King James Version

What Does Genesis 38:14 Mean?

Genesis 38:14 in the King James Version says “And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open plac...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. an open: Heb. the door of eyes, or, of Enajim”

Genesis 38:14 · KJV

Context

12

And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. in process: Heb. the days were multiplied

13

And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.

14

And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. an open: Heb. the door of eyes, or, of Enajim

15

When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.

16

And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?

Read Genesis 38 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַתָּסַר֩1 of 24

“And she put”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

בִּגְדֵ֨י2 of 24

“garments”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

אַלְמְנוּתָ֜הּ3 of 24

“her widow's”

H491

concrete, a widow; abstract, widowhood

מֵֽעָלֶ֗יהָ4 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וַתְּכַ֤ס5 of 24

“from her and covered her”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

בַּצָּעִיף֙6 of 24

“with a vail”

H6809

a veil

וַתִּתְעַלָּ֔ף7 of 24

“and wrapped herself”

H5968

to veil or cover; figuratively, to be languid

וַתֵּ֙שֶׁב֙8 of 24

“and sat in”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּפֶ֣תַח9 of 24

“place”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

עֵינַ֔יִם10 of 24

“an open”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

אֲשֶׁ֖ר11 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל12 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

דֶּ֣רֶךְ13 of 24

“which is by the way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

תִּמְנָ֑תָה14 of 24

“to Timnath”

H8553

timnah, the name of two places in palestine

כִּ֤י15 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

רָֽאֲתָה֙16 of 24

“for she saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

כִּֽי17 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

גָדַ֣ל18 of 24

“was grown”

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

שֵׁלָ֔ה19 of 24

“that Shelah”

H7956

shelah, the name of a postdiluvian patriarch and of an israelite

וְהִ֕וא20 of 24
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לֹֽא21 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נִתְּנָ֥ה22 of 24

“and she was not given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

ל֖וֹ23 of 24
H0
לְאִשָּֽׁה׃24 of 24

“unto him to wife”

H802

a woman

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 38:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 38:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 38:26Genesis 24:65Genesis 38:11-13Proverbs 7:12Jeremiah 3:2Ezekiel 16:25

Places in This Verse

EnaimSettlement · Modern: Khirbet Beit Ika · 31.69°N, 35.01°E2 verses across 1 book
Timnah 3Settlement · Modern: Tel Main · 31.41°N, 35.13°E3 verses across 1 book
View all places in Genesis 38 →

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