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HOLY BIBLE
BOOK OF GENESIS
GENESIS 38
1About that time, Judah left his brethren and settled near an Adullamite whose name was Hirah.
2There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite, named Shuah, and he married her and went in to her.
3She conceived and bore a son; and Judah named him Er.
4And she conceived again and bore a son; and she named him Onan.
5Then she conceived yet again and bore a son; and she named him Shelah. She was in Chezib when she bore him.
6And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn; her name was Tamar.
7But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; so the LORD slew him.
8Then Judah said to Onan, Go in to your brother's wife and marry her; raise up an heir for your brother.
9And Onan knew that the heir would not be his; so when he went into his brother's wife he spilled his seed upon the ground, so as not to provide an heir for his brother.
10And the thing which he did was evil in the LORD's sight; so He slew him also.
11Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at your father's house until my son Shelah grows up. For he thought, Lest perhaps he die also as his brethren did. So Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
12Some time afterward, Judah's wife, the daughter of Shuah died. When Judah's time of mourning was over, he went up to visit his sheep shearers in Tinmath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
13And Tamar was told, Your father-in-law is coming up to Timnath to shear his sheep.
14So she took off her widow's garments and covered her face with a veil. Wrapping herself up, she sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, yet she had not been given to him as a wife.
15When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot because she had covered her face.
16He turned aside to her by the way, and said, Please let me come in to you; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. And she replied, What will you give me, that you may come in to me?
17He answered, I will send you a kid from the flock. And she said, Will you give me a pledge until you send it?
18And he said, What pledge will I give you? She replied, Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand. So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him.
19Then she rose and went her way, removed her veil, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
20And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to redeem his pledge from the woman's hand; but Hirah could not find her.
21So he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot who was at Enaim by the way side? But they replied, There is no harlot in this place.
22So he returned to Judah, saying, I could not find her. Moreover, the men who lived there said, there is no harlot in this place.
23Judah said, Let her keep the things for herself, lest we be shamed; for I indeed send this young goat but you could not find her.
24About three months later Judah was told, Your daughter in law Tamar has played the harlot and now she is pregnant. Judah said, Bring her out and let her be burnt.
25When she was brought out she sent word to her father-in-law, saying, I am pregnant by the man to whom these belong. Then she said, Identify the one to whom the seal, cord, and staff belong.
26Judah recognized them and said, She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.
27When it was time for her to give birth, there were twins in her womb.
28While she was giving birth, one child put out his hand; the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his hand, saying, This one came out first.
29But then he drew back his hand, and his brother came out first. And she said, What a breach you have made for yourself! So he was named Perez.
30Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand; and he was named Zerah.
This is the Bible Overview
View Commentaries for Genesis Chapter 1
The Stories of the Bible – Read here
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,"
- 1 Corinthians 13:4
Bible Related Topics
- St. Basil the Great – Hexaemeron (Orthodox, 4th century)
- Description: Nine homilies on the six days of creation (Genesis 1:1-31), exploring both literal and spiritual meanings. Basil emphasizes God’s omnipotence, the instantaneous nature of creation, and the cosmos’s order, integrating philosophical insights with Scripture.
- Relevance: A foundational Orthodox text, ideal for your site’s authoritative exegesis.
- Source: Available in English via Fathers of the Church series (Catholic University of America Press) or CCEL.org (public domain).
- St. Ambrose of Milan – Hexaemeron (Catholic, 4th century)
- Description: Six sermons on the creation days, heavily influenced by St. Basil but adapted for a Latin audience. Ambrose blends literal and allegorical interpretations, focusing on God’s providence and creation’s harmony.
- Relevance: A key Catholic commentary, complementing Orthodox perspectives.
- Source: Public domain, available via NewAdvent.org or Fathers of the Church series.
- St. Ephrem the Syrian – Commentary on Genesis (Orthodox/Catholic, Syriac tradition, 4th century)
- Description: A verse-by-verse exegesis of Genesis, including Genesis 1, with a focus on literal interpretation and Syriac theological traditions. Ephrem’s concise style emphasizes doctrinal fidelity and spiritual insights.
- Relevance: Bridges Catholic and Orthodox traditions, ideal for your Septuagint-based focus.
- Source: Translated in St. Ephrem the Syrian: Selected Prose Works (Catholic University of America Press).
- St. Augustine of Hippo – The Literal Meaning of Genesis (Catholic, early 5th century)
- Description: Augustine’s detailed commentary explores literal and allegorical readings, proposing that the “days” of Genesis 1 may be instantaneous or symbolic, reflecting God’s eternal act. It addresses creation’s purpose and God’s eternity.
- Relevance: A cornerstone of Catholic exegesis, offering intellectual depth.
- Source: Public domain, available via NewAdvent.org or Works of St. Augustine.
- St. John Chrysostom – Homilies on Genesis (Orthodox, 4th century)
- Description: A series of 67 homilies, with several covering Genesis 1, focusing on literal interpretation and moral/spiritual lessons. Chrysostom’s pastoral style makes the text accessible yet profound.
- Relevance: Widely respected in Orthodox tradition, suitable for lay readers.
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