Genesis 38:26

Translations

Modern

Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.

Traditional

And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

Literal

And Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I, for upon thus I did not give her to Shelah my son.” And he did not continue to know her anymore.

Latin

Qui, agnitis muneribus, ait: Justior me est: quia non tradidi eam Sela filio meo. Attamen ultra non cognovit eam.

Original

Hebrew

English

Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.

Notes

Genesis 38:26

She is more righteous than I: Judah admitted he had failed to provide an heir. It was wrong for Judah to visit a prostitute, but Tamar had a legal right to have Judah's child and acted on it.

In the book of Ruth, the elders gave a similar blessing at the marriage of Boaz and Ruth. They prayed that God would make Ruth like Tamar (Ruth 4:12; compare Matthew 1:3, 5).

Genesis 38:24–26

Judah acted hypocritically by condemning Tamar to death for adultery. When Tamar showed his seal, cord, and walking stick, it proved Judah was the father. He then withdrew the condemnation.

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 24:17
…and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.
1 Peter 4:2–3
Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
Titus 2:11–12
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.
John 8:9
When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there.
Romans 3:19
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
2 Samuel 24:17
When David saw the angel striking down the people, he said to the LORD, “Surely I, the shepherd, have sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please, let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house.”
Genesis 37:33
His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!”
Matthew 3:8
Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.
Job 40:5
I have spoken once, but I have no answer—twice, but I have nothing to add.”
Genesis 4:1
And Adam had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man,” she said.
Job 4:5
But now trouble has come upon you, and you are weary. It strikes you, and you are dismayed.
Habakkuk 1:13
Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

Parallels

1 Chronicles 2:3–4

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province Shelah: Judah's youngest son and his descendants

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Genesis, Book of Jacob Judah (Person) Justification, Justified Patriarchs, Period of the

Topics

Judah: Son of Jacob: His Incest with his Daughter-In-Law Shelah: Son of Judah

Genesis 38:26

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