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CHAPTER STUDY WORKSPACE

Genesis 38

Genesis 38 turns from Joseph to Judah. Judah marries a Canaanite woman and has sons Er, Onan, and Shelah. After Er dies, Onan refuses his levirate responsibility and is judged. Judah then withholds Shelah from Tamar. Tamar disguises herself, and Judah unknowingly fathers twins by her. When Judah later condemns her pregnancy, Tamar produces his identifying pledge, and Judah admits, “She hath been more righteous than I.” Perez and Zerah are born.

OVERVIEW

What is happening here?

Genesis 38 turns from Joseph to Judah. Judah marries a Canaanite woman and has sons Er, Onan, and Shelah. After Er dies, Onan refuses his levirate responsibility and is judged. Judah then withholds Shelah from Tamar. Tamar disguises herself, and Judah unknowingly fathers twins by her. When Judah later condemns her pregnancy, Tamar produces his identifying pledge, and Judah admits, “She hath been more righteous than I.” Perez and Zerah are born.

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CHAPTER OUTLINE

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Verses 1–5Judah's sons are bornVerses 6–11Tamar is widowed and waits for ShelahVerses 12–23Tamar disguises herself and meets JudahVerses 24–26Judah acknowledges his wrong toward TamarVerses 27–30Pharez and Zarah are born
VERSE STUDIES

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1And it came to pass at that time, that Judah…2And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite,…3And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called…4And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she…5And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and…6And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose…7And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of…8And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's…9And Onan knew that the seed should not be his;…10And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore…11Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain…12And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's…13And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in…14And she put her widow's garments off from her, and…15When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an…16And he turned unto her by the way, and said,…17And he said, I will send thee a kid from…18And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And…19And she arose, and went away, and laid by her…20And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his…21Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where…22And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find…23And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest…24And it came to pass about three months after, that…25When she was brought forth, she sent to her father…26And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more…27And it came to pass in the time of her…28And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the…29And it came to pass, as he drew back his…30And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet…