(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.
She got up and went away, took off her veil and put on her widow's clothes.
Then Tamar got up and departed. And she removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments again.
And she arose, and went away, and put off her veil from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
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}.
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
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)