Genesis 38:23 - Forerunner Commentary

Genesis 38:23

21 Then he asked the men of that place, saying, “Where is the harlot who was¹ openly by the roadside?” And they said, “There was no harlot in this place.”

22 So he returned to Judah and said, “I cannot find her. Also, the men of the place said there was no harlot in this place.”

23 Then Judah said, “Let her take them for herself, lest we be shamed; for I sent this young goat and you have not found her.”

24 And it came to pass, about three months after, that Judah was told, saying, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has ^aplayed the harlot; furthermore she is¹ with child by harlotry.” So Judah said, “Bring her out ^band let her be burned!”

25 When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “By the man to whom these belong, I am with child.” And she said, ^a“Please determine whose these are—the signet and cord, and staff.”

26 So Judah ^aacknowledged them and said, ^b“She has been more righteous than I, because ^cI did not give her to Shelah my son.” And he ^dnever knew her again.

27 Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb.

28 And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.”

Verse Comparison: Genesis 38:23

<< Genesis 38:22

Genesis 38:24 >>

American Standard Version
And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be put to shame: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.

Amplified® Bible
And Judah said, Let her keep [the pledge articles] for herself, lest we be made ashamed. I sent this kid, but you have not found her.

Contemporary English Version
"If you couldn't find her, we'll just let her keep the things I gave her," Judah answered. "And we'd better forget about the goat, or else we'll look like fools."

Darby English Version
Then Judah said, Let her take [it] for herself, lest we be put to shame. Behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.

Good News Bible
Judah said, "Let her keep the things. We don't want people to laugh at us. I did try to pay her, but you couldn't find her."

King James Version
And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.

New American Standard Bible
Then Judah said, "Let her keep them, otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her."

New International Version
Then Judah said, "Let her keep what she has, or we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you didn't find her."

New King James Version
Then Judah said, “Let her take them for herself, lest we be shamed; for I sent this young goat and you have not found her.”

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Then Judah said, "Let her keep them, otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her."

Revised Standard Version
And Judah replied, "Let her keep the things as her own, lest we be laughed at; you see, I sent this kid, and you could not find her."

Young's Literal Translation
and Judah saith, `Let her take to herself, lest we become despised; lo, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.'

New English Translation
Judah said, “Let her keep the things¹ for herself. Otherwise we will appear to be dishonest.² I did indeed send this young goat, but you couldn’t find her.”

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Genesis 38:24 >>

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