King James Version

What Does Genesis 38:16 Mean?

Genesis 38:16 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Genesis 38:16 · KJV

Prayer

Context

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?

17

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

18

And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.

Read Genesis 38 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he k... 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. What theological truths about Judah and Tamar emerge from this passage?
  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 · 22 words
וַיֵּ֨ט1 of 22

“And he turned”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

אֵלֶ֜יהָ2 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶל3 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ4 of 22

“unto her by the way”

H1870

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

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙5 of 22

“And she said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָֽבָה6 of 22

“Go to”

H3051

to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come

נָּא֙7 of 22
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

תָב֖וֹא8 of 22

“I pray thee let me come in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלַ֔יִךְ9 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כִּ֚י10 of 22
H3588

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

לֹ֣א11 of 22
H3808

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

יָדַ֔ע12 of 22

“unto thee (for he knew”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֥י13 of 22
H3588

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

כַלָּת֖וֹ14 of 22

“not that she was his daughter in law”

H3618

a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife

הִ֑וא15 of 22
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

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙16 of 22

“And she said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מַה17 of 22
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תִּתֶּן18 of 22

“What wilt thou give”

H5414

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

לִּ֔י19 of 22
H0
כִּ֥י20 of 22
H3588

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

תָב֖וֹא21 of 22

“I pray thee let me come in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלָֽי׃22 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

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 38:16 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 38:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Timothy 6:102 Samuel 13:11Matthew 26:15Deuteronomy 23:18Ezekiel 16:33

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