Genesis 38:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.

Complete Jewish Bible:

She got up and went away, took off her veil and put on her widow's clothes.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Tamar got up and departed. And she removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments again.

American Standard Version:

And she arose, and went away, and put off her veil from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And she arose{H6965}, and went away{H3212}, and laid by{H5493} her vail{H6809} from her, and put on{H3847} the garments{H899} of her widowhood{H491}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Genesis 38:14

  • And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which [is] by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.

2 Samuel 14:2

  • And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

2 Samuel 14:5

  • And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I [am] indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.

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Commentary for Genesis 38:19

Genesis 38:19 is part of the narrative involving Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar. The verse specifically describes Tamar's actions after an encounter with Judah, where she veils herself and disguises as a prostitute to conceive a child by her father-in-law, following the death of her husband Er, and later her husband's brother Onan.

**Themes:**
1. **Deception and Identity:** Tamar removes her widow's garments and veil, symbols of her status, to disguise herself, highlighting themes of deception and the fluidity of identity.
2. **Justice and Righteousness:** Tamar's actions can be seen as a means to achieve justice and fulfillment of the levirate law (Deuteronomy 25:5-6), which obligated a brother to marry his deceased brother's widow to produce offspring for the deceased.
3. **Providence and Lineage:** The story underscores the providential role of Tamar in the lineage of Judah, from which King David and eventually Jesus Christ would descend (Matthew 1:3).

**Historical Context:**
Set within the broader context of the patriarchal narratives, this chapter is somewhat of a digression from the story of Joseph. It reflects the customs and legal practices of the time, particularly those concerning marriage, widowhood, and inheritance. The story of Tamar and Judah would have resonated with ancient audiences familiar with the importance of lineage and the legal mechanisms in place to ensure its continuity. It also serves as a moral tale, emphasizing the virtue of Tamar, who, despite her questionable methods, is ultimately vindicated for her pursuit of righteousness within the framework of her cultural and legal norms.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H6965
    There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קוּם
    Transliteration: qûwm
    Pronunciation: koom
    Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); 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).
  2. Strong's Number: H3212
    There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָלַךְ
    Transliteration: yâlak
    Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
    Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [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.
  3. Strong's Number: H5493
    There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: סוּר
    Transliteration: çûwr
    Pronunciation: soor
    Description: or שׂוּר; (Hosea 9:12), a primitive root; to turn off (literal or figurative); 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.
  4. Strong's Number: H6809
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צָעִיף
    Transliteration: tsâʻîyph
    Pronunciation: tsaw-eef'
    Description: from an unused root meaning to wrap over; a veil; vail.
  5. Strong's Number: H3847
    There are 103 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: לָבַשׁ
    Transliteration: lâbash
    Pronunciation: law-bash'
    Description: or לָבֵשׁ; a primitive root; properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively; (in) apparel, arm, array (self), clothe (self), come upon, put (on, upon), wear.
  6. Strong's Number: H899
    There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בֶּגֶד
    Transliteration: beged
    Pronunciation: behg'-ed
    Description: from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe.
  7. Strong's Number: H491
    There are 169 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אַלְמָנוּת
    Transliteration: ʼalmânûwth
    Pronunciation: al-maw-nooth'
    Description: feminine of אַלְמָן; concrete, a widow; abstract, widowhood; widow, widowhood.