Genesis 38:11
New International Version
Judah then said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s household until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, just like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s household.

New Living Translation
Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Go back to your parents’ home and remain a widow until my son Shelah is old enough to marry you.” (But Judah didn’t really intend to do this because he was afraid Shelah would also die, like his two brothers.) So Tamar went back to live in her father’s home.

English Standard Version
Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, till Shelah my son grows up”—for he feared that he would die, like his brothers. So Tamar went and remained in her father’s house.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house.

King James Bible
Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.

New King James Version
Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house till my son Shelah is grown.” For he said, “Lest he also die like his brothers.” And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.

New American Standard Bible
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”; for he thought, “I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.

NASB 1995
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up"; for he thought, “I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.

NASB 1977
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”; for he thought, “I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”; for he thought, “I am afraid lest he also die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.

Amplified Bible
Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow at your father’s house until Shelah my [youngest] son is grown”; [but he was deceiving her] for he thought that [if Shelah should marry her] he too might die like his brothers did. So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He might die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He might die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house.

American Standard Version
Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow in thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown up; for he said, Lest he also die, like his brethren. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.

Contemporary English Version
Judah did not want the same thing to happen to his son Shelah, and he told Tamar, "Go home to your father and live there as a widow until my son Shelah is grown." So Tamar went to live with her father.

English Revised Version
Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow in thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown up: for he said, Lest he also die, like his brethren. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Return to your father's home. Live as a widow until my son Shelah grows up." He thought that this son, too, might die like his brothers. So Tamar went to live in her father's home.

Good News Translation
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Return to your father's house and remain a widow until my son Shelah grows up." He said this because he was afraid that Shelah would be killed, as his brothers had been. So Tamar went back home.

International Standard Version
After this, Judah told his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Go live as a widow in your father's house until my son Shelah grows up." But he was really thinking, "…otherwise, Shelah might die like his brothers." So Tamar left and lived in her father's house.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house.

NET Bible
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Live as a widow in your father's house until Shelah my son grows up." For he thought, "I don't want him to die like his brothers." So Tamar went and lived in her father's house.

New Heart English Bible
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah is grown up." For he thought, "I do not want him to die too, like his brothers. "So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son shall be grown; (for he said, Lest perhaps he die also as his brethren did:) and Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.

World English Bible
Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, until Shelah, my son, is grown up;” for he said, “Lest he also die, like his brothers.” Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Judah says to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Abide [as] a widow at your father’s house, until my son Shelah grows up”; for he said, “Lest he die—even he—like his brothers”; and Tamar goes and dwells at her father’s house.

Young's Literal Translation
And Judah saith to Tamar his daughter-in-law, 'Abide a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son groweth up;' for he said, 'Lest he die -- even he -- like his brethren;' and Tamar goeth and dwelleth at her father's house.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Judah will say to Tamar his daughter-in-law, Sit a widow in thy father's house, till Shelah my son shall be great; (for he said, Lest this also shall die as his brethren.) And Tamar will go and will sit in her father's house.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherefore Juda said to Thamar his daughter in law: Remain a widow in thy father's house, till Sela my son grow up: for he was afraid lest he also might die, as his brethren did. She went her way and dwelt in her father's house.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Because of this matter, Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Be a widow in your father’s house, until my son Shelah grows up.” For he was afraid, lest he also might die, just as his brothers did. She went away, and she lived in her father’s house.

New American Bible
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”—for he feared that Shelah also might die like his brothers. So Tamar went to live in her father’s house.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”—for he feared that he too would die, like his brothers. So Tamar went to live in her father’s house.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then said Judah to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow in your father's house, until my son Shelah grows up; for he said. Lest he die also, as his brothers did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yehuda said to Tamar his daughter in law, “Remain in widowhood in your father's house until Shela my son grows, because he said, “Lest he should die also as his brothers”, and Tamar went and she dwelt in her father's house.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law: 'Remain a widow in thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown up'; for he said: 'Lest he also die, like his brethren.' And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Judas said to Thamar, his daughter-in-law, Sit thou a widow in the house of thy father-in-law, until Selom my son be grown; for he said, lest he also die as his brethren; and Thamar departed, and sat in the house of her father.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judah and Tamar
10What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well. 11Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house. 12After a long time Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had finished mourning, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 25:5-10
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. / But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” ...

