Genesis 38:16

And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she [was] his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?

And he turned {H5186} unto her by the way {H1870}, and said {H559}, Go to {H3051}, I pray thee, let me come in {H935} unto thee;(for he knew {H3045} not that she was his daughter in law {H3618}.) And she said {H559}, What wilt thou give {H5414} me, that thou mayest come in {H935} unto me?

So he went over to her where she was sitting and said, not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, "Come, let me sleep with you." She answered, "What will you pay to sleep with me?"

Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her and said, โ€œCome now, let me sleep with you.โ€ โ€œWhat will you give me for sleeping with you?โ€ she inquired.

And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Come, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee: for he knew not that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?

Commentary

Context

Genesis chapter 38 presents a significant detour from the main narrative of Joseph, focusing instead on his brother Judah. This chapter highlights Judah's personal failures and the complex story of his daughter-in-law, Tamar. The verse in question, Genesis 38:16, occurs after Tamar, having been twice widowed by Judah's sons Er and Onan, and subsequently denied the third son, Shelah, by Judah, takes matters into her own hands. Disguised as a harlot, she strategically positions herself "by the way" where Judah is traveling, aiming to conceive an heir through him and secure her lineage and rights, a matter of great importance in ancient Israelite society.

Key Themes

  • Deception and Unknowing Sin: Judah's proposition to the disguised Tamar is rooted in his ignorance of her true identity ("he knew not that she was his daughter in law"). This highlights the theme of deception, where appearances are misleading, leading to a morally compromised situation for Judah.
  • Tamar's Desperation and Agency: Tamar's actions, while unconventional and ethically complex, stem from her desperate need to secure an heir within Judah's family line, a right denied her by Judah himself (as promised in Genesis 38:11). She exhibits remarkable agency in a patriarchal society to ensure her future and the continuation of the family line, which ultimately becomes part of the Messiah's lineage.
  • Consequences of Unfulfilled Promises: Judah's failure to uphold his obligation to Tamar regarding Shelah directly leads to this confrontation. The chapter underscores how unfulfilled promises can lead to unexpected and challenging outcomes.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee" is Judah's direct proposition. The Hebrew word for "harlot" (ื–ึนื ึธื”, zonah) is implied by Tamar's disguise. Tamar's question, "What wilt thou give me?" (ืžึทื”ึพืชึดึผืชึถึผืŸึพืœึดึผื™, mah-titten-li), is a straightforward negotiation, emphasizing the transactional nature of the encounter from her perspective, though her underlying motive is far deeper than mere payment for a sexual act.

Related Scriptures

This episode is critical for understanding the lineage of Judah, from whom kings would come, including David and ultimately Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:3 explicitly lists Tamar in Jesus's genealogy). The broader context of levirate marriage, though not directly enacted here, underpins Tamar's desire for an heir, as seen in laws later detailed in Deuteronomy 25:5. Judah's later recognition of Tamar's righteousness in Genesis 38:26 provides the resolution to this intricate narrative.

Practical Application

The story of Judah and Tamar serves as a powerful reminder that God's plan of salvation can unfold even through flawed human actions and complex moral circumstances. It highlights themes of justice, accountability, and the often-unforeseen consequences of our decisions. For believers today, it encourages a deeper look at personal integrity and the importance of fulfilling commitments. It also prompts reflection on how God can use imperfect people and situations to achieve His perfect will, ultimately leading to the fulfillment of His promises in Christ.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 26:15 (2 votes)

    And said [unto them], What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

  • 2 Samuel 13:11 (2 votes)

    And when she had brought [them] unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.

  • 1 Timothy 6:10 (2 votes)

    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

  • Ezekiel 16:33 (1 votes)

    They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom.

  • Deuteronomy 23:18 (1 votes)

    Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these [are] abomination unto the LORD thy God.