Genesis 38

Genesis 38 interrupts the account of Joseph to tell the story of Judah and his family. After moving away from his brothers, Judah marries a Canaanite woman and has three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. Judah arranges for his firstborn Er to marry a woman named Tamar, but Er is “wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the Lord slew him” before Er could produce an heir.

Following custom, Judah instructs his second son Onan to fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law by marrying Tamar and providing children for his dead brother. However, Onan, knowing that any child born would not be considered his own, deliberately spills his seed on the ground during intercourse. This displeases God, who puts Onan to death as well.

Judah then promises Tamar that his third son Shelah will marry her when he grows up. But, afraid that Shelah also might die, Judah delays fulfilling this promise and sends Tamar back to her father’s house to wait. As time passes, Tamar realizes Judah has no intention of giving her to Shelah, even though Shelah has now grown up.

When Tamar learns that Judah is traveling to shear his sheep, she removes her widow’s clothes, covers herself with a veil, and sits in an open place “by the way to Timnath.” Judah, not recognizing her, mistakes her for a prostitute and propositions her. She agrees on the condition that he give her his signet, bracelets, and staff as a pledge until he sends payment of a young goat. After their encounter, Tamar goes back home and puts her widow’s garments back on.

When Judah sends a friend to deliver the promised goat and retrieve his personal items, the woman can’t be found. About three months later, Judah learns that Tamar is pregnant through prostitution. He angrily orders that she be brought out and burned. As she’s being brought out, Tamar produces Judah’s signet, bracelets, and staff, saying, “By the man, whose these are, am I with child.”

Judah recognizes his items and acknowledges that Tamar is more righteous than he is, as he failed to give her to his son Shelah as promised. Judah doesn’t sleep with her again.

When the time comes for Tamar to give birth, she delivers twins. During the delivery, one twin (Zarah) puts out his hand first, and the midwife ties a scarlet thread around it. But, he draws back his hand, and his brother (Pharez) comes out first.