Genesis 38:23

KJV

And Judah said, Let her take [it] to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Judah {H3063} said {H559}, Let her take {H3947} it to her, lest we be shamed {H937}: behold, I sent {H7971} this kid {H1423}, and thou hast not found {H4672} her.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hudah said, "All right, let her keep the things, so that we won't be publicly shamed. I sent the kid, but you didn't find her."

Berean Standard Bible

“Let her keep the items,” Judah replied. “Otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you could not find her.”

American Standard Version

And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be put to shame: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 38:23 captures Judah's urgent and pragmatic decision to abandon the retrieval of his personal pledges from Tamar, prioritizing the avoidance of public humiliation over the recovery of his valuable possessions. Having unknowingly engaged in an illicit encounter with his daughter-in-law disguised as a prostitute, Judah's immediate concern is to prevent the scandal that would inevitably arise if his actions were exposed, revealing a character grappling with the immediate consequences of sin and a human tendency to prioritize reputation over integrity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the detailed narrative of Judah and Tamar, an important interlude (often referred to as a "parenthesis") strategically placed between sections of the Joseph narrative (specifically, after [Joseph is sold into slavery](/genesis/37-36 "Joseph Sold into Slavery") and before [Joseph's rise in Potiphar's house](/genesis/39-1 "Joseph in Potiphar's House")). The preceding verses describe Judah's encounter with Tamar, who, in her desperate desire for progeny and justice, disguised herself as a cult prostitute. Judah, unaware of her identity, promised her a young goat as payment and, as collateral, gave her his signet, cords, and staff ([Genesis 38:15-18](/genesis/38-15-18 "Tamar's Disguise and Judah's Pledges")). Following this, Judah sent his friend, Hirah the Adullamite, to deliver the promised payment and retrieve his pledges, but Tamar could not be found in the location where she had been. Judah's statement in [Genesis 38:23](/genesis/38-23 "Judah's Fear of Shame") marks his decision to cut his losses, driven by a profound fear of public disgrace.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, honor and shame were foundational pillars of social structure and personal identity. Public reputation was paramount, and any act that brought shame upon an individual or their family could result in severe social ostracism, loss of status, and even legal repercussions. Judah's fear of being "shamed" (Hebrew: _bûz_) reflects this deep cultural value. Furthermore, the practice of giving pledges (collateral) was common in commercial and personal agreements, signifying a binding commitment. The items Judah gave—his signet, cords, and staff—were not merely valuable but were deeply personal symbols of his identity, authority, and status. The signet ring, in particular, was used to seal documents and represented the owner's legal authority. Judah's willingness to forfeit such significant items underscores the intensity of his fear of public exposure and the scandal associated with consorting with a cult prostitute, especially given his familial position.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 38, including [Genesis 38:23](/genesis/38-23 "Judah's Fear of Shame"), contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the pervasive theme of **human sin and moral failure** within even the lineage chosen by God, contrasting sharply with the integrity of Joseph in the subsequent chapters. The chapter underscores **God's sovereignty and providential work** even amidst human imperfection and scandalous circumstances, as the messianic line through Judah is preserved despite his moral failings. The narrative also explores the complex themes of **justice, righteousness, and the consequences of unfulfilled obligations**, particularly Judah's failure to provide an heir for Tamar and his subsequent illicit actions. Finally, the emphasis on Judah's fear of "shame" illuminates the powerful influence of **reputation and social standing** in ancient society, often overriding personal integrity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Judah (Hebrew, _Yᵉhûwdâh'_):** From a root meaning "celebrated," Judah is the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, and the progenitor of the tribe from which the Davidic monarchy and ultimately the Messiah would descend. In [Genesis 38:23](/genesis/38-23 "Judah's Fear of Shame"), his statement reveals a moment of moral compromise and self-preservation, highlighting his character development within the broader Genesis narrative.
* **kid (Hebrew, _gᵉdîy'_):** Refers to a young goat, specifically a male kid. In this context, it was the promised payment Judah was to send to Tamar, who he believed was a cult prostitute. The failure to deliver this kid and retrieve his pledges is the immediate cause of Judah's dilemma and his subsequent fear of public disgrace.
* **shamed (Hebrew, _bûwz'_):** Derived from a root meaning "disrespect" or "contempt," this word signifies public disgrace, humiliation, or being confounded. Judah's primary motivation in [Genesis 38:23](/genesis/38-23 "Judah's Fear of Shame") is to avoid this profound social and personal dishonor, indicating his deep concern for his reputation above all else at this moment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Judah said":** This introduces Judah's direct speech, revealing his immediate reaction and decision in response to Hirah's inability to find the woman. It signals a shift from the search to Judah's internal calculus regarding the situation.
* **"Let her take [it] to her":** This phrase expresses Judah's concession and abandonment of his pledges. He is essentially saying, "Let her keep them." The "it" refers to the pledges (signet, cords, staff) that Tamar held as collateral, implying that he is willing to forfeit them.
* **"lest we be shamed":** This is the core motivation behind Judah's decision. The Hebrew word implies a deep fear of public disgrace, ridicule, or being exposed as foolish or immoral. Judah's primary concern is the preservation of his reputation and the avoidance of scandal within his community, outweighing his desire to recover his valuable property.
* **"behold, I sent this kid":** Judah states his justification, emphasizing that he upheld his part of the agreement by sending the promised payment. This serves as an attempt to rationalize his decision and perhaps to alleviate his own conscience, shifting the blame for the unresolved situation away from himself.
* **"and thou hast not found her":** This final clause highlights the practical impasse. The woman (Tamar) could not be located, making it impossible to complete the transaction and retrieve the pledges. This factual obstacle, combined with Judah's fear of shame, solidifies his decision to simply let the matter drop.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in [Genesis 38:23](/genesis/38-23 "Judah's Fear of Shame") employs several significant literary devices. There is profound **Irony** in Judah's desperate attempt to avoid public shame, given that his actions will ultimately be exposed in a far more humiliating manner later in the chapter ([Genesis 38:26](/genesis/38-26 "Judah's Confession")). His fear of immediate disgrace leads him to a decision that, ironically, sets the stage for a greater, unavoidable public reckoning. The verse also serves as a point of **Characterization**, vividly portraying Judah's moral state at this juncture: he is more concerned with external appearances and social standing than with internal integrity or the moral implications of his actions. This contrasts sharply with the integrity of Joseph, whose story immediately follows this interlude. Furthermore, the phrase "lest we be shamed" functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the inevitable revelation and public acknowledgment of Judah's sin that will occur when Tamar presents his pledges as proof of paternity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judah's decision in [Genesis 38:23](/genesis/38-23 "Judah's Fear of Shame") powerfully illustrates the entangling nature of sin and the human tendency to prioritize reputation over righteousness. His fear of public disgrace leads him to compromise further, willing to forfeit significant possessions to cover up his illicit actions. This highlights a universal human inclination to avoid immediate discomfort or social condemnation, even if it means perpetuating a deception or sacrificing integrity. However, the broader narrative of Judah and Tamar also serves as a profound testament to God's sovereignty, demonstrating His ability to work through the moral failures and scandalous circumstances of humanity to accomplish His redemptive purposes, ultimately preserving the lineage through which the Messiah would come.

* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs on Confession and Concealment")
* [Luke 12:2-3](/luke/12-2-3 "Nothing Hidden That Will Not Be Revealed")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Sowing and Reaping")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judah's desperate attempt to avoid shame in [Genesis 38:23](/genesis/38-23 "Judah's Fear of Shame") offers a timeless and sobering lesson for believers today. His willingness to abandon valuable pledges to prevent immediate exposure illustrates how the fear of public scrutiny can lead to further compromise and a deeper entanglement in sin. For us, this serves as a potent reminder that true honor and lasting peace do not come from desperately trying to cover up wrongdoing or save face, but from living with integrity and courageously facing the consequences of our actions. Sin often creates complex, embarrassing, and difficult situations, and while Judah sought to avoid immediate discomfort, his actions ultimately led to a more profound and unavoidable revelation of his unrighteousness. As followers of Christ, we are called to pursue truth and integrity, trusting that God, in His sovereignty, can even weave our failings into His larger redemptive purposes when we confess them and turn to Him. Our ultimate concern should be God's honor, not our own fleeting reputation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to prioritize reputation or comfort over integrity and truth?**
* **How does the fear of "shame" or public disapproval influence your decisions, and how can you counter this with a greater fear of God?**
* **What steps can you take to cultivate a heart that values righteousness and honesty, even when it is difficult or costly?**