Ruth 1:11-13
But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands? / Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons, / would you wait for them to grow up? Would you refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, it is much more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.”

Matthew 22:24
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.

Mark 12:19
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.

Luke 20:28
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.

Leviticus 22:13
But if a priest’s daughter with no children becomes widowed or divorced and returns to her father’s house, she may share her father’s food as in her youth. But no outsider may share it.

Numbers 36:6-9
This is what the LORD has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: They may marry anyone they please, provided they marry within a clan of the tribe of their father. / No inheritance in Israel may be transferred from tribe to tribe, because each of the Israelites is to retain the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. / Every daughter who possesses an inheritance from any Israelite tribe must marry within a clan of the tribe of her father, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of his fathers. ...

1 Corinthians 7:39
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.

1 Timothy 5:3-5
Honor the widows who are truly widows. / But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. / The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.

1 Timothy 5:11-14
But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry, / and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith. / At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention. ...

Exodus 22:22-24
You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. / If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. / My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless.

1 Kings 11:1-4
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. ...

2 Samuel 14:5-7
“What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead. / And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. / Now the whole clan has risen up against your maidservant and said, ‘Hand over the one who struck down his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of the brother whom he killed. Then we will cut off the heir as well!’ So they would extinguish my one remaining ember by not preserving my husband’s name or posterity on the earth.”

Isaiah 54:4-5
Do not be afraid, for you will not be put to shame; do not be intimidated, for you will not be humiliated. For you will forget the shame of your youth and will remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. / For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.

Jeremiah 3:1
“If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers—and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at your father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brothers did. And Tamar went and dwelled in her father's house.

till Shelah.

Ruth 1:11,13
And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? …

in her.

Leviticus 22:13
But if the priest's daughter be a widow, or divorced, and have no child, and is returned unto her father's house, as in her youth, she shall eat of her father's meat: but there shall no stranger eat thereof.

Jump to Previous
Afraid Daughter Daughter-In-Law Die Dwelt Father's Grown Grows House Judah Peradventure Perhaps Shelah Tamar Thought Widow
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Afraid Daughter Daughter-In-Law Die Dwelt Father's Grown Grows House Judah Peradventure Perhaps Shelah Tamar Thought Widow
Genesis 38
1. Judah begets Er, Onan, and Shelah.
6. Er's marriage with Tamar, and death.
8. The trespass of Onan.
11. Tamar is reserved for Shelah.
12. Judah's wife dies.
13. Tamar deceives Judah.
27. She bears twins, Pharez and Zarah.














Then Judah said
The name "Judah" comes from the Hebrew "Yehudah," meaning "praise." Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, is a significant figure in biblical history, as his lineage leads to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ. This moment in Judah's life is pivotal, as it reflects his struggle with familial duty and personal fear. His words to Tamar are not just instructions but reveal his internal conflict and the weight of responsibility he carries.

to his daughter-in-law Tamar
Tamar, whose name means "palm tree" in Hebrew, symbolizes resilience and uprightness. As Judah's daughter-in-law, she is caught in a complex web of levirate marriage customs, which were designed to protect widows and ensure the continuation of a family line. Her account is one of perseverance and courage, as she navigates the challenges of her cultural and familial obligations.

