Genesis 38:20

Genesis 38:20 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Now 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.

King James Version KJV

And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman’s hand: but he found her not.

American Standard Version ASV

And Judah sent the kid of the goats by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman’s hand: but he found her not.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then Judah sent his friend Hirah with the young goat, to get back the things which he had given as a sign to the woman: but she was not there.

Free Bible Version FBV

Judah sent his friend Hirah from Adullam with a young goat to get back his belongings he'd left as a guarantee from the woman, but he couldn't find her.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Afterwarde Iudah sent a kid of the goates by the hande of his neighbour the Adullamite, for to receiue his pledge from the womans hand: but he found her not.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And Judah sendeth the kid of the goats by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the hand of the woman, and he hath not found her.

World English Bible WEB

Judah sent the young goat by the hand of his friend, the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman’s hand, but he didn’t find her.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand: but he found her not.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And Juda sent a kid by his shepherd, the Odollamite, that he might receive the pledge again, which he had given to the woman: but he, not finding her,

Translation for Translators T4T

Judah gave a young goat to his friend from Adullam, for him to take back to the woman, as he had promised. But his friend could not find the woman.

Plain English Version PEV

Judah talked to his friend Hirah, and he said, “Take one of my young goats, and give it to that woman that I slept with. Then tell her to give back my necklace with my special stamp on it, and my walking stick.” So Hirah took that young goat, and he went to look for that woman, but he didn’t find her.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 38:20

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

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 38:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֨ח יְהוּדָ֜ה אֶת גְּדִ֣י הָֽ/עִזִּ֗ים בְּ/יַד֙ רֵעֵ֣/הוּ הָֽ/עֲדֻלָּמִ֔י לָ/קַ֥חַת הָ/עֵרָב֖וֹן מִ/יַּ֣ד הָ/אִשָּׁ֑ה וְ/לֹ֖א מְצָאָֽ/הּ

וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֨ח shâlach H7971 to send Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

יְהוּדָ֜ה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 Judah N-proper

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

גְּדִ֣י gᵉdîy H1423 kid N-ms

הָֽ/עִזִּ֗ים ʻêz H5795 goat Art | N-fp

בְּ/יַד֙ yâd H3027 hand Prep | N-cs

רֵעֵ֣/הוּ rêaʻ H7453 neighbor N-ms | Suff

הָֽ/עֲדֻלָּמִ֔י ʻĂdullâmîy H5726 Adullamite Art | Ngmsa

לָ/קַ֥חַת lâqach H3947 to take Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

הָ/עֵרָב֖וֹן ʻărâbôwn H6162 pledge Art | N-ms

מִ/יַּ֣ד yâd H3027 hand Prep | N-cs

הָ/אִשָּׁ֑ה ʼishshâh H802 woman Art | N-fs

וְ/לֹ֖א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

מְצָאָֽ/הּ mâtsâʼ H4672 to find V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 38:20

וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֨ח shâlach H7971 "to send" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.

Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send

Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.

יְהוּדָ֜ה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 "Judah" N-proper

Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.

Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob

Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

גְּדִ֣י gᵉdîy H1423 "kid" N-ms

A young goat, often referred to as a kid, is a juvenile goat in the Bible. This word is used to describe a goat that is still young and developing. It appears in various contexts, including biblical descriptions of animals.

Definition: kid, young male goat

Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: kid. See also: Genesis 27:9; Judges 6:19; Isaiah 11:6.

הָֽ/עִזִּ֗ים ʻêz H5795 "goat" Art | N-fp

Refers to a female goat, often translated as she-goat or kid, and is also related to goat's hair in the Bible.

Definition: female goat, she-goat, goat, kid Aramaic equivalent: ez (עֵז "goat" H5796)

Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: (she) goat, kid. See also: Genesis 15:9; Numbers 7:58; Proverbs 27:27.

בְּ/יַד֙ yâd H3027 "hand" Prep | N-cs

In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.

Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists

Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.

רֵעֵ֣/הוּ rêaʻ H7453 "neighbor" N-ms | Suff

A neighbor or friend is what this word means, describing someone close to you. It can also refer to a companion, fellow citizen, or another person, and is often translated as brother or friend.

Definition: 1) friend, companion, fellow, another person 1a) friend, intimate 1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense) 1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)

Usage: Occurs in 173 OT verses. KJV: brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. See also: Genesis 11:3; Job 42:7; Psalms 12:3.

הָֽ/עֲדֻלָּמִ֔י ʻĂdullâmîy H5726 "Adullamite" Art | Ngmsa

An Adullamite is someone from Adullam, a place in the Bible. The name means justice of the people. In the Bible, Adullam is where David hid from King Saul.

Definition: Someone from Adullam Group of a.dul.lam (עֲדֻלָּם "Adullam" H5725) § Adullamite, of Adullam "justice of the people" an inhabitant of Adullam

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Adullamite. See also: Genesis 38:1; Genesis 38:12; Genesis 38:20.

לָ/קַ֥חַת lâqach H3947 "to take" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.

Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)

Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.

