Movatterモバイル変換

◄ Genesis 38:26►

New International Version
Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn’t give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not sleep with her again.

New Living Translation
Judah recognized them immediately and said, “She is more righteous than I am, because I didn’t arrange for her to marry my son Shelah.” And Judah never slept with Tamar again.

English Standard Version
Then Judah identified them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.

Berean Standard Bible
Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.

King James Bible
And Judah acknowledgedthem, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

New King James Version
So Judah acknowledgedthem and said, “She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son.” And he never knew her again.

New American Standard Bible
And Judah recognizedthem, and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.

NASB 1995
Judah recognized them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.

NASB 1977
And Judah recognizedthem, and said, “She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Judah recognizedthem and said, “She is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.

Amplified Bible
Judah recognized the articles, and said, “She has been more righteous [in this matter] than I, because I did not give her to my son Shelah [as I had promised].” And Judah did not have [intimate] relations with her again.

Christian Standard Bible
Judah recognized them and said, “She is more in the right than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her intimately again.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Judah recognized them and said, “She is more in the right than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her intimately again.

American Standard Version
And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She is more righteous than I; forasmuch as I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

Contemporary English Version
"Those are mine!" Judah admitted. "She's a better person than I am, because I broke my promise to let her marry my son Shelah." After this, Judah never slept with her again.

English Revised Version
And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She is more righteous than I; forasmuch as I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Judah recognized them and said, "She's not guilty. I am! She did this because I haven't given her my son Shelah." Judah never made love to her again.

Good News Translation
Judah recognized them and said, "She is in the right. I have failed in my obligation to her--I should have given her to my son Shelah in marriage." And Judah never had intercourse with her again.

International Standard Version
When Judah recognized them, he admitted, "She is more upright than I, because I never did give her my son Shelah." And he never had sex with her again.

NET Bible
Judah recognized them and said, "She is more upright than I am, because I wouldn't give her to Shelah my son." He did not have sexual relations with her again.

New Heart English Bible
Then Judah recognized them, and said, " She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah." He did not sleep with her again.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Judah acknowledged them, and said She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son: and he knew her again no more.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.

World English Bible
Judah acknowledged them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son.” He knew her again no more.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Judah discerns and says, “She has been more righteous than I, because that I did not give her to my son Shelah”; and he has not added to know her again.

Young's Literal Translation
And Judah discerneth and saith, 'She hath been more righteous than I, because that I did not give her to Shelah my son;' and he hath not added to know her again.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Judah will recognise, and will say, She was justified more than I, because that I gave her not to Shelah my son: and he will not add to know her yet again.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But he acknowledging the gifts, said: She is juster than I: because I did not give her to Sela, my son. However, he knew her no more.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But he, acknowledging the gifts, said: “She is more just than I am. For I did not deliver her to my son Shelah.” However, he knew her no more.

New American Bible
Judah recognized them and said, “She is in the right rather than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” He had no further sexual relations with her.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Judah acknowledged them and said, “She is more in the right than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not lie with her again.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Judah recognized them, and said, She is more righteous than I; because I did not give her in marriage to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yehuda knew and said, “She is innocent more than I, because of this, I did not give her to Shala my son”, and he did not have sexual relations with her again.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Judah acknowledged them, and said: 'She is more righteous than I; forasmuch as I gave her not to Shelah my son.' And he knew her again no more.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Judas knewthem, and said, Thamar is cleared rather than I, forasmuch as I gave her not to Selom my son: and he knew her not again.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Judah and Tamar
…25As she was being brought out, Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Please examine them. Whose seal and cord and staff are these?”26Judah recognized the items and said,“She is more righteous than I,since I did not give her to my son Shelah.”And he did not have relations with her again.

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

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

Ruth 4:12
And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.”

1 Chronicles 2:4
Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.

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.

Leviticus 20:12
If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both must surely be put to death. They have acted perversely; their blood is upon them.

Deuteronomy 25:5-10
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. / But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” ...

2 Samuel 12:13
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. / And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

John 8:7
When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”

Luke 3:33
the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,

Hebrews 11:31
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.

James 2:25
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

Treasury of Scripture

And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She has been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

acknowledged.

Genesis 37:33
And he knew it, and said,It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

She hath.