Live as a widow
The phrase "live as a widow" indicates a state of mourning and social vulnerability. In ancient Near Eastern culture, widows were often marginalized and dependent on their families for support. Judah's directive to Tamar reflects the societal norms of the time, where a widow's future was uncertain and largely dependent on the goodwill of her male relatives.

in your father’s house
Returning to her father's house would have been a temporary solution for Tamar, providing her with shelter and protection. This phrase underscores the patriarchal structure of the society, where a woman's identity and security were tied to the men in her life. It also highlights Judah's reluctance to fulfill his duty to Tamar, as he sends her away rather than integrating her into his household.

until my son Shelah grows up
Shelah, whose name means "petition" or "request," represents the hope of future fulfillment of Judah's obligations to Tamar. This promise, however, is fraught with uncertainty, as Judah's fear for Shelah's life casts doubt on his intentions. The delay in fulfilling this promise sets the stage for the unfolding drama in Tamar's story.

For he thought, 'He may die too, like his brothers.'
Judah's fear that Shelah might die "like his brothers" reveals his superstitious belief that Tamar might be cursed or that there is a divine judgment upon his family. This fear reflects a common ancient belief in familial curses and the consequences of sin. Judah's internal struggle with this fear highlights his lack of faith and trust in God's providence.

So Tamar went to live in her father’s house
Tamar's return to her father's house is a significant act of obedience and patience. It demonstrates her willingness to abide by Judah's instructions, despite the uncertainty of her future. This action sets the stage for her later bold and decisive actions, which ultimately lead to the fulfillment of God's plan for Judah's lineage. Tamar's account is a testament to the power of faith and perseverance in the face of adversity.

(11) For he said, lest he also die.--It is evident from this that Judah, for reasons which, in Genesis 38:26, he acknowledged to be insufficient, wished to evade the duty of giving a third son to Tamar. It does not follow that he blamed her for their deaths; for the loss of two sons in succession might well frighten him. Philippsohn says that it became the rule, that if a woman lost two husbands, the third brother was not bound to marry her, and she was even called Katlannith. the murderess. (But see St. Matthew 22:25-26, where no such custom is acknowledged.)

Verse 11. - Then said Judah to Tamer his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow - alma-nah, from alam, to be solitary, forsaken, signifies one bereft of a husband, hence a widow (cf. Exodus 22:21) - at thy father's house (cf. Leviticus 22:13), till Shelah my son be grown. It is implied that this was merely a pretext on the part of Judah, and that he did not really intend to give his third son to Tamar, considering her an unlucky woman (Delitzsch, Keil, Kalisch), or, at least, not at present, under the impression that the deaths of Er and Onan had been occasioned by their too early marriages (Lange). The reason of his failure to release Tamar from her widowhood is added in the ensuing clause. For he said (sc. in his heart), Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamer went and dwelt in her father's house.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Judah
יְהוּדָה֩ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

said
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to his daughter-in-law
כַּלָּת֜וֹ (kal·lā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3618: Daughter-in-law, bride

Tamar,
לְתָמָ֨ר (lə·ṯā·mār)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8559: Tamar -- daughter-in-law of Judah, also two Israelite women, also a place South of the Dead Sea

“Live
שְׁבִ֧י (šə·ḇî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

as a widow
אַלְמָנָ֣ה (’al·mā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 490: A widow, a desolate place

in your father’s
אָבִ֗יךְ (’ā·ḇîḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1: Father

house
בֵית־ (ḇêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

my son
בְנִ֔י (ḇə·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Shelah
שֵׁלָ֣ה (šê·lāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7956: Shelah -- a son of Judah

grows up.”
יִגְדַּל֙ (yiḡ·dal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he thought,
אָמַ֔ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“He
ה֖וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

may
פֶּן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

die
יָמ֥וּת (yā·mūṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

too,
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

like his brothers.”
כְּאֶחָ֑יו (kə·’e·ḥāw)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

So Tamar
תָּמָ֔ר (tā·mār)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8559: Tamar -- daughter-in-law of Judah, also two Israelite women, also a place South of the Dead Sea

went
וַתֵּ֣לֶךְ (wat·tê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to live
וַתֵּ֖שֶׁב (wat·tê·šeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in her father’s
אָבִֽיהָ׃ (’ā·ḇî·hā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1: Father

house.
בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house


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OT Law: Genesis 38:11 Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 38:10
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