הָ/עֵרָב֖וֹן ʻărâbôwn H6162 "pledge" Art | N-ms

A pledge is a promise or security given to guarantee something, like a pawn shop holding an item until a debt is paid. It appears in the Bible as a way to secure a loan or agreement. In ancient times, pledges were common practice.

Definition: pledge, security

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: pledge. See also: Genesis 38:17; Genesis 38:18; Genesis 38:20.

מִ/יַּ֣ד yâd H3027 "hand" Prep | N-cs

הָ/אִשָּׁ֑ה ʼishshâh H802 "woman" Art | N-fs

The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.

Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)

Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.

וְ/לֹ֖א lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

מְצָאָֽ/הּ mâtsâʼ H4672 "to find" V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff

Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.

Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)

Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.

Study Notes — Genesis 38:20

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Genesis 38:20 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 38:20
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 38:20
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 38:20
Sermons on Genesis 38:20

Context — Judah and Tamar

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. 22So Hirah returned to Judah and said, “I could not find her, and furthermore, the men of that place said, ‘No shrine prostitute has been here.’”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Genesis 20:9	Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.”
2	Leviticus 19:17	You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.
3	2 Samuel 13:3	Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man,
4	Judges 14:20	and his wife was given to one of the men who had accompanied him.
5	Luke 23:12	That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies.

Genesis 38:20 Summary

This verse shows Judah trying to secretly retrieve the items he had left with Tamar, but his friend Hirah couldn't find her. This situation reveals Judah's flawed character and his attempt to hide his actions. Just like Judah, we often try to hide or deny our mistakes, but this can lead to further complications. As the Bible says in Numbers 32:23, 'be sure that your sin will find you out,' and it's always better to take responsibility for our actions and trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Romans 8:28, which reminds us that God works all things together for our good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Judah send his friend Hirah to collect the items he had left with Tamar?

Judah sent Hirah to collect the items because he had given Tamar his seal, cord, and staff as a pledge, as seen in Genesis 38:18, and he wanted to retrieve them after their encounter.

What does this verse reveal about Judah's character?

This verse shows that Judah was trying to secretly retrieve his belongings without taking responsibility for his actions, which reflects his flawed character, as also seen in his initial decision to sleep with Tamar in Genesis 38:15-18.

Why couldn't Hirah find Tamar?

Hirah couldn't find Tamar because she had removed her veil and put on her widow's garments again, making it difficult for him to identify her, as mentioned in Genesis 38:19, and also because the men of that place claimed there was no shrine prostitute, as stated in Genesis 38:21-22.

What can we learn from Judah's actions in this verse?

We can learn that our actions have consequences, and trying to hide or deny them can lead to further complications, as seen in Judah's situation, and this is in line with the biblical principle that our actions will be judged, as stated in Romans 14:12 and 2 Corinthians 5:10.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I try to hide or deny my mistakes, and how can I learn to take responsibility for them like Judah eventually did?
How can I apply the principle of integrity and honesty in my daily life, especially when faced with difficult situations like Judah's?
What can I learn from Tamar's actions in this verse, and how can I apply her courage and determination to my own life?
In what ways can I trust God's sovereignty and providence, even in complicated situations like the one described in this verse, and how can I apply the promise of Romans 8:28 to my life?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 38:20

And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite,.... Who went with him to Timnath, and was privy to all this wickedness, and kept the secret; but would have acted the more friendly

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 38:20

And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand: but he found her not. No JFB commentary on this verse.

Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 38:20

Genesis 38:20 And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive [his] pledge from the woman’ s hand: but he found her not.Ver. 20. By the hand of hls friend.] His broker. Fie upon such Adullamites! Such coal carriers as this, saith one, be good to scour a hot oven with. Such another was Jonadab to Amnon. How much better that heathen, that answered, Amicus tibi sum, sed usque ad aras.

Sermons on Genesis 38:20

	Sermon	Description
	(Genesis) Genesis 20 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on chapter 20 of the book of Genesis. Abraham and Sarah are on a journey and they end up in a place called Gira. Abraham, out of fear, lies to
	A Bit of the Old Nature by F.B. Meyer	F.B. Meyer discusses the hidden sins that can linger in our hearts, drawing parallels to Abraham's past deceit regarding Sarah, which resurfaced in a moment of fear. He emphasizes
	Your Excuses by Paris Reidhead	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the idea that sinners often contend with God and make excuses for their actions. He explains that there are two types of contending with God
	Should Christian's Drink Alcohol? - Part 1 by Keith Malcomson	Keith Malcomson addresses the controversial topic of alcohol consumption among Christians, highlighting the shift in attitudes towards social drinking within the church. He emphasi
	Christian Cautions (Or the Necessity of Self-Examination) by Jonathan Edwards	Jonathan Edwards preaches about the importance of self-examination and living a life free from sin, focusing on various aspects such as the observance of the Sabbath, secret sins,
	The Destruction of Hardened Sinners by Asahel Nettleton	Asahel Nettleton preaches about the importance of receiving reproof and admonition with humility, contrasting the reactions of the humble Christian who values correction and the ha
	The Final Warning by Asahel Nettleton	Asahel Nettleton delivers a powerful sermon on the importance of receiving reproof with humility and the consequences of hardening one's heart against correction. He emphasizes the