### FAQ
**Why was Judah so concerned about being "shamed"?**

Answer: Judah's concern about being "shamed" (Hebrew: _bûz_) was primarily about public disgrace, humiliation, and the severe damage to his social standing and reputation within his community. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, honor and shame were paramount, and public exposure of illicit behavior, especially with a cult prostitute, could lead to severe social ostracism, loss of status, and deep personal dishonor. He feared the scandal and humiliation that would ensue if his actions with Tamar, disguised as a harlot, became known to his family and the wider community. This fear was so strong that he was willing to abandon valuable personal items to prevent the immediate revelation.

**What was the significance of the pledges Judah gave Tamar?**

Answer: The pledges—Judah's signet, cords, and staff—were far more than mere valuable items; they were deeply personal symbols of his identity, authority, and status. The signet ring was used to seal documents and indicated his legal authority and personal signature. The staff could also be a mark of leadership or a unique identifier. By taking these specific items, Tamar secured undeniable and irrefutable proof of Judah's paternity, which would be crucial later in the narrative to establish the truth of her pregnancy and Judah's responsibility, forcing him to acknowledge his sin and her righteousness in [Genesis 38:26](/genesis/38-26 "Judah's Confession").

**How does this story of Judah and Tamar fit into the larger narrative of Genesis?**

Answer: The story of Judah and Tamar (found in [Genesis 38](/genesis/38 "The Story of Judah and Tamar")) serves as a significant and deliberate digression within the main narrative of Joseph. Theologically, it highlights the moral failings and complexities within the patriarchal family, contrasting sharply with Joseph's integrity and faithfulness in the subsequent chapters ([Genesis 39](/genesis/39 "Joseph in Potiphar's House")). Critically, this chapter ensures the continuation of the messianic line through Judah. Tamar bears twins, Perez and Zerah, and it is through Perez that the lineage of David and ultimately Jesus Christ is traced, as explicitly recorded in the New Testament genealogies (e.g., [Matthew 1:3](/matthew/1-3 "Tamar in Christ's Genealogy")). This demonstrates God's sovereign plan unfolding despite human sin, moral compromise, and unconventional circumstances, underscoring His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Judah's actions in [Genesis 38:23](/genesis/38-23 "Judah's Fear of Shame") reveal his deep moral failings and profound fear of public shame, the broader narrative of Judah and Tamar ultimately points to Christ through God's redemptive and sovereign plan. Despite Judah's sin and his attempt to cover it up, God orchestrates events to preserve the lineage through which the Messiah would come. Tamar, through her unconventional and morally ambiguous actions, ensures the continuation of Judah's line, bearing Perez, who is explicitly named in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in [Matthew 1:3](/matthew/1-3 "Tamar in Christ's Genealogy"). This highlights a profound theological truth: God's grace and faithfulness are not contingent upon human perfection but triumph over human sin and weakness, demonstrating His ability to work through flawed individuals and scandalous circumstances to bring about His ultimate salvation. Just as Judah's sin was exposed and he was brought to a place of confession ([Genesis 38:26](/genesis/38-26 "Judah's Confession")), so too does Christ offer a path for humanity to be freed from the shame and bondage of sin, not by covering it up, but by confessing it and finding forgiveness and new life in Him ([1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "Confession and Forgiveness")). Christ, the true Lamb of God, takes away the sin of the world, bearing our shame so that we might have true honor and righteousness before God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Jesus Endured the Cross, Despising Its Shame")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 16:15

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

2 Corinthians 4:2

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Proverbs 6:33

A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

Ephesians 5:12

For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Romans 6:21

What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is] death.

2 Samuel 12:9

Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife [to be] thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.