Genesis 38:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name [was] Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.

Complete Jewish Bible:

There Y'hudah saw one of the daughters of a certain Kena'ani whose name was Shua, and he took her and slept with her.

Berean Standard Bible:

There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua, and he took her as a wife and slept with her.

American Standard Version:

And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her, and went in unto her.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Judah^{H3063} saw^{H7200} there a daughter^{H1323} of a certain^{H376} Canaanite^{H3669}, whose name^{H8034} was Shuah^{H7770}; and he took her^{H3947}, and went in^{H935} unto her.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 38:2

1. **Themes:**
- **Intermarriage with Canaanites:** The verse highlights the theme of intermarriage between the Israelites and the local Canaanite population, which was generally discouraged in the Hebrew Bible due to religious and cultural differences.
- **Moral Choices:** Judah's actions reflect the broader theme of personal moral choices and their consequences, a recurring motif in the patriarchal narratives.
- **Divine Plan and Human Agency:** Despite the patriarchs' flawed decisions, God's plan for the chosen lineage unfolds, illustrating the interplay between human agency and divine providence.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The events of Genesis 38 occur during the period of the patriarchs, specifically when the family of Jacob (Israel) is living in Canaan.
- **Cultural Context:** At this time, the Canaanites were the indigenous inhabitants of the land that would later become Israel. Interactions between the Hebrews and Canaanites were common, though often fraught with tension due to differing religious practices and cultural norms.
- **Narrative Placement:** This chapter is somewhat of a narrative interlude, focusing on Judah's family line rather than the main story of Joseph, which dominates the surrounding chapters. It serves to set the stage for the lineage of Judah, which will eventually lead to King David and, ultimately, to Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

In summary, Genesis 38:2 reflects the complex dynamics of intermarriage and cultural assimilation while emphasizing the moral choices of the patriarchs. It is set against the backdrop of the ancient Near East, where the Hebrews were living among the Canaanites, and it holds significance for the development of the messianic line through Judah's descendants.

*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: H3063
   There are 754 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהוּדָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhûwdâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-hoo-daw'
   Description: from יָדָה; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory; Judah.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1323
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּת
   Transliteration: bath
   Pronunciation: bath
   Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village.
   
4. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); 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 אִשָּׁה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3669
   There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כְּנַעַנִי
   Transliteration: Kᵉnaʻanîy
   Pronunciation: ken-ah-an-ee'
   Description: patrial from כְּנַעַן; a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing for their neighbors the Ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile caravans); Canaanite, merchant, trafficker.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8034
   There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7770
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּעַ
   Transliteration: Shûwaʻ
   Pronunciation: shoo'-ah
   Description: the same as שׁוּעַ; Shua, a Canaanite; Shua, Shuah.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
   
9. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.