s strength to that wholesome weakness in which alone is strength. But for this, natural strength must be crippled, which is provided for in two ways: in allowing us to realize the power of another nature (Esau) and in the direct dealing of God with our... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 38:17-21

I wish the same answer could be made of many a place now. read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:18

Staff. These were all marks of dignity. "Kings made use of spears, or sceptres, before they wore a diadem." (Trogus. 43.) (Calmet) --- Juda might blame himself for exposing these valuable things, and divesting himself of all his dignity, to gratify his unjustifiable passion. If some have excused both the parties concerned, the Scripture at least sufficiently shews in what light we ought to consider their conduct. Juda himself thought her worthy of death; though in some sense, she was juster... read more

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