Genesis 38:21

Genesis 38:21 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

He 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.

King James Version KJV

Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place.

American Standard Version ASV

Then he asked the men of her place, saying, Where is the prostitute, that was at Enaim by the wayside? And they said, There hath been no prostitute here.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And he put questions to the men of the place, saying, Where is the loose woman who was in Enaim by the wayside? And they said, There was no such woman there.

Free Bible Version FBV

Hirah asked the men there, “Where's the cult prostitute that sits by the entrance road to Enaim?” “There's no cult prostitute here,” they answered.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then asked he the men of that place, saying, Where is ye whore, that sate in Enaim by the way side? And they answered, There was no whore here.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And he asketh the men of her place, saying, 'Where [is] the separated one — she in Enayim, by the way?' and they say, 'There hath not been in this [place] a separated one.'

World English Bible WEB

Then he asked the men of her place, saying, “Where is the prostitute, that was at Enaim by the road?” They said, “There has been no prostitute here.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Then he asked the men of that place, saying, where is the harlot that was openly by the way-side? and they said, There was no harlot in this place.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Asked the men of that place: Where is the woman that sat in the cross way? And when they all made answer: There was no harlot in this place,

Translation for Translators T4T

So he asked the men who lived there, “Where is the prostitute who was sitting by the road at Enaim?” They replied, “There has never been a prostitute here!”

Plain English Version PEV

So he talked to the men that lived in that place, and he said, “Where is that woman that sleeps with men for pay? She was sitting next to the road, near the place called Enayim.” But those men said, “There isn’t any woman here that sleeps with men for pay.”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 38:21

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 38:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֞ל אֶת אַנְשֵׁ֤י מְקֹמָ/הּ֙ לֵ/אמֹ֔ר אַיֵּ֧ה הַ/קְּדֵשָׁ֛ה הִ֥וא בָ/עֵינַ֖יִם עַל הַ/דָּ֑רֶךְ וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ לֹא הָיְתָ֥ה בָ/זֶ֖ה קְדֵשָֽׁה

וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֞ל shâʼal H7592 to ask Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

אַנְשֵׁ֤י ʼîysh H376 man N-mp

מְקֹמָ/הּ֙ mâqôwm H4725 place N-ms | Suff

לֵ/אמֹ֔ר ʼâmar H559 to say Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

אַיֵּ֧ה ʼayêh H346 where? Part

הַ/קְּדֵשָׁ֛ה qᵉdêshâh H6948 cult prostitute Art | N-fs

הִ֥וא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Pron

בָ/עֵינַ֖יִם ʻÊynayim H5879 Enam Prep | N-proper

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

הַ/דָּ֑רֶךְ derek H1870 way Art | N-cs

וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

לֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part

הָיְתָ֥ה hâyâh H1961 to be V-Qal-Perf-3fs

בָ/זֶ֖ה zeh H2088 this Prep | Pron

קְדֵשָֽׁה qᵉdêshâh H6948 cult prostitute Adj

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 38:21

וַ/יִּשְׁאַ֞ל shâʼal H7592 "to ask" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

To ask or inquire, this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe seeking information or requesting something. It can also mean to beg or borrow, and is used in many different contexts throughout the Old Testament. The KJV translates it as ask, beg, or borrow.

Definition: 1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to ask, ask for 1a2) to ask (as a favour), borrow 1a3) to enquire, enquire of 1a4) to enquire of, consult (of deity, oracle) 1a5) to seek 1b) (Niphal) to ask for oneself, ask leave of absence 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to enquire, enquire carefully 1c2) to beg, practise beggary 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to be given on request 1d2) to grant, make over to, let (one) ask (successfully) or give or lend on request (then) grant or make over to Aramaic equivalent: she.el (שְׁאֵל "to ask" H7593)

Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. See also: Genesis 24:47; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 2:8.

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.

אַנְשֵׁ֤י ʼîysh H376 "man" N-mp

The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.

Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)

Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.

