Genesis 38:19
Genesis 38:19 in Multiple Translations
Then Tamar got up and departed. And she removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments again.
And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
And she arose, and went away, and put off her veil from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
Then she got up and went away and took off her veil and put on her widow's clothing.
She left, went home, took off her veil, and put on her widow's clothes.
Then she rose, and went and put her vaile from her and put on her widowes raiment.
and she riseth, and goeth, and turneth aside her vail from off her, and putteth on the garments of her widowhood.
She arose, and went away, and put off her veil from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
And she arose and went her way and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
And she arose and went her way: and putting off the apparel which she had taken, put on the garments of her widowhood.
After she left, she took off the veil and put her widow’s clothes on again.
Then Tamar left that place, and she went home. She took off the scarf that was over her head, and she took off those pretty clothes, and she put on her widow’s clothes again.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 38:19
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 38:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תָּ֣קָם
וַ/תֵּ֔לֶךְ
וַ/תָּ֥סַר
צְעִיפָ֖/הּ
מֵ/עָלֶ֑י/הָ
וַ/תִּלְבַּ֖שׁ
בִּגְדֵ֥י
אַלְמְנוּתָֽ/הּ
וַ/תָּ֣קָם
qûwm
H6965
-kamai
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
וַ/תֵּ֔לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
וַ/תָּ֥סַר
çûwr
H5493
to turn aside
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3fs
צְעִיפָ֖/הּ
tsâʻîyph
H6809
shawl
N-ms | Suff
מֵ/עָלֶ֑י/הָ
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Prep | Suff
וַ/תִּלְבַּ֖שׁ
lâbash
H3847
to clothe
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
בִּגְדֵ֥י
beged
H899
treachery
N-mp
אַלְמְנוּתָֽ/הּ
ʼalmânûwth
H491
widowhood
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 38:19
וַ/תָּ֣קָם
qûwm
H6965
"-kamai"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.
Definition: Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B) § -Kamai = "my adversary" Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
Usage: Occurs in 596 OT verses. KJV: abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). See also: Genesis 4:8; Numbers 30:13; Ruth 4:10.
וַ/תֵּ֔לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
וַ/תָּ֥סַר
çûwr
H5493
"to turn aside"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3fs
To turn aside or remove is the meaning of this verb, used in various forms throughout the Bible. It can mean to depart, avoid, or put something away, and is often used in the context of turning away from sin or wrongdoing, as seen in the actions of prophets and leaders in the Old Testament.
Definition: : remove 1) to turn aside, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn aside, turn in unto 1a2) to depart, depart from way, avoid 1a3) to be removed 1a4) to come to an end 1b) (Polel) to turn aside 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to turn aside, cause to depart, remove, take away, put away, depose 1c2) to put aside, leave undone, retract, reject, abolish 1d) (Hophal) to be taken away, be removed
Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), [idiom] grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, [idiom] be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without. See also: Genesis 8:13; 2 Samuel 6:10; Psalms 6:9.
צְעִיפָ֖/הּ
tsâʻîyph
H6809
"shawl"
N-ms | Suff
A shawl or veil, this word describes a piece of clothing used to cover or wrap oneself. The King James Version translates it as vail, emphasizing its use as a covering or wrapper. In biblical times, it was a common article of clothing.
Definition: wrapper, shawl, veil
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: vail. See also: Genesis 24:65; Genesis 38:14; Genesis 38:19.
מֵ/עָלֶ֑י/הָ
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
וַ/תִּלְבַּ֖שׁ
lâbash
H3847
"to clothe"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
To clothe means to wrap something around or put on a garment. In the Bible, it can be used literally or figuratively, as in putting on clothes or being clothed with a certain attitude.
Definition: 1) to dress, wear, clothe, put on clothing, be clothed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put on clothes, be clothed, wear 1a2) to put on, be clothed with (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to be fully clothed 1c) (Hiphil) to clothe, array with, dress Aramaic equivalent: le.vash (לְבֵשׁ "to clothe" H3848)
Usage: Occurs in 102 OT verses. KJV: (in) apparel, arm, array (self), clothe (self), come upon, put (on, upon), wear. See also: Genesis 3:21; Job 27:17; Psalms 35:26.
