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◄ Genesis 38:23►

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 Living Translation
“Then let her keep the things I gave her,” Judah said. “I sent the young goat as we agreed, but you couldn’t find her. We’d be the laughingstock of the village if we went back again to look for her.”

English Standard Version
And Judah replied, “Let her keep the things as her own, or we shall be laughed at. You see, I sent this young goat, and you did not find her.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Let her keep the items,” Judah replied. “Otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you could not find her.”

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

New King James Version
Then Judah said, “Let her takethem for herself, lest we be shamed; for I sent this young goat and you have 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.”

NASB 1995
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.”

NASB 1977
Then Judah said, “Let her keep them, lest we become a laughingstock. After all, I sent this kid, but you did not find her.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Judah said, “Let her keep them, lest we become a laughingstock. Behold, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her.”

Amplified Bible
Then Judah said, “Let her keep the things (pledge articles) for herself, otherwise we will be a laughingstock [searching everywhere for her]. After all, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her.”

Christian Standard Bible
Judah replied, “Let her keep the items for herself; otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send this young goat, but you couldn’t find her.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Judah replied, “Let her keep the items for herself; otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send this young goat, but you couldn’t find her.”

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.

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."

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Judah said, "Let her keep what I gave her, or we'll become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you couldn't find her."

Good News Translation
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."

International Standard Version
Then Judah said, "Let her have those things. Otherwise, we'll become contemptible. I sent this young goat, but you didn't find her."

NET Bible
Judah said, "Let her keep the things for herself. Otherwise we will appear to be dishonest. I did indeed send this young goat, but you couldn't find her."

New Heart English Bible
Judah said, "Let her keep the things, lest we be publicly shamed. Look, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
“Let her keep the items,” Judah replied. “Otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you could not find her.”

World English Bible
Judah said, “Let her keep it, lest we be shamed. Behold, I sent this young goat, and you haven’t found her.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and Judah says, “Let her take to herself, lest we become despised; behold, I sent this kid, and you have not found 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.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Judah will say, She shall take to her, lest we shall be for a contempt: Behold, I sent this kid, and thou didst not find her.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Juda said : Let her take it to herself ; surely she cannot charge us with a,lie: I sent the kid which I promised: and thou didst not find her.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Judah said: “Let her hold herself to blame. Certainly, she is not able to accuse us of a lie. I sent the young goat that I had promised, and you did not find her.”

New American Bible
“Let her keep the things,” Judah replied; “otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you did not find her.”

New Revised Standard Version
Judah replied, “Let her keep the things as her own, otherwise we will be laughed at; you see, I sent this kid, and you could not find her.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Judah said, Let her keep the pledge, lest I be laughed at; behold, I sent this kid, but you could not find her.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yehuda said, “She may take it, lest I be a laughing stock; behold, I have sent this kid and you have not found her.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Judah said: 'Let her take it, lest we be put to shame; behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Judas said, Let her have them, but let us not be ridiculed; I sent this kid, but thou hast not found her.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Judah and Tamar
…22So Hirah returned to Judah and said, “I could not find her, and furthermore, the men of that place said, ‘No shrine prostitute has been here.’ ”23“Let her keep the items,”Judah replied.“Otherwise we will become a laughingstock.After all,I did send her this young goat,but you could not find her.”24About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!”…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 22:21
she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house, and there the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father’s house. So you must purge the evil from among you.

Leviticus 19:29
You must not defile your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will be prostituted and filled with depravity.

Proverbs 6:26
For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.

Proverbs 7:10
Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart.

Hosea 4:14
I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.

Ezekiel 16:32
You adulterous wife! You receive strangers instead of your own husband!

Jeremiah 3:3
Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed.

Isaiah 57:3
“But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!

1 Samuel 2:24
No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people.

2 Samuel 13:12-13
“No, my brother!” she cried. “Do not violate me, for such a thing should never be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! / Where could I ever take my shame? And you would be like one of the fools in Israel! Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”

Matthew 1:3
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.

Matthew 21:31-32
Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. / For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Luke 15:30
But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

John 8:3-11
The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them / and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. / In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” ...

Romans 1:24-27
Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. / They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. / For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. ...

Treasury of Scripture

And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and you have not found her.

lest we.

2 Samuel 12:9
Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wifeto be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

Proverbs 6:33
A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

Romans 6:21
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those thingsis death.

be shamed.

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Genesis 38

1.Judah begets Er, Onan, and Shelah.
6.Er's marriage with Tamar, and death.
8.The trespass of Onan.
11.Tamar is reserved for Shelah.
12.Judah's wife dies.
13.Tamar deceives Judah.
27.She bears twins, Pharez and Zarah.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Let her keep the items,
Judah's decision to let Tamar keep the items—his seal, cord, and staff—reflects a significant moment of concession. These items were personal identifiers, akin to a modern-day signature or ID, symbolizing authority and identity. In the cultural context, these items were valuable and personal, indicating Judah's initial desperation to retrieve them. This phrase highlights the importance of personal integrity and the consequences of one's actions, as Judah's decision to leave the items with Tamar ultimately leads to his public acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

Judah replied.
Judah's response is crucial in the narrative, as it shows his attempt to manage the situation discreetly. His role as a leader among his brothers and the ancestor of the tribe of Judah is significant. This moment foreshadows his later transformation and leadership qualities, which become more evident in his interactions with Joseph in Egypt. Judah's character development is a key theme in Genesis, illustrating the potential for repentance and change.

Otherwise we will become a laughingstock.
Judah's concern about becoming a laughingstock reveals the societal pressures and the importance of reputation in ancient Near Eastern culture. Honor and shame were central to social dynamics, and Judah feared public disgrace. This concern for reputation over righteousness is a recurring biblical theme, reminding readers of the importance of integrity over societal approval. The fear of public shame often influenced decisions, as seen in other biblical narratives, such as Saul's actions in 1 Samuel.

After all, I did send her this young goat,
The young goat was the agreed-upon payment for Tamar's services, reflecting the economic transactions of the time. Livestock was a common form of currency and wealth. Judah's insistence on fulfilling his promise, despite the circumstances, highlights the cultural emphasis on keeping one's word. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of sacrifice and atonement, as goats were often used in sacrificial systems, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

but you could not find her.
The inability to find Tamar underscores the theme of hiddenness and revelation in the narrative. Tamar's strategic disappearance sets the stage for her later vindication. This phrase also highlights the limitations of human efforts and understanding, as God's providential plan unfolds despite human actions. The motif of searching and not finding is echoed in other biblical stories, such as the search for Elijah in 2 Kings, emphasizing the divine orchestration of events beyond human control.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Judah
One of the twelve sons of Jacob, Judah is a central figure in this account. He is the one who decides to send a young goat as payment for services rendered, highlighting his role in the unfolding events.

2.Tamar
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Tamar is the woman involved in the transaction with Judah. She disguises herself to secure her rights and future, playing a pivotal role in the account.

3.The Young Goat
This is the promised payment from Judah to Tamar, symbolizing a transaction and a broken promise when it is not delivered.

4.The Items
These refer to Judah's seal, cord, and staff, which Tamar keeps as a pledge. They are significant as they later serve as proof of Judah's involvement with her.

5.The Laughingstock
This term reflects Judah's concern about public perception and reputation, indicating the social dynamics and potential shame involved in the situation.

Teaching Points

The Consequences of Sin
Judah's actions remind us that sin often leads to unintended consequences and public shame. We must be mindful of our actions and their potential impact on our reputation and relationships.

God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs
Despite human failings, God's purposes prevail. The lineage of Judah and Tamar becomes part of the genealogy of Christ, demonstrating God's ability to work through imperfect situations.

The Importance of Integrity
Judah's concern about becoming a "laughingstock" highlights the importance of maintaining integrity and fulfilling promises. As Christians, we are called to be people of our word.

Repentance and Redemption
Judah's later acknowledgment of his wrongdoing (in subsequent verses) shows the power of repentance and the possibility of redemption, a theme central to the Christian faith.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 38

How does 1 Chronicles 2:3-4 align with Genesis 38 regarding Judah and Tamar's lineage, and does it create inconsistencies?

In Genesis 38:25-26, why does Judah suddenly shift from condemning Tamar to declaring her 'more righteous' than he is, without any direct divine intervention or clear moral explanation?

In Genesis 38:14-18, how credible is it historically that Judah would fail to recognize his own daughter-in-law simply because she covered her face?

In Genesis 38 overall, how does this morally complex story align with the broader biblical narrative on sexual ethics and lineage preservation?

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23)Lest we be shamed.--Maimonides asserts that Judah had committednobreach of the Law, the utmost therein commanded being that no Jewish woman should become akedeshah(Deuteronomy 23:17). But Judah evidently regards what he had done as shameful, and having big friend's testimony, if needed, to prove that he had performed what he promised, he bears with the loss of his signet and staff, rather than let the people know that he had been guilty of an act which they too would condemn.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 23. -And Judah said, Let her take it to her, - literally,let hertake to herself (sc. the pledge) -lest we be shamed (literally,become a contempt, i.e.by inquiring after her. Though not afraid to sin against God, Judah was pained at the idea of losing his reputation before men):behold, I sent this kid (i.e. I take you to witness that I have fulfilled my premise),and thou hast not found her.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“Let her
לָ֔הּ(lāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

keep the items,”
תִּֽקַּֽח־(tiq·qaḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3947:To take

Judah
יְהוּדָה֙(yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063:Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

replied.
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר(way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say

“Otherwise
פֶּ֖ן(pen)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435:Removal, lest

we will become
נִהְיֶ֣ה(nih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a laughingstock.
לָב֑וּז(lā·ḇūz)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 937:Disrespect

After all,
הִנֵּ֤ה(hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009:Lo! behold!

I did send her
שָׁלַ֙חְתִּי֙(šā·laḥ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7971:To send away, for, out

this
הַזֶּ֔ה(haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088:This, that

young goat,
הַגְּדִ֣י(hag·gə·ḏî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1423:A kid (a young goat)

but you
וְאַתָּ֖ה(wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859:Thou and thee, ye and you

could not
לֹ֥א(lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, no

find her.”
מְצָאתָֽהּ׃(mə·ṣā·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4672:To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

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OT Law: Genesis 38:23 Judah said Let her keep it lest (Gen. Ge Gn)