Genesis 38:26

Genesis 38:26 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.

King James Version KJV

And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

American Standard Version ASV

And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She is more righteous than I, forasmuch as I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then Judah said openly that they were his, and said, She is more upright than I am, for I did not give her to Shelah my son. And he had no more connection with her.

Free Bible Version FBV

Judah recognized them right away and said, “She has honored the law more than I have, because I didn't give her in marriage to my son Shelah.” He didn't sleep with Tamar again.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then Iudah knewe them, and said, She is more righteous then I: for she hath done it because I gaue her not to Shelah my sonne. So he lay with her no more.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And Judah discerneth and saith, 'She hath been more righteous than I, because that I did not give her to Shelah my son;' and he hath not added to know her again.

World English Bible WEB

Judah acknowledged them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son.” He knew her again no more.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And Judah acknowledged them, and said She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son: and he knew her again no more.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

But he acknowledging the gifts, said: She is juster than I: because I did not give her to Sela, my son. However, he knew her no more.

Translation for Translators T4T

When the man did that, Judah recognized the ring and the stick. He said, “She is more righteous than I am. I did not tell my son Shelah to marry her, as I promised that I would.” And Judah did not have sex [EUP] with her again.

Plain English Version PEV

So they took those things to Judah, and they told him what Tamar said. And Judah looked at those things, and he knew that they belonged to him. Then Judah knew that Tamar tricked him, and he felt shame. He said, “You know, I did the wrong thing. I didn’t let Tamar marry my son Shelah. But Tamar is better than me. She wanted to have kids that will belong to her dead husband, just like our culture says. That’s the reason why she got me to sleep with her.” So Judah didn’t punish Tamar, and he never slept with her again.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 38:26

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 38:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יַּכֵּ֣ר יְהוּדָ֗ה וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙ צָֽדְקָ֣ה מִמֶּ֔/נִּי כִּֽי עַל כֵּ֥ן לֹא נְתַתִּ֖י/הָ לְ/שֵׁלָ֣ה בְנִ֑/י וְ/לֹֽא יָסַ֥ף ע֖וֹד לְ/דַעְתָּֽ/ה

וַ/יַּכֵּ֣ר nâkar H5234 to recognize Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms

יְהוּדָ֗ה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 Judah N-proper

וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙ ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

צָֽדְקָ֣ה tsâdaq H6663 to justify V-Qal-Perf-3fs

מִמֶּ֔/נִּי min H4480 from Prep | Suff

כִּֽי kîy H3588 for Conj

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

כֵּ֥ן kên H3651 right Part

לֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part

נְתַתִּ֖י/הָ nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Perf-1cs | Suff

לְ/שֵׁלָ֣ה Shêlâh H7956 Shelah Prep | N-proper

בְנִ֑/י bên H1121 son N-ms | Suff

וְ/לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

יָסַ֥ף yâçaph H3254 to add V-Qal-Perf-3ms

ע֖וֹד ʻôwd H5750 still Adv

לְ/דַעְתָּֽ/ה yâdaʻ H3045 to know Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 38:26

וַ/יַּכֵּ֣ר nâkar H5234 "to recognize" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms

To alienate or treat as foreign, as seen in the story of Moses and the Egyptians in Exodus. This verb means to scrutinize or look intently at someone, often with suspicion or disregard. It is used to describe the actions of biblical characters towards others.

Definition: 1) to recognise, acknowledge, know, respect, discern, regard 1a) (Niphal) to be recognised 1b) (Piel) to regard 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to regard, observe, pay attention to, pay regard to, notice 1c2) to recognise (as formerly known), perceive 1c3) to be willing to recognise or acknowledge, acknowledge with honour 1c4) to be acquainted with 1c5) to distinguish, understand 1d) (Hithpael) to make oneself known

Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, [idiom] could, deliver, discern, dissemble, estrange, feign self to be another, know, take knowledge (notice), perceive, regard, (have) respect, behave (make) self strange(-ly). See also: Genesis 27:23; 1 Kings 20:41; Psalms 103:16.

יְהוּדָ֗ה 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.

וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙ ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

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.

צָֽדְקָ֣ה tsâdaq H6663 "to justify" V-Qal-Perf-3fs

Refers to the act of making something right, either by justifying oneself or being declared righteous by God. It is used to describe God's justice and people's attempts to do what is right. This concept is key to understanding the Bible's teachings on sin and redemption.

Definition: 1) to be just, be righteous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to have a just cause, be in the right 1a2) to be justified 1a3) to be just (of God) 1a4) to be just, be righteous (in conduct and character) 1b) (Niphal) to be put or made right, be justified 1c) (Piel) justify, make to appear righteous, make someone righteous 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to do or bring justice (in administering law) 1d2) to declare righteous, justify 1d3) to justify, vindicate the cause of, save 1d4) to make righteous, turn to righteousness 1e) (Hithpael) to justify oneself

Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just(-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be turn to) righteous(-ness). See also: Genesis 38:26; Job 33:32; Psalms 19:10.

מִמֶּ֔/נִּי min H4480 "from" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.

Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)

Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.

כִּֽי kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

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.

כֵּ֥ן kên H3651 "right" Part

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable

Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.

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.

נְתַתִּ֖י/הָ nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Perf-1cs | Suff

This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.

Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon

Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.

לְ/שֵׁלָ֣ה Shêlâh H7956 "Shelah" Prep | N-proper

Shelah was a man in the Bible, the son of Judah and Bath-shua, and is mentioned in Genesis 38:5. He was a patriarch and had several sons, including Er and Laadah.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.38.5; son of: Judah (H3063) and Bath-shua (H1323I); brother of: Er (H6147) and Onan (H0209); half-brother of: Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I); father of: Er (H6147H), Laadah (H3935), Jokim (H3137), Joash (H3101K) and Saraph (H8315); also called Shelanite at Num.26.20; Also named: she.la.ni (שֵׁלָנִי "Shelanite" H8024) § Shelah = "a petition" the youngest son of Judah

Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: Shelah. See also: Genesis 38:5; Genesis 46:12; 1 Chronicles 4:21.

בְנִ֑/י bên H1121 "son" N-ms | Suff

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

וְ/לֹֽא 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.

יָסַ֥ף yâçaph H3254 "to add" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

To add means to increase or do something again, like adding more of something or continuing an action. This word is used in the Bible to describe growth or repetition.

Definition: : add/more[amount] 1) to add, increase, do again 1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to join, join oneself to 1b2) to be joined, be added to 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to add, increase 1c2) to do more, do again

Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: add, [idiom] again, [idiom] any more, [idiom] cease, [idiom] come more, [phrase] conceive again, continue, exceed, [idiom] further, [idiom] gather together, get more, give more-over, [idiom] henceforth, increase (more and more), join, [idiom] longer (bring, do, make, much, put), [idiom] (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed (further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, [idiom] yet, yield. See also: Genesis 4:2; 2 Samuel 19:14; Psalms 10:18.

ע֖וֹד ʻôwd H5750 "still" Adv

The word 'still' means something continues or happens again, like in Genesis 29:26 and Isaiah 2:11. It can also mean 'more' or 'additionally'.

Definition: subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751)

Usage: Occurs in 459 OT verses. KJV: again, [idiom] all life long, at all, besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer, (any) more(-over), [idiom] once, since, (be) still, when, (good, the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet (within). See also: Genesis 4:25; Judges 9:37; 2 Chronicles 32:16.

לְ/דַעְתָּֽ/ה yâdaʻ H3045 "to know" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff

The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.

Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)

Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.

Study Notes — Genesis 38:26

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Genesis 38:26 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 38:26
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 38:26
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 38:26
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 38:26
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 38:26
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 38:26
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 38:26
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 38:26
Sermons on Genesis 38:26

Context — Judah and Tamar

24About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!” 25As she was being brought out, Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Please examine them. Whose seal and cord and staff are these?”

26Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.

27When the time came for Tamar to give birth, there were twins in her womb. 28And as she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it around his wrist. “This one came out first,” she announced.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Samuel 24:17	and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.
2	John 8:9	When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there.
3	Titus 2:11–12	For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
4	1 Peter 4:2–3	Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.
5	Habakkuk 1:13	Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
6	2 Samuel 16:22	So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
7	Ezekiel 16:52	So now you must bear your disgrace, since you have brought justification for your sisters. For they appear more righteous than you, because your sins were more vile than theirs. So you too must bear your shame and disgrace, since you have made your sisters appear righteous.
8	Job 4:5	But now trouble has come upon you, and you are weary. It strikes you, and you are dismayed.
9	2 Samuel 24:17	When David saw the angel striking down the people, he said to the LORD, “Surely I, the shepherd, have sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please, let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house.”
10	2 Samuel 20:3	When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to care for the palace, and he placed them in a house under guard. He provided for them, but he no longer slept with them. They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows.

Genesis 38:26 Summary

[In this verse, Judah finally takes responsibility for his actions and acknowledges that Tamar was right to seek a child from him, as she had been faithful to their marriage contract, as seen in Genesis 38:11 and 26. He realizes that he had wronged her and takes steps to make things right. This shows that Judah is capable of recognizing his own sin and taking responsibility for his actions, which is an important part of following God, as seen in Proverbs 28:13. By acknowledging his sin and taking responsibility, Judah is able to start the process of healing and restoration, as seen in Psalm 51:1-4.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Judah not give Tamar to his son Shelah as he had promised?

Judah did not give Tamar to his son Shelah because he was afraid that Shelah would also die, as his older brothers Er and Onan had died, and he did not want to lose another son, as seen in Genesis 38:11.

What does it mean that Judah recognized the items and said Tamar was more righteous than he?

Judah recognized the items as his own and acknowledged that Tamar was more righteous than he because she had been faithful to the marriage contract, whereas Judah had not fulfilled his obligations to her, as seen in Genesis 38:26.

Why did Judah not have relations with Tamar again after recognizing the items?

Judah did not have relations with Tamar again because he had realized his own sin and hypocrisy in judging Tamar, and he was taking responsibility for his actions, as seen in Genesis 38:26, and also in accordance with the principles of repentance and restitution found in Matthew 5:23-24.

