King James Version
Genesis 38:15 in the King James Version says “When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.”
Genesis 38:15 · KJV
And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.
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
When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.
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?
And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it? a kid: Heb. a kid of the goats
KJV Study — Public Domain
“saw her”
H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
“When Judah”
H3063jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
“he thought”
H2803properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
“her to be an harlot”
H2181to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
“because she had covered”
H3680properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
“her face”
H6440the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
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.
Genesis 38:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.