Darby Translation NotesGenesis 38

1:1 God (a-4) Heb. Elohim, the plural of Eloah, 'the Supreme'. It is Deity in the absolute sense. Elohim will, in the text, appear only in the name of Jehovah Elohim; moreover, when Elohim following immediately on Jehovah has a grammatical adjunct, its place will be taken by the English word 'God'. see Gen. 9.26 and 24.7. Other Hebrew divine names translated as 'God' will be indicated as follows. Eloah +God; El, (meaning 'The Mighty,' see Gen. 14.18), *God. For the meaning of Jehovah, (Heb. Yahveh, or Yehveh), the ever-existing One, see Ex. 3.14,15; Isa. 40.28. For Jah, the existing One objectively, see Ex. 15.2; Ps. 68.4. The name seems to express absolute rather than continuous existence. For Adonai (a name of God, not merely a title), translated 'Lord', see Ezek. 2.4.

38:18 lace, (a-17) Or chain by which the signet hung from the neck. so ver. 25.

38:21 prostitute (b-13) Strictly 'a woman consecrated [to the idol Astarte].'

38:29 Pherez. (c-36) Breach.

38:30 Zerah. (d-19) Rising (Isa. 60.3).