Genesis 38:12-16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 38:12-23

It is a very ill-favoured story that is here told concerning Judah; one would not have expected such folly in Israel. Judah had buried his wife; and widowers have need to stand upon their guard with the utmost caution and resolution against all fleshly lusts. He was unjust to his daughter-in-law, either through negligence or design, in not giving her his surviving son, and this exposed her to temptation. I. Tamar wickedly prostituted herself as a harlot to Judah, that, if the son might not,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:12

And in process of time the daughter of Shuah, Judah's wife , died ,.... Shuah was his wife's father, who was a Canaanite, Genesis 38:2 ; what her name was is not certain, nor the exact time of her death; it was some time after Tamar was sent home to her father's house; and some take the death of Judah's wife to be a correction and reproof to him for his ill usage of his daughter-in-law, in neglecting to give her to his son, or not designing to do it at all: and Judah was comforted ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:13

And it was told Tamar ,.... By some of her neighbours, or by some of Judah's family: saying, behold, thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep ; which might be told her as an indifferent thing, without any design in it; but she took notice of it, and it gave her an opportunity she wanted. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:14

And she put her widow's garments off from her ,.... By which it appears that in those times and countries it was usual for widows to have a different apparel from others, especially in the time of their mourning, as it has been since in other nations, and with us at this day, and which is commonly called "the widow's weed": and covered herself with a veil, and wrapped herself ; in it, or in a cloak, or some such like garment, which the Arabs now call "hykes"; this she did that she might... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:15

When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot ,.... By her posture and the place she was in: because she had covered her face ; with her veil, that he did not know her; for this is not given as a reason why he took her to be an harlot; the reason of this was, because she sat in the public road; but having covered her face he could not discern who she was, and therefore, from the other circumstance, concluded that she was an harlot, and sat there to prostitute herself to any that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:16

And he turned unto her by the way ,.... Which led to her; he turned out of the way in which he was to that where she sat; and very probably it was at some little distance from the way, and therefore he turned aside to it, his lust towards her being excited at the sight of her; perhaps he left his friend Hirah the Adullamite, and sent him on his way, while he committed the following crime: and said, go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee ; that is, lie with her: for he knew not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 38:12

In process of time - This phrase, which is in general use in the Bible, needs explanation; the original is הימים וירבו vaiyirbu haiyamim , and the days were multiplied. Though it implies an indefinite time, yet it generally embraces a pretty long period, and in this place may mean several years. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 38:15

Thought her to be a harlot - See the original of this term, Genesis 34:31 ; (note). The Hebrew is זונה zonah , and signifies generally a person who prostitutes herself to the public for hire, or one who lives by the public; and hence very likely applied to a publican, a tavern-keeper, or hostess, Joshua 2:1 ; translated by the Septuagint, and in the New Testament, πορνη , from περναω , to sell, which certainly may as well apply to her goods as to her person. It appears that in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 38:13

Verse 13 13.And it was told Tamar. Moses relates how Tamer avenged herself for the injury done her. She did not at first perceive the fraud, but discovered it after a long course of time. When Shelah had grown up, finding herself deceived, she turned her thoughts to revenge. And it is not to be doubted that she had long meditated, and, as it were, hatched this design. For the message respecting Judah’s departure was not brought to her accidentally; but, because she was intent upon her purpose,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 38:14

Verse 14 14.And sat in an open place (140) Interpreters expound this passage variously. Literally, it is “in the door of fountains, or of eyes.” Some suppose there was a fountain which branched into two streams; others think that a broad place is indicated, in which the eyes may look around in all directions. But a third exposition is more worthy of reception; namely, that by this expression is meant a way which is forked and divided into two; because then, as it were, a door is opened before... read more

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