מְקֹמָ/הּ֙ mâqôwm H4725 "place" N-ms | Suff

Maqom means a place or location, like a city or a region. It can also refer to a condition of the body or mind. This term is used to describe a wide range of locations and situations.

Definition: 1) standing place, place 1a) standing place, station, post, office 1b) place, place of human abode 1c) city, land, region 1d) place, locality, spot 1e) space, room, distance 1f) region, quarter, direction 1g) give place to, instead of

Usage: Occurs in 379 OT verses. KJV: country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 1:9; Deuteronomy 12:3; 1 Kings 20:24.

לֵ/אמֹ֔ר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

אַיֵּ֧ה ʼayêh H346 "where?" Part

The Hebrew word for where, used to ask for the location of someone or something. It appears in various biblical contexts, including rhetorical questions.

Definition: 1) where? 1a) of persons, things 1b) rhetorical

Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: where. See also: Genesis 18:9; Isaiah 33:18; Psalms 42:4.

הַ/קְּדֵשָׁ֛ה qᵉdêshâh H6948 "cult prostitute" Art | N-fs

A cult prostitute, or qedesha, was a female temple worker who engaged in ritual prostitution in ancient times. This practice is condemned in the Bible, particularly in the book of Deuteronomy.

Definition: female temple prostitute, harlot

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: harlot, whore. See also: Genesis 38:21; Deuteronomy 23:18; Hosea 4:14.

הִ֥וא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Pron

This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.

Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)

Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.

בָ/עֵינַ֖יִם ʻÊynayim H5879 "Enam" Prep | N-proper

Enam means double spring, a city in Judah's lowlands. It is also referred to as Enaim in some Bible translations, such as Genesis 38:21.

Definition: § Enam = "double spring" a city in the lowlands of Judah

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Enaim, openly (Genesis 38:21). See also: Genesis 38:14; Genesis 38:21; Joshua 15:34.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

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.

הַ/דָּ֑רֶךְ derek H1870 "way" Art | N-cs

Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.

Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.

וַ/יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

לֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" 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.

הָיְתָ֥ה hâyâh H1961 "to be" V-Qal-Perf-3fs

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

בָ/זֶ֖ה zeh H2088 "this" Prep | Pron

This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.

Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.

קְדֵשָֽׁה qᵉdêshâh H6948 "cult prostitute" Adj

A cult prostitute, or qedesha, was a female temple worker who engaged in ritual prostitution in ancient times. This practice is condemned in the Bible, particularly in the book of Deuteronomy.

Definition: female temple prostitute, harlot

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: harlot, whore. See also: Genesis 38:21; Deuteronomy 23:18; Hosea 4:14.

Study Notes — Genesis 38:21

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Genesis 38:21 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 38:21
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 38:21
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 38:21
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 38:21
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 38:21
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 38:21
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 38:21

Context — Judah and Tamar

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.’” 23“Let her keep the items,” Judah replied. “Otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you could not find her.”

Genesis 38:21 Summary

In Genesis 38:21, Judah's friend Hirah is searching for the woman who Judah thinks is a shrine prostitute, but the men of the place claim she doesn't exist. This verse shows how easily we can get caught up in trying to fulfill our own desires without considering God's plan, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11. It also highlights the importance of honesty and integrity, as encouraged in Proverbs 10:9. By reflecting on this verse, we can learn to seek God's guidance and truth in our own lives, just as the Psalmist seeks in Psalm 119:105.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the term 'shrine prostitute' mean in Genesis 38:21?

In the context of Genesis 38:21, a shrine prostitute refers to a woman who served as a priestess or cultic prostitute at a pagan shrine, as seen in Deuteronomy 23:17-18, which forbids such practices for the Israelites.

Why did the men of the place deny knowing the shrine prostitute?

The men of the place may have denied knowing the shrine prostitute to avoid association with her or to hide their own involvement in such pagan practices, highlighting the spiritual darkness of the time, as mentioned in Judges 21:25.

