Genesis 38:24
New International Version
About three months later Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant.” Judah said, “Bring her out and have her burned to death!”

New Living Translation
About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has acted like a prostitute. And now, because of this, she’s pregnant.” “Bring her out, and let her be burned!” Judah demanded.

English Standard Version
About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality.” And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.”

Berean Standard Bible
About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!”

King James Bible
And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.

New King James Version
And it came to pass, about three months after, that Judah was told, saying, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has played the harlot; furthermore she is with child by harlotry.” So Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned!”

New American Standard Bible
Now it was about three months later that Judah was informed, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and behold, she is also pregnant by prostitution.” Then Judah said, “Bring her out and have her burned!”

NASB 1995
Now it was about three months later that Judah was informed, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has played the harlot, and behold, she is also with child by harlotry.” Then Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned!”

NASB 1977
Now it was about three months later that Judah was informed, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has played the harlot, and behold, she is also with child by harlotry.” Then Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned!”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened about three months later that it was told to Judah saying, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has played the harlot, and behold, she is also with child by harlotry.” Then Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned!”

Amplified Bible
About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has played the [role of a] prostitute, and she is with child because of her immorality.” So Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned [to death as punishment]!”

Christian Standard Bible
About three months later Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law, Tamar, has been acting like a prostitute, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out,” Judah said, “and let her be burned to death! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
About three months later Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law, Tamar, has been acting like a prostitute, and now she is pregnant."” Bring her out!” Judah said. “Let her be burned to death!”

American Standard Version
And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter-in-law hath played the harlot; and moreover, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.

Contemporary English Version
About three months later someone told Judah, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar has behaved like a prostitute, and now she's pregnant!" "Drag her out of town and burn her to death!" Judah shouted.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and moreover, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
About three months later Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar has been acting like a prostitute. What's more, because of it she's pregnant." Judah ordered, "Bring her out to be burned."

Good News Translation
About three months later someone told Judah, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar has been acting like a whore, and now she is pregnant." Judah ordered, "Take her out and burn her to death."

International Standard Version
Three months later, it was reported to Judah, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar has turned to prostitution! And look! She's pregnant because of it!" "Bring her out," Judah responded. "Let's burn her to death!"

Majority Standard Bible
About three months later, Judah was told, ?Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.? ?Bring her out!? Judah replied. ?Let her be burned to death!?

NET Bible
After three months Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar has turned to prostitution, and as a result she has become pregnant." Judah said, "Bring her out and let her be burned!"

New Heart English Bible
Now it happened about three months later that Judah was told, saying, "Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has turned to prostitution, and now, look, she is pregnant by prostitution. "Judah said, "Bring her out, and let her be burned."

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told to Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter-in-law hath played the harlot; and also, behold she is with child by lewdness: and Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.

World English Bible
About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute. Moreover, behold, she is with child by prostitution.” Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass about three months [after], that it is declared to Judah, saying, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has committed fornication; and also, behold, she has conceived by fornication”: and Judah says, “Bring her out—and she is burned.”

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass about three months after, that it is declared to Judah, saying, 'Tamar thy daughter-in-law hath committed fornication; and also, lo, she hath conceived by fornication:' and Judah saith, 'Bring her out -- and she is burnt.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be after three months, and it will be announced to Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter-in-law committed fornication; and also, behold, she conceived by fornication. And Judah will say, Bring her forth, and she shall be burnt.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And behold after three months they told a lie, saying: Thamar, thy daughter in law hath played the harlot, and she appeareth to have a big belly. And Juda said : Bring her out that she may be burnt.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And behold, after three months, they reported to Judah, saying, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has committed fornication and her abdomen appears to be enlarged.” And Judah said, “Produce her, so that she may be burned.”

New American Bible
About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has acted like a harlot and now she is pregnant from her harlotry.” Judah said, “Bring her out; let her be burned.”

