Genesis 38:14 - She took off her the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is by the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she wasn’t given to him as a wife.
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What does "Genesis 38:14" mean?
This verse from Genesis 38:14 describes a calculated and deceptive act by Tamar, Judah's daughter-in-law. Let's break it down:
"She took off her the garments of her widowhood...": Tamar was a widow, having been married to Judah's son Er, and then, according to custom, to his brother Onan (who also died). Widowhood was a specific social status with particular clothing, usually somber and concealing. Taking off these garments signified a change in identity and intent.
"...and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself...": By veiling herself, Tamar obscured her identity. This was likely done to appear as a prostitute or a woman available for relations, without being easily recognized. The act of wrapping herself suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal her true appearance.
"...and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is by the way to Timnah...": The gate of Enaim was a public place, specifically on the road to Timnah. Gates in ancient cities were centers of commerce, social activity, and sometimes, prostitution. Tamar strategically positioned herself in this location, knowing Judah would likely pass by.
"...for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she wasn’t given to him as a wife.": This is the crucial motivation. According to the levirate marriage custom, when a man died without leaving an heir, his brother was supposed to marry the widow to continue the deceased brother's lineage. Judah had promised to give Tamar to his youngest son, Shelah, when he was old enough. However, Judah had not kept his promise, likely because he feared Shelah would also die (as his two older sons had). Tamar was left in a vulnerable and precarious position as a childless widow with no family or support.
In Summary:
Tamar's actions were driven by desperation and a desire for justice. She knew Judah had failed to fulfill his obligation to provide her with an heir through Shelah. By disguising herself as a prostitute and positioning herself strategically, she intended to trick Judah into sleeping with her so she could conceive and secure her future and the lineage of his family. She was essentially taking matters into her own hands to ensure her rights under the levirate marriage custom were upheld.
Key points to consider:
Levirate Marriage: Understanding this custom is crucial to interpreting Tamar's actions.
Deception: Tamar's actions were undeniably deceptive.
Motivation: Her motivation was to secure her future and maintain the family line, as Judah had failed to do.
Social Context: The story reflects the social structures and expectations surrounding marriage, inheritance, and the role of women in ancient Israelite society.
Moral Ambiguity: The story raises complex moral questions about justice, deception, and the lengths to which people will go to ensure their survival and legacy.
Genesis 38:14 - She took off her the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is by the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she wasn’t given to him as a wife.
What does "Genesis 38:14" mean?
This verse from Genesis 38:14 describes a calculated and deceptive act by Tamar, Judah's daughter-in-law. Let's break it down:
"She took off her the garments of her widowhood...": Tamar was a widow, having been married to Judah's son Er, and then, according to custom, to his brother Onan (who also died). Widowhood was a specific social status with particular clothing, usually somber and concealing. Taking off these garments signified a change in identity and intent.
"...and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself...": By veiling herself, Tamar obscured her identity. This was likely done to appear as a prostitute or a woman available for relations, without being easily recognized. The act of wrapping herself suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal her true appearance.
"...and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is by the way to Timnah...": The gate of Enaim was a public place, specifically on the road to Timnah. Gates in ancient cities were centers of commerce, social activity, and sometimes, prostitution. Tamar strategically positioned herself in this location, knowing Judah would likely pass by.
"...for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she wasn’t given to him as a wife.": This is the crucial motivation. According to the levirate marriage custom, when a man died without leaving an heir, his brother was supposed to marry the widow to continue the deceased brother's lineage. Judah had promised to give Tamar to his youngest son, Shelah, when he was old enough. However, Judah had not kept his promise, likely because he feared Shelah would also die (as his two older sons had). Tamar was left in a vulnerable and precarious position as a childless widow with no family or support.
In Summary:
Tamar's actions were driven by desperation and a desire for justice. She knew Judah had failed to fulfill his obligation to provide her with an heir through Shelah. By disguising herself as a prostitute and positioning herself strategically, she intended to trick Judah into sleeping with her so she could conceive and secure her future and the lineage of his family. She was essentially taking matters into her own hands to ensure her rights under the levirate marriage custom were upheld.
Key points to consider:
Levirate Marriage: Understanding this custom is crucial to interpreting Tamar's actions.
Deception: Tamar's actions were undeniably deceptive.
Motivation: Her motivation was to secure her future and maintain the family line, as Judah had failed to do.
Social Context: The story reflects the social structures and expectations surrounding marriage, inheritance, and the role of women in ancient Israelite society.
Moral Ambiguity: The story raises complex moral questions about justice, deception, and the lengths to which people will go to ensