Genesis 38

Judah and Tamar

1And it came about at that time, that Judah 1departed from his brothers and 2visited a certain 3Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. 2Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was 4Shua; and he took her as a wife and had relations with her. 3And she conceived and gave birth to a son, and he named him 5Er. 4Then she conceived again and gave birth to a son, and she named him 6Onan. 5She gave birth to yet another son and named him 7Shelah; and it was at Chezib 8that she gave birth to him.

6Now Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7But 9Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord took his life. 8Then Judah said to Onan, “10Have relations with your brother’s wife and perform your duty as a brother-in-law to her, and raise up a 11child for your brother.” 9Now Onan knew that the 1213child would not be his; so when he had relations with his brother’s wife, he 14wasted his seed on the ground so that he would not give 15a child to his brother. 10But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord; so He 16took his life also. 11Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “17Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”; for he 18thought, “I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.

12Now 19after a considerable time Shua’s daughter, the wife of Judah, died; and when 20the time of mourning was ended, Judah went up to his sheepshearers at 21Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. 13And Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to 22Timnah to shear his sheep.” 14So she 23removed her widow’s garments and 24covered herself with a 25veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of 26Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and 27she had not been given to him as a wife. 15When Judah saw her, he assumed she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. 16So he turned aside to her by the road, and said, “28Here now, let me have relations with you”; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, “What will you give me, that you may have relations with me?” 17He said, therefore, “I will send you a 29young goat from the flock.” She then said, “Will you give a pledge until you send it?” 18He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” And she said, “30Your seal and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and had relations with her, and she conceived by him. 19Then she got up and departed, and 31removed her 32veil and put on her widow’s garments.

20When Judah sent the 33young goat by his friend the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman’s hand, he did not find her. 21He asked the people of her place, saying, “Where is the temple prostitute who was by the road at Enaim?” But they said, “There has been no temple prostitute here.” 22So he returned to Judah, and said, “I did not find her; and furthermore, the people of the place said, ‘There has been no temple prostitute here.’” 23Then Judah said, “Let her 34keep them, otherwise we will become a laughingstock. 35After all, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her.”

24Now it was about three months later that Judah was 36informed, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and behold, she is also pregnant by prostitution.” Then Judah said, “Bring her out and 37have her burned!” 25It was while she was being brought out that she sent word to her father-in-law, saying, “I am pregnant by the man to whom these things belong.” She also said, “38Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?” 26And Judah recognized them, and said, “39She is more righteous than I, since 40I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not 41have relations with her again.

27It came about at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were 42twins in her womb. 28Moreover, it took place while she was giving birth, that one baby put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” 29But it came about as he drew back his hand that behold, his brother came out. Then she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” So he was named 4344Perez. 30Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand; and he was named 4546Zerah.