New Revised Standard Version
About three months later Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has played the whore; moreover she is pregnant as a result of whoredom.” And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass, about three months later, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the harlot; and moreover, she is with child because of her harlotry. And Judah said, Bring her out, and let her be burned.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it was after three months and it was told Yehuda, and they said to him, “Tamar your daughter in law has committed fornication, and behold, she is pregnant by fornication”, and Yehuda said, “Bring her out and she will burn.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying: 'Tamar thy daughter-in-law hath played the harlot; and moreover, behold, she is with child by harlotry.' And Judah said: 'Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass after three months, that it was told Judas, saying, Thamar thy daughter-in-law has grievously played the harlot, and behold she is with child by whoredom; and Judas said, Bring her out, and let her be burnt.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judah and Tamar
23“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.” 24About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!” 25As she was being brought out, Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Please examine them. Whose seal and cord and staff are these?”…

Cross References
Leviticus 20:10
If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.

Deuteronomy 22:21-24
she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house, and there the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father’s house. So you must purge the evil from among you. / If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. / If there is a virgin pledged in marriage to a man, and another man encounters her in the city and sleeps with her, ...

John 8:3-5
The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them / and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. / In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?”

Matthew 1:3
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.

Hosea 4:14
I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.

Ezekiel 16:38
And I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and those who shed blood; so I will bring upon you the wrath of your bloodshed and jealousy.

1 Corinthians 5:1-5
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. / And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this? / Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. ...

1 Samuel 2:22-25
Now Eli was very old, and he heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. / “Why are you doing these things?” Eli said to his sons. “I hear about your wicked deeds from all these people. / No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people. ...

Jeremiah 29:23
For they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with the wives of their neighbors and speaking lies in My name, which I did not command them to do. I am He who knows, and I am a witness, declares the LORD.”

Numbers 5:11-31
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him / by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act), ...

2 Samuel 12:5-7
David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan: “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! / Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.” / Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.

Proverbs 6:32-33
He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. / Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away.

Romans 2:22
You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

Amos 2:7
They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the earth; they push the needy out of their way. A man and his father have relations with the same girl and so profane My holy name.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar your daughter in law has played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by prostitution. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.

played the harlot.

Genesis 34:31
And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?

Judges 19:2
And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father's house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there four whole months.

Ecclesiastes 7:26
And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

let her.

Genesis 20:3,7,9
But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife…

Leviticus 20:10
And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

Leviticus 21:9
And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.

Jump to Previous
Burnt Child Daughter Daughter-In-Law Forth Harlot Informed Judah Later Months Moreover Played Prostitute Prostitution Tamar Three Whoredom
Jump to Next
Burnt Child Daughter Daughter-In-Law Forth Harlot Informed Judah Later Months Moreover Played Prostitute Prostitution Tamar Three Whoredom
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.














About three months later
This phrase indicates a passage of time since Tamar's actions with Judah. The three-month period is significant as it aligns with the time when pregnancy becomes noticeable. This timing is crucial in the narrative, as it sets the stage for the revelation of Tamar's condition and the subsequent confrontation.

Judah was told
Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, is informed of Tamar's situation. This reflects the patriarchal society where men held authority and were often the first to receive important news. Judah's role as a leader in his family and community is highlighted here.

“Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself
The accusation against Tamar is severe, reflecting the cultural and legal standards of the time. In ancient Near Eastern societies, sexual immorality, especially for women, was met with harsh penalties. The term "prostituted" suggests a breach of social and familial expectations, as Tamar was expected to remain chaste while waiting for Judah's youngest son, Shelah.

and now she is pregnant.”
Tamar's pregnancy is the evidence of her alleged wrongdoing. In the context of the narrative, this pregnancy is pivotal, as it ultimately leads to the revelation of Judah's own actions. The pregnancy also serves as a turning point in the story, highlighting themes of justice and redemption.

“Bring her out!” Judah replied.
Judah's immediate reaction is one of judgment and authority. His command to bring Tamar out reflects the legal practices of the time, where the accused would be brought before the community for judgment. This response also underscores Judah's initial lack of awareness of his own culpability in the situation.