בִּגְדֵ֥י
beged
H899
"treachery"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word refers to clothing or a covering, like a garment or robe. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus, describing what people wore. The word is often translated as 'apparel' or 'raiment'.
Definition: treachery, deceit
Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe. See also: Genesis 24:53; Judges 17:10; Psalms 22:19.
אַלְמְנוּתָֽ/הּ
ʼalmânûwth
H491
"widowhood"
N-fs | Suff
This word refers to the state of being a widow, like the widow in 1 Kings who helped Elijah. It describes a woman who has lost her husband, often leaving her without support or protection. In the Bible, God cares for widows.
Definition: widowhood
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: widow, widowhood. See also: Genesis 38:14; 2 Samuel 20:3; Isaiah 54:4.
Study Notes — Genesis 38:19
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Judah and Tamar
17“I will send you a young goat from my flock,” Judah answered. But she replied, “Only if you leave me something as a pledge until you send it.”
18“What pledge should I give you?” he asked. She answered, “Your seal and your cord, and the staff in your hand.” So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him.
19Then Tamar got up and departed. And she removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments again.
20Now when Judah sent his friend Hirah the Adullamite with the young goat to collect the items he had left with the woman, he could not find her. 21He asked the men of that place, “Where is the shrine prostitute who was beside the road at Enaim?” “No shrine prostitute has been here,” they answered.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 38:14 | she removed her widow’s garments, covered her face with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that although Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 14:5 | “What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 14:2 | So Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Please pretend to be a mourner; put on clothes for mourning and do not anoint yourself with oil. Act like a woman who has mourned for the dead a long time. |
Genesis 38:19 Summary
In Genesis 38:19, Tamar removes her veil and puts on her widow's garments again, signifying the end of her encounter with Judah and her return to her normal life. This verse shows that Tamar was a clever and determined woman who took initiative to achieve her goals, much like the woman in Proverbs 31:26. As we reflect on this verse, we can learn to trust in God's sovereignty, even in uncertain circumstances, and to use our circumstances to bring about a positive outcome, just like Tamar did. By removing her veil, Tamar was able to return to her true self and move forward, and we can do the same by being honest and authentic, as seen in Psalm 51:6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Tamar remove her veil and put on her widow's garments again?
Tamar removed her veil and put on her widow's garments again to resume her normal life after her encounter with Judah, as seen in Genesis 38:19, indicating she was no longer pretending to be a shrine prostitute, and this action is a testament to her cleverness in achieving her goal, much like the wisdom of the woman in Proverbs 31:26.
What can we learn from Tamar's actions in this verse?
We can learn from Tamar's actions that she was a woman who took initiative and was determined to have children, as seen in Genesis 38:19, and her actions, although deceptive, ultimately led to the fulfillment of God's plan, as seen in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:3.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the story in Genesis 38?
This verse is a turning point in the story, as it marks the end of Tamar's encounter with Judah and the beginning of the search for her, as seen in Genesis 38:20-21, and it sets the stage for the revelation of Tamar's pregnancy and Judah's subsequent response in Genesis 38:24-26.
What does Tamar's removal of her veil signify?
Tamar's removal of her veil signifies the end of her disguise as a shrine prostitute and her return to her normal life as a widow, as seen in Genesis 38:19, and it may also symbolize her return to a more righteous path, as the veil was a symbol of her deception, similar to the way that Adam and Eve hid behind fig leaves in Genesis 3:7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, like Tamar, can take initiative to achieve my goals and fulfill God's plan for my life?
- How can I, like Tamar, use my circumstances to bring about a positive outcome, even if it requires creative problem-solving?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be 'wearing a veil' or hiding behind a disguise, and how can I remove it and be my true self?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty, like Tamar did, even when my circumstances seem uncertain or challenging?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 38:19
And she arose and went away,.... To her father's house immediately, as soon as ever she had parted with Judah; and lest she should be found by the person that would be sent with the kid, and be
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 38:19
And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood. And she arose, and went away.