Genesis 38:25-30 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 38:24-30

Here is, I. Judah's rigour against Tamar, when he heard she was an adulteress. She was, in the eye of the law, Shelah's wife, and therefore her being with child by another was looked upon as an injury and reproach to Judah's family: Bring her forth therefore, says Judah, the master of the family, and let her be burnt; not burnt to death, but burnt in the cheek or forehead, stigmatized for a harlot. This seems probable, Gen. 38:24. Note, it is a common thing for men to be severe against those... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:25

When she was brought forth ,.... From her father's house, not to the place of execution, or in order to be burnt, but to the court of judicature, in order to take tier trial: she sent to her father in law, saying, by the man whose these are , am I with child; she sent a messenger to him, and by him the signet, bracelets, and staff, be they what they may, she had received from him as a pledge for the kid he promised her; and ordered the messenger to say, at the same time he showed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:26

And Judah acknowledged them ,.... He knew them, and owned them to be his: and said, she hath been more righteous than I ; he means, not with respect to the sin of uncleanness committed by them, in which she was the greatest criminal; she sat not only in the way to tempt him to it, but she knew who he was, and wilfully committed incest with him; whereas he thought and knew of nothing else but simple fornication; but with respect to the affairs in connection between them: she had on her... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:27

And it came to pass in the time of her travail ,.... When her time to bring forth was come, and her pains were on her, and her midwife with her: that, behold, twins were in her womb ; which the midwife could discover before the birth of either. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:28

And it came to pass when she travailed ,.... Her birth throes came strong and quick upon her: that the one put out his hand ; which showed that she was like to have a difficult and dangerous time of it; that the birth was not like to be according to the usual and natural order, which may be considered as a correction for her sin: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying , this came out first ; she tied this to his wrist, that she might know whose... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:29

And it came to pass as he drew back his hand ,.... Into the "uterus" again: that, behold, his brother came out ; out of his mother's womb, and so was properly born first: and she said ; either Tamar, or rather, her midwife: how hast thou broken forth ? it was astonishing to her how it could be, having never met with the like in her practice before; she could not imagine how it was possible for him to come forth first, when his brother lay in the way of him, and nearest the birth,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:30

And afterward came out his brother that had the scarlet thread upon his hand ,.... By which it was known that he so far came out first; which confirms the remarkable birth of his brother, who notwithstanding got the start of him: and his name was called Zarah ; not from "rising", or his coming forth like the rising sun, as is usually observed; but rather from his return, or drawing back his hand, and as it were returning to his mother's womb; and so, according to Hillerus F12 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 38:25

The signet - חתמת chothemeth , properly a seal, or instrument with which impressions were made to ascertain property, etc. These exist in all countries. Bracelets - פתילים pethilim , from פתל pathal , to twist, wreathe, twine, may signify a girdle or a collar by which precedency, etc., might be indicated; not the muslin, silk, or linen wreath of his turban, as Mr. Harmer has conjectured. Staff - מטה matteh , either what we would call a common walking stick, or the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 38:26

She hath been more righteous than I - It is probable that Tamar was influenced by no other motive than that which was common to all the Israelitish women, the desire to have children who might be heirs of the promise made to Abraham, etc. And as Judah had obliged her to continue in her widowhood under the promise of giving her his son Shelah when he should be of age, consequently his refusing or delaying to accomplish this promise was a breach of truth, and an injury done to Tamar. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 38:28

The midwife - bound upon his hand a scarlet thread - The binding of the scarlet thread about the wrist of the child whose arm appeared first in the birth, serves to show us how solicitously the privileges of the birthright were preserved. Had not this caution been taken by the midwife, Pharez would have had the right of primogeniture to the prejudice of his elder brother Zarah. And yet Pharez is usually reckoned in the genealogical tables before Zarah; and from him, not Zarah, does the line... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 38:24-30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:28

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:29

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 38:30

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 38:25

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 38:26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 38:28

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