Genesis 38:1

TAMAR CONTINUES THE MESSIANIC LINE

"And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah."

"At that time..." From this, some have concluded that all of the following incidents occurred shortly after the sale of Joseph into Egypt, just related. Keil reached this conclusion, as did also Willis; but we have concluded that such a conclusion is not necessary. As Speiser said, "The Hebrew phrase here is formulaic."[9] and thus used merely as an introductory remark. We agree with Skinner (without accepting his reasons) that, "We cannot tell when or where the separation took place."[10] Whitelaw has fully discussed the chronological problems involved in any effort to nail down any firm placement, as to time, when these events happened.