How does Judah's response to Tamar reflect his character?

Judah's response to Tamar reflects his character as a man who is capable of recognizing his own sin and taking responsibility for his actions, as seen in Genesis 38:26, and also shows a level of humility and willingness to learn from his mistakes, as seen in other biblical examples such as David in Psalm 51:1-4.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can take responsibility for my actions, like Judah did, and make amends when I have wronged someone?
How can I cultivate a sense of humility and willingness to learn from my mistakes, like Judah showed in this verse?
What are some ways that I can demonstrate faithfulness and commitment to my own obligations and relationships, like Tamar did in this story?
What can I learn from Judah's example about the importance of acknowledging and repenting of my own sin, as seen in Genesis 38:26 and 1 John 1:9?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 38:26

And Judah acknowledged [them],.... He knew them, and owned them to be his: and said, she hath been more righteous than I; he means, not with respect to the sin of uncleanness committed by them, in

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 38:26

And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 38:26

His guilty conscience, and the horror of so foul a fact, together with his sudden surprisal, forced him to an ingenuous confession, whereas he might have used many pretences and evasions, which would easily have prevailed with such partial judges. She hath been more righteous than I. She was more unchaste, because she knowingly committed adultery and incest, when he designed neither; but he was more unjust, because he was the cause of her sin, both by withholding Shelah from her, who was hers both by right and by Judah’ s promise, and by whom her chastity should have been preserved; and by his solicitation and encouragement of her to the sin. He knew her again no more; showing the sincerity of his confession by his forsaking of the sin confessed. See . And it may be probably concluded, that he neither knew her nor any other woman afterward, because there is no mention of any child which he had after this time.

Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 38:26

Genesis 38:26 And Judah acknowledged [them], and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.Ver. 26. She hath been more righteous than I.] A free confession, joined with confusion of his sin; for he knew her no more. This was, to "confess and forsake sin," as Solomon hath it. Not like that of Saul; "I have sinned, yet honour me before the people": or that of those in the wilderness; "We have sinned; we will go up": they might as well have said, We have sinned, we will sin. The worser sort of Papists will say, When we have sinned, we must confess; and when we have confessed, we must sin again, that we may also confess again, and make work for new indulgences and jubilees; making account of confessing, as drunkards do of vomiting. But true confession goes along with hatred, care, apology. Sandys’ s Relation of West. Relig., sec. 8.

Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 38:26

(25, 26) She sent . . . —The Talmud praises Tamar for so acting, as to bring no public disgrace upon Judah; and he acknowledges that he was most to blame, because the cause of her crime was his own failure to act justly by her.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 38:26

Verse 26. She hath been more righteous than I] It is probable that Tamar was influenced by no other motive than that which was common to all the Israelitish women, the desire to have children who might be heirs of the promise made to Abraham, &c. And as Judah had obliged her to continue in her widowhood under the promise of giving her his son Shelah when he should be of age, consequently his refusing or delaying to accomplish this promise was a breach of truth, and an injury done to Tamar.

Cambridge Bible on Genesis 38:26

26. more righteous] Judah acknowledges that Tamar had a claim upon the observance of marriage customs, and that he had done wrong in neglecting her, and in ignoring the sacred obligations of tribal “levirate” marriage, upon which depended the very existence of an Oriental community. The Heb. verb means “to be right, to have right on one’s side”; and Judah’s words might be rendered “she is in her rights as against me” (cf. Davidson’s Theology of the O.T., p. 267).

Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 38:26

26. More righteous than I — “Judah not only saw his guilt, but he confessed it also, and showed, both by this confession and also by the fact that he had no further conjugal intercourse with Tamar,

Sermons on Genesis 38:26

	Sermon	Description
	Introducing Naomi and Ruth by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith introduces the book of Ruth by exploring the lives of Naomi and Ruth against the backdrop of the moral decay during the time of the Judges in Israel. He emphasizes how
	Righteousness in the Old Testament by Art Katz	Art Katz explores the concept of righteousness in the Old Testament, emphasizing that it is fundamentally about fulfilling the demands of relationships, particularly with God and t
	The Function of Conscience by Steve Mays	In this sermon, Pastor Steve Mays discusses the function of the conscience and its role in guiding our choices. He explains that the conscience can commend, condemn, or convict us
	God's Spy in the Heart by Thomas Brooks	Thomas Brooks emphasizes that conscience acts as God's spy within our hearts, serving as a personal tribunal that records our actions and thoughts. He illustrates how conscience fu
	(1 Peter - Part 11): Wherefore, Gird Up Your Minds and Be Sober by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being spiritually prepared and vigilant. He uses the analogy of a violinist who neglects to tune his instrument, resulting
	Are You Ready for the Coming of Jesus by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of the coming of Jesus and the signs that will precede it. He references the scripture in Matthew 24, where Jesus compares his co
	A Satanic Deception Regarding Salvation by Charles Stanley	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding the true source of authority in life, death, and morality. He asserts that the final authority is found in t