Genesis 38:5-15
New American Standard Bible
5 She gave birth to yet another son and named him (A)Shelah; and it was at Chezib [a]that she gave birth to him.
6 Now Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7 But (B)Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord took his life. 8 Then Judah said to Onan, “(C)Have relations with your brother’s wife and perform your duty as a brother-in-law to her, and raise up a [b]child for your brother.” 9 Now Onan knew that the [c](D)child would not be his; so when he had relations with his brother’s wife, he [d]wasted his seed on the ground so that he would not give [e]a child to his brother. 10 But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord; so He (E)took his life also. 11 Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “(F)Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”; for he [f]thought, “I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.
12 Now [g]after a considerable time Shua’s daughter, the wife of Judah, died; and when [h]the time of mourning was ended, Judah went up to his sheepshearers at (G)Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. 13 And Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to (H)Timnah to shear his sheep.” 14 So she [i]removed her widow’s garments and (I)covered herself with a [j]veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of [k]Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and (J)she had not been given to him as a wife. 15 When Judah saw her, he assumed she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Genesis 38:5 Lit when
- Genesis 38:8 Lit seed
- Genesis 38:9 Lit seed
- Genesis 38:9 Lit spilled on the ground
- Genesis 38:9 Lit seed
- Genesis 38:11 Lit said
- Genesis 38:12 Lit the days became many and
- Genesis 38:12 Lit Judah was comforted, he
- Genesis 38:14 Lit removed from herself
- Genesis 38:14 Or shawl
- Genesis 38:14 In Josh 15:34, Enam
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