Genesis 38

Genesis 38:1

certain, &c. = a man, an Adullamite. Hebrew. ’ish. See App-14.

Genesis 38:2

Canaanite. In this was Judah’s sin. Compare Genesis 24:3; Genesis 26:35; Genesis 27:46; Genesis 28:1. Exodus 34:16. Deuteronomy 7:3. A warning, and a revelation of the human heart. Note who these Canaanites were! App-23.

Genesis 38:3

he, should be “she”, with Septuagint.

Genesis 38:8

raise up seed, &c. = a law before Sinai. See App-15. Compare Deuteronomy 25:5-9. Rth 4:10. Matthew 22:24. An old and present Eastern law.

Genesis 38:10

displeased. Hebrew was evil in the eyes of Jehovah. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

Genesis 38:11

he die also. Judah, an unnatural brother, is punished in his own children.

Genesis 38:14

And Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6) emphasizing the deliberateness of each action.

in an open place. Hebrew “in the entrance to Enaim”.

Genesis 38:19

widowhood. Nine widows mentioned. See App-10for significance. Tamar, here. Tekoah, 2 Samuel 14:5. Hiram’s mother, 1 Kings 7:14. Zeruah, 1 Kings 11:26. Widow of Zarephath, 1 Kings 17:9. Poor widow, Mark 12:42. Anna, Luke 2:37. Widow of Nain, Luke 7:12. Importunate, Luke 18:3.

Genesis 38:21

openly. Hebrew “at Enaim”.

Genesis 38:24

burnt. This was strictly in accordance with the Code of Hammurabi (157), which was then in force throughout Canaan. See App-15.

Genesis 38:29

Pharez = “breach”.

Genesis 38:30

Zarah = “a rising of light”, “Offspring”, or “Dawn”. Both Pharez and Zarah, together with their rnother Tamar, are in the genealogy of Christ (Matthew 1:3). This is why this parenthetical chapter is inserted here. It is here by the Figure of speech Parecbasis. It comes, historically, before chapter 37.