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

Hirah's actions demonstrate a sense of obedience to Judah, as he follows his instructions to find the woman, but also a lack of spiritual discernment, as he does not seem to question the morality of the situation, unlike the examples of spiritual leadership in Exodus 18:21.

How does this verse relate to the broader story of Judah and Tamar?

This verse is a pivotal point in the story of Judah and Tamar, as it highlights Judah's attempt to fulfill his obligation to Tamar, while also revealing his lack of knowledge about her true identity and circumstances, as seen in Genesis 38:1-30.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways in which we, like Judah, may be seeking to fulfill our obligations without truly considering the spiritual implications of our actions?
How can we, as believers, discern between right and wrong in situations where the moral boundaries are not clearly defined, as seen in Psalm 119:105?
What role does deception play in this verse, and how can we apply the lesson of honesty and integrity from this story to our own lives, as encouraged in Proverbs 10:9?
In what ways can we, like the men of the place, be tempted to deny or hide the truth, and how can we cultivate a heart of transparency and honesty before God, as seen in Genesis 38:26?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 38:21

Then he asked the men of that place,.... Or "of her place" (d), of the woman's place, supposing that she dwelt somewhere thereabout: saying, where [is] the harlot that [was] openly by the wayside?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 38:21

Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place. Where is the harlot?

Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 38:21

Genesis 38:21 Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where [is] the harlot, that [was] openly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this [place].Ver. 21. Where is the harlot?] The holy whore, as the Hebrew word importeth; such as committed that filthiness, under a pretence of holiness. Such, among the heathens, were the lewd worshippers of Priapus (this is thought to be Baalpeor); and Venus at Cyprus; where the maids, in honour of their goddess, prostituted their chastity to all that would, once a year. So in their Lupercals and Bacchanals at Rome, in quibus discurrebatur ad publicos concubitus, for like reason. Of such unclean persons, even by God’ s house, we read in 2 Kings 23:7, and of such as "sacrificed with harlots" in Hosea 4:14, who brought their hire for a vow; called therefore, the price of a salt bitch (dog). Vah propudium!

Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 38:21

(21) Where is the harlot . . .?—Heb.,Whercisthe kedeshah (see Genesis 38:15) that was at Enajim by the wayside? “Enajim (the two founts) by-the-wayside,” seems to have been the full name of the village. (See Genesis 38:14.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 38:21

Verse 21. Where is the harlot that was openly by the wayside?] Our translators often render different Hebrew words by the same term in English, and thus many important shades of meaning, which involve traits of character, are lost. In Genesis 38:15, Tamar is called a harlot, זונה zonah, which, as we have already seen, signifies a person who prostitutes herself for money. In this verse she is called a harlot in our version; but the original is not זונה but קדשה kedeshah, a holy or consecrated person, from קדש kadash, to make holy, or to consecrate to religious purposes. And the word here must necessarily signify a person consecrated by prostitution to the worship of some impure goddess. The public prostitutes in the temple of Venus are called ιεροδουλοιγυναικες, holy or consecrated female servants, by Strabo; and it appears from the words zonah and kedeshah above, that impure rites and public prostitution prevailed in the worship of the Canaanites in the time of Judah. And among these people we have much reason to believe that Astarte and Asteroth occupied the same place in their theology as Venus did among the Greeks and Romans, and were worshipped with the same impure rites.

Cambridge Bible on Genesis 38:21

21. harlot] Heb. ḳ ?edêshah, that is, a woman dedicated to impure heathen worship: see Deuteronomy 23:17; Hosea 4:14. The Heb. word denotes “a woman dedicated to the service of some god, or goddess.” Her dedication consisted in the sacrifice of her chastity. This repulsive and strangely degrading custom prevailed generally among Semitic races, and was associated with the impure and immoral rites of the Phoenician, Syrian, and Babylonian worship.

Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 38:21

21. Openly by the wayside — Rather, at Enajim on the way. See on Genesis 38:14.

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