King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name [was] Tamar.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Y'hudah took a wife for 'Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
Berean Standard Bible:
Now Judah acquired a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
American Standard Version:
And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, and her name was Tamar.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Judah{H3063} took{H3947} a wife{H802} for Er{H6147} his firstborn{H1060}, whose name{H8034} was Tamar{H8559}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 24:3
- And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
Genesis 21:21
- And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
Matthew 1:3
- And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 38:6
Genesis 38:6 is a verse that occurs within a narrative chapter that diverges from the main storyline of Joseph in the book of Genesis. This verse introduces Tamar, who is to become the wife of Judah's firstborn son, Er. The themes present in this chapter include the importance of family lineage, the practice of levirate marriage (a custom where a man would marry his brother's widow to produce offspring for the deceased brother), and the consequences of moral failure.
In the historical context of the Ancient Near East, marriages were often arranged by the family, and the continuation of the family line through the birth of children, particularly sons, was of utmost importance. The verse specifically mentions Judah, one of the sons of Jacob (Israel), who takes an active role in securing a wife for his son, emphasizing his paternal responsibility.
Tamar's character is significant as she later becomes an integral part of the lineage of King David and, consequently, of Jesus Christ, as mentioned in the New Testament (Matthew 1:3). This connection underscores the sovereignty of God in weaving together the threads of complex human relationships to fulfill His divine purposes.
The events of Genesis 38, including verse 6, serve as a backdrop for the unfolding drama that involves family dynamics, the fulfillment of the levirate duty, and the sovereignty of God over the affairs of humanity. The narrative also highlights the moral and ethical challenges faced by the patriarchs, demonstrating that despite their flaws, God's overarching plan for His people continues to move forward.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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. - 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. - Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. - Strong's Number: H6147
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵר
Transliteration: ʻÊr
Pronunciation: ayr
Description: from עוּר; watchful; Er, the name of two Israelites; Er. - Strong's Number: H1060
There are 96 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּכוֹר
Transliteration: bᵉkôwr
Pronunciation: bek-ore'
Description: from בָּכַר; firstborn; hence, chief; eldest (son), firstborn(-ling). - 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. - Strong's Number: H8559
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּמָר
Transliteration: Tâmâr
Pronunciation: taw-mawr'
Description: the same as תָּמָר; Tamar, the name of three women and a place; Tamar.