Genesis 38:6-30

6Now Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7But 1Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord took his life. 8Then Judah said to Onan, “2Have relations with your brother’s wife and perform your duty as a brother-in-law to her, and raise up a 3child for your brother.” 9Now Onan knew that the 45child would not be his; so when he had relations with his brother’s wife, he 6wasted his seed on the ground so that he would not give 7a child to his brother. 10But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord; so He 8took his life also. 11Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “9Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”; for he 10thought, “I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.

12Now 11after a considerable time Shua’s daughter, the wife of Judah, died; and when 12the time of mourning was ended, Judah went up to his sheepshearers at 13Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. 13And Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to 14Timnah to shear his sheep.” 14So she 15removed her widow’s garments and 16covered herself with a 17veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of 18Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah had grown up, and 19she 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, “20Here 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 21young 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, “22Your 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 23removed her 24veil and put on her widow’s garments.

20When Judah sent the 25young 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 26keep them, otherwise we will become a laughingstock. 27After all, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her.”

24Now it was about three months later that Judah was 28informed, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and behold, she is also pregnant by prostitution.” Then Judah said, “Bring her out and 29have 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, “30Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?” 26And Judah recognized them, and said, “31She is more righteous than I, since 32I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not 33have relations with her again.

27It came about at the time she was giving birth, that behold, there were 34twins 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 3536Perez. 30Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand; and he was named 3738Zerah.