Genesis 38:2

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

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.

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.

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

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

Commentary

Genesis 38:2 introduces a significant detour in the narrative of Judah, one of Jacob's sons, setting the stage for a period of moral decline in his life. This verse marks his departure from the family's immediate sphere and his engagement with the surrounding Canaanite culture.

Historical and Cultural Context

Chapter 38 serves as an interlude within the larger story of Joseph, directly following Judah's role in the selling of his brother Joseph into slavery (Genesis 37:26-27). After this event, Judah "went down from his brethren" (Genesis 38:1), suggesting a physical and perhaps spiritual distancing. His decision to marry a Canaanite woman was culturally significant. While not explicitly forbidden by Mosaic Law at this early stage, the patriarchal tradition emphasized marrying within the family or among those who revered the one true God (e.g., Abraham's instructions for Isaac's marriage in Genesis 24). Later, the Law would explicitly prohibit such unions due to the risk of idolatry and moral corruption (Deuteronomy 7:3-4).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Intermarriage and Assimilation: Judah's choice to marry a Canaanite woman, a "daughter of Shuah," highlights the danger of spiritual and cultural assimilation. The Canaanites were known for their idolatrous practices and moral depravity, posing a threat to the covenant people's distinct identity and faith.
  • Judah's Moral State: This verse foreshadows the moral failings that characterize Judah in this chapter, including broken promises and sexual misconduct. It paints a picture of a man who, at this point, was not walking in the ways of his forefathers.
  • God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Flaws: Despite Judah's choices and the subsequent events of this chapter, God's overarching plan for the lineage of the Messiah continues through him. This narrative demonstrates how God works through imperfect individuals and circumstances to achieve His divine purposes, as evidenced by Judah's pivotal role in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:3).

Linguistic Insights

The term "Canaanite" (Hebrew: Kena'ani) refers to the inhabitants of the land promised to Abraham's descendants. Their religious and social practices were often antithetical to the emerging covenant faith. The phrase "went in unto her" is a common biblical euphemism for sexual intercourse, indicating the consummation of the marriage.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a cautionary tale about the influence of ungodly associations and the importance of making wise choices in relationships, particularly marriage. It underscores the potential for spiritual compromise when one integrates too deeply with cultures that do not share core values or reverence for God. However, it also offers a profound message of hope: even through the flawed actions of individuals, God remains sovereign and capable of fulfilling His promises, demonstrating His grace and ability to work through and transform imperfect people, as Judah's later transformation in the Joseph narrative reveals (Genesis 44:18-34).

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Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 2:3 (5 votes)

    The sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah: [which] three were born unto him of the daughter of Shua the Canaanitess. And Er, the firstborn of Judah, was evil in the sight of the LORD; and he slew him.

  • Genesis 24:3 (4 votes)

    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 6:2 (2 votes)

    That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they [were] fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

  • Genesis 34:2 (2 votes)

    And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.

  • Judges 16:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.

  • Genesis 3:6 (2 votes)

    ¶ And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

  • Genesis 6:4 (2 votes)

    ¶ There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare [children] to them, the same [became] mighty men which [were] of old, men of renown.