1 Samuel 24:17
And he said to David, Thouart more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

2 Samuel 24:17
And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.

Ezekiel 16:52
Thou also, which hast judged thy sisters, bear thine own shame for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they: they are more righteous than thou: yea, be thou confounded also, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters.

more righteous.

Genesis 38:14
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, whichis by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.

And he knew.

Genesis 4:1
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

2 Samuel 16:22
So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

2 Samuel 20:3
And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten womenhis concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.

Jump to Previous

Acknowledged Added Connection Forasmuch Inasmuch Judah Lie Openly Recognized Relations Righteous Shelah Sleep Upright Wouldn't

Jump to Next

Acknowledged Added Connection Forasmuch Inasmuch Judah Lie Openly Recognized Relations Righteous Shelah Sleep Upright Wouldn't

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

Judah recognized the items and said
Judah's recognition of the items—his seal, cord, and staff—marks a pivotal moment of self-awareness and confession. These items were personal identifiers, akin to a modern-day signature, and their recognition signifies Judah's acknowledgment of his actions. This moment is reminiscent of other biblical instances where individuals are confronted with their sins, such as Nathan confronting David (2 Samuel 12:7). It highlights the importance of personal accountability in biblical narratives.

“She is more righteous than I
Judah's admission that Tamar is "more righteous" reflects a deep understanding of justice and righteousness in the biblical context. Righteousness here is not about moral perfection but about fulfilling one's obligations and responsibilities. Tamar's actions, though unconventional, were driven by her right to offspring from Judah's family line, as per the levirate marriage custom (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). This acknowledgment by Judah is a turning point in his character development, showing humility and repentance.

since I did not give her to my son Shelah.”
Judah's failure to give Tamar to his son Shelah was a breach of the levirate marriage duty, which was intended to preserve the family line and provide for widows. This cultural practice was crucial in ancient Israelite society, ensuring the continuation of a man's name and property within the tribe. Judah's neglect of this duty underscores the social and familial responsibilities emphasized in the Old Testament, and his admission highlights the importance of fulfilling one's obligations.

And he did not have relations with her again.
This final phrase indicates Judah's respect for Tamar and his recognition of the wrongness of his previous actions. By not continuing the relationship, Judah demonstrates a change in behavior, aligning with biblical themes of repentance and transformation. This decision also preserves the integrity of the family line, as Tamar's children, Perez and Zerah, become significant figures in the lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:3). This connection to the genealogy of Christ underscores the theme of redemption and God's sovereign plan working through flawed human actions.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Judah
One of the twelve sons of Jacob, Judah is a central figure in this account. He acknowledges his wrongdoing in not fulfilling his promise to Tamar.

2.Tamar
The widow of Judah's son, she takes bold action to secure her rights and future, ultimately being declared more righteous than Judah.

3.Shelah
Judah's youngest son, whom Judah had promised to Tamar as a husband, but failed to fulfill this promise.

4.The Event
This verse captures the moment of Judah's recognition of his failure and Tamar's righteousness, highlighting themes of justice and accountability.

Teaching Points

Acknowledgment of Sin
Judah's admission, "She is more righteous than I," serves as a model for recognizing and confessing our own failures and sins.

Righteousness and Justice
Tamar's actions, though unconventional, highlight the importance of seeking justice and righteousness, even when it requires boldness.

Consequences of Broken Promises
Judah's failure to keep his promise to Tamar underscores the importance of integrity and the consequences of neglecting our commitments.

Transformation and Redemption
Judah's journey from deceit to acknowledgment of his wrongs illustrates the potential for personal transformation and redemption.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Genesis 38:26?

2.How does Judah's admission of guilt in Genesis 38:26 demonstrate true repentance?

3.What can we learn about accountability from Judah's response in Genesis 38:26?

4.How does Genesis 38:26 connect to themes of justice and righteousness in Scripture?

5.How can we apply Judah's acknowledgment of Tamar's righteousness to our own lives?

6.What does Genesis 38:26 teach about recognizing and admitting personal wrongdoing?

7.Why did Judah acknowledge Tamar's righteousness in Genesis 38:26 despite her deception?

8.How does Genesis 38:26 reflect on the themes of justice and righteousness?