“Let her be burned to death!”
The punishment Judah calls for is severe, indicating the gravity of the perceived offense. Burning was a form of capital punishment reserved for the most serious transgressions, such as adultery or prostitution, according to some interpretations of Mosaic Law. This harsh sentence reflects the cultural and legal norms of the time, as well as Judah's initial self-righteousness. However, this moment also sets the stage for Judah's eventual recognition of his own sin and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Tamar's lineage, which ultimately leads to the birth of King David and, later, Jesus Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Judah
One of the twelve sons of Jacob, Judah is a central figure in this account. He is the one who orders Tamar to be brought out and burned, highlighting his initial hypocrisy and later repentance.

2. Tamar
The daughter-in-law of Judah, who disguises herself as a prostitute to secure her rights and future within Judah's family line after being wronged.

3. The unnamed messenger
The person who informs Judah about Tamar's supposed prostitution and pregnancy, setting the stage for Judah's reaction.

4. The event of accusation
This is the pivotal moment where Judah is confronted with Tamar's pregnancy, leading to his initial harsh judgment.

5. The place of judgment
Although not explicitly named, the setting is likely within Judah's community, where public judgment and punishment would be carried out.
Teaching Points
Hypocrisy and Repentance
Judah's initial reaction is hypocritical, as he fails to see his own sin. This account teaches the importance of self-reflection and repentance.

God's Sovereignty in Redemption
Despite human sin and failure, God's plan prevails. Tamar's inclusion in the lineage of Christ demonstrates God's ability to redeem and use flawed individuals.

Justice and Mercy
The account challenges us to consider the balance between justice and mercy, urging us to act with compassion and understanding.

Cultural and Legal Contexts
Understanding the cultural and legal norms of the time helps us see the gravity of Tamar's situation and Judah's response.

The Role of Women in God's Plan
Tamar's bold actions and her place in Jesus' genealogy highlight the significant roles women play in God's redemptive history.(24) Let her be burnt.--As being by law the wife of Shelah, Tamar was condemned by Judah in right of his position, as head of the family, to the punishment usual for adultery. In subsequent times, this penalty was limited to one who had married mother and daughter (Leviticus 20:14); or to the daughter of a priest guilty of unchastity (Leviticus 21:9). On this account, the Jewish expositors argue that Tamar belonged to a priestly family, and some even think that she was descended from Melchisedek.

Verse 24. - And it same to pass about three months after (the usual time at which pregnancy is certainly determined), that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter-in-law hath played the harlot (or, acted as a zonah); and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said (altogether unmindful of his own iniquity three months previous), Bring her forth, and let her be burnt. Under the law stoning was the punishment allotted to the crime of Tamar (Deuteronomy 22:20-24), burning being added only in cases of excessive criminality (Leviticus 20:14; Leviticus 21:9). It is obvious that the power of life and death lay in the hand of Judah, as the head of his family.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
About
וַיְהִ֣י ׀ (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

three
כְּמִשְׁלֹ֣שׁ (kə·miš·lōš)
Preposition-k, Preposition-m | Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

months later,
חֳדָשִׁ֗ים (ḥo·ḏā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month

Judah
לִֽיהוּדָ֤ה (lî·hū·ḏāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

was told,
וַיֻּגַּ֨ד (way·yug·gaḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hofal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

“Your daughter-in-law
כַּלָּתֶ֔ךָ (kal·lā·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3618: Daughter-in-law, bride

Tamar
תָּמָ֣ר (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

has prostituted herself,
זָֽנְתָה֙ (zā·nə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2181: To commit adultery, to commit idolatry

and
וְגַ֛ם (wə·ḡam)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

now
הִנֵּ֥ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

she is pregnant.”
הָרָ֖ה (hā·rāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2030: Pregnant

“Bring her out!”
הוֹצִיא֖וּהָ (hō·w·ṣî·’ū·hā)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

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

replied.
לֵֽאמֹר֙ (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Let her be burned to death!”
וְתִשָּׂרֵֽף׃ (wə·ṯiś·śā·rêp̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 8313: To be, on fire


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OT Law: Genesis 38:24 It happened about three months later that (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 38:23
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