“And when Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.”
This verse is a part of the narrative in Genesis that describes an incident involving Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel). Here, Judah encounters a woman by the roadside whom he assumes to be a prostitute due to her covering her face.
To understand the context of this verse, it is important to look at the broader story in Genesis 38. Judah had three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. Judah married a Canaanite woman and had three children with her. Er, the oldest son, married a woman named Tamar, but he died before they had any children. Following the custom of the time, Tamar was then married to Onan, Er’s younger brother, in a practice known as levirate marriage. However, Onan also died without producing an heir for his deceased brother.
After the death of both of her husbands, Tamar was left without a child or a husband. According to the levirate marriage custom, Judah was supposed to give his third son, Shelah, to Tamar as her husband. However, Judah failed to fulfill this obligation, possibly out of fear that Shelah might also die.
In Genesis 38:14, Tamar realizes that Judah has not given Shelah to her as promised, so she takes matters into her own hands. She disguises herself as a prostitute and covers her face, positioning herself on the road that Judah would pass by. When Judah encounters her, he does not recognize her and assumes she is a prostitute.
The significance of this verse lies in the subsequent events that unfold in the story. Judah propositions the woman (Tamar) and promises to give her a young goat in exchange for her services. However, Tamar requests a pledge until the goat is sent. Judah agrees and gives her his signet, cord, and staff as a pledge.
In the following verses, Tamar becomes pregnant from this encounter. When Judah later learns that Tamar is pregnant, he is outraged and orders her to be brought forth for punishment. However, Tamar presents the items Judah had given her as a pledge, proving that he was the father. Judah acknowledges his wrongdoing and declares that Tamar is more righteous than he is since he had failed to give her Shelah in marriage.
This account in Genesis 38:15 and the subsequent events highlight the themes of deceit, justice, and responsibility. Judah’s assumption about Tamar as a prostitute reveals his own moral failing, while Tamar’s actions, though unconventional, serve to hold Judah accountable for his failure to fulfill his obligations. Ultimately, this story sets the stage for the continuation of the line of Judah, which becomes significant in the broader narrative of the Hebrew Bible as the lineage from which King David and, later, Jesus Christ would emerge.
In summary, Genesis 38:15 showcases the initial misunderstanding between Judah and Tamar, leading to a significant turn of events that highlights themes of responsibility, justice, and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises through the lineage of Judah.
