Genesis 38:1

Translations

Modern

About that time, Judah left his brothers and settled near a man named Hirah, an Adullamite.

Traditional

And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.

Literal

And it came to pass at that time that Judah went down from his brothers, and settled to a man, an Adullamite, and his name was Hirah.

Latin

Eodem tempore, descendens Judas a fratribus suis, divertit ad virum Odollamitem, nomine Hiram.

Original

Hebrew

English

About that time, Judah left his brothers and settled near a man named Hirah, an Adullamite.

Notes

Genesis 38:1–30

The story of Judah and Tamar is a carefully placed break in the larger story. It shows what was happening in Judah’s family. Judah would later become an important leader. The story also shows the early stages of the family mixing with the people of the land. This helps explain why God sent the family to Egypt (chapters 39–47).

The Egyptians kept themselves separate from other peoples (43:32). Because of that, the Israelites were more likely to keep their own identity in Egypt than in Canaan.

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Judah Human Sexuality Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

1 Samuel 22:1
So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.
2 Kings 4:8
One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.
Genesis 19:2–3
…and said, “My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.”
Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
Micah 1:15
I will again bring a conqueror against you, O dweller of Mareshah. The glory of Israel will come to Adullam.
Joshua 15:35
Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,
Joshua 12:15
…the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;
Judges 4:18
Jael went out to greet Sisera and said to him, “Come in, my lord. Come in with me. Do not be afraid.” So he entered her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.
Proverbs 9:6
Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
2 Samuel 23:13
At harvest time, three of the thirty chief men went down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.

Parallels

1 Chronicles 2:3–4

People

Hirah: Judah's Adullamite friend Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Adullam: A Canaanite city, later fortified by Judah

Glossary

Adullam, Adullamite Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Genesis, Book of Hirah Jacob Patriarchs, Period of the

Topics

Adullam: An Ancient City of Canaan Adultery: Judah Hirah: An Adullamite Judah: Son of Jacob: Takes Two Wives

Genesis 38:1

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