9.What cultural practices are highlighted in Genesis 38:26 regarding levirate marriage?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 38?

11.What happened to Tamar in the biblical narrative?

12.Who was Judah in the Bible?

13.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?

14.In Genesis 38:1–11, why would God punish Onan’s refusal to father children for Tamar so severely, yet no comparable punishment is shown for Judah’s neglect of her?

What Does Genesis 38:26 Mean

Recognizing the items

“Judah recognized the items…” (Genesis 38:26)

• Judah’s seal, cord, and staff were unmistakably his; the evidence was undeniable, just as Jacob immediately recognized Joseph’s coat inGenesis 37:32.

• God often confronts sin with clear, tangible proof (Numbers 32:23;Joshua 7:20-21).

• Judah’s recognition signals the turning point from concealment to conviction—an echo ofPsalm 51:3: “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.”

Acknowledging superior righteousness

“…and said, ‘She is more righteous than I…’”

• Judah openly admits Tamar’s moral standing surpasses his own, paralleling David’s admission to Nathan in2 Samuel 12:13.

• This moment underscoresMatthew 7:3-5: removing the plank from one’s own eye before judging another.

• Tamar’s actions, though unconventional, sought to uphold the levirate duty (Deuteronomy 25:5-10); Judah had evaded that duty.

Confession of neglect

“…‘since I did not give her to my son Shelah.’”

• Judah pinpoints his specific failure: withholding Shelah from Tamar, thereby breaking his promise and the family responsibility established inDeuteronomy 25:5-10.

• Like Saul admitting, “I have acted foolishly” (1 Samuel 26:21), Judah confesses the precise sin, not a vague mistake.

• His admission validatesRomans 3:23—“all have sinned”—and demonstrates that true repentance names the wrong committed.

Commitment to purity

“And he did not have relations with her again.”

• Judah’s repentance moves beyond words to corrective action, reflectingProverbs 28:13: “He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.”

• By abstaining, he honors the integrity of the levirate provision without exploiting Tamar—similar to Joseph refusing Potiphar’s wife inGenesis 39:9.

• His changed behavior modelsJames 2:17: faith and repentance are proven by deeds.

summary

Judah’s recognition of his own items confronted him with undeniable guilt. He acknowledged Tamar’s greater righteousness, confessed his failure to provide Shelah, and demonstrated genuine repentance by ending the illicit relationship.Genesis 38:26 shows God using clear evidence to expose sin, elicit humble confession, and produce practical change, affirming both His justice and His mercy in restoring a fallen sinner.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 26. -And Judah acknowledged (or discerned,ut supra, i.e. recognized)them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; - though Tamer was far from innocent (vide vex. 16), she was by no means as culpable as Judah -because that (כִּי־עַל־כֵּן, for, for this cause,i.e. that so it might hap, pen to me: videGenesis 18:5)I gave her not to Shelah my son.And (in token of his penitence)he knew her again no more.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

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

recognized [the items]
וַיַּכֵּ֣ר(way·yak·kêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5234:To regard, recognize

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

“She is more righteous
צָֽדְקָ֣ה(ṣā·ḏə·qāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6663:To be just or righteous

than I,
מִמֶּ֔נִּי(mim·men·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4480:A part of, from, out of

since
כִּֽי־(kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction

I did not
לֹא־(lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, no

give
נְתַתִּ֖יהָ(nə·ṯat·tî·hā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, set

her to my son
בְנִ֑י(ḇə·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121:A son

Shelah.”
לְשֵׁלָ֣ה(lə·šê·lāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7956:Shelah -- a son of Judah

And he did not
וְלֹֽא־(wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, no

have relations with her
לְדַעְתָּֽה׃‪‬(lə·ḏa‘·tāh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3045:To know

again.
יָסַ֥ף(yā·sap̄)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3254:To add, augment

Links

Genesis 38:26 NIV
Genesis 38:26 NLT
Genesis 38:26 ESV
Genesis 38:26 NASB
Genesis 38:26 KJV

Genesis 38:26 BibleApps.com
Genesis 38:26 Biblia Paralela
Genesis 38:26 Chinese Bible
Genesis 38:26 French Bible
Genesis 38:26 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Genesis 38:26 Judah acknowledged them and said She (Gen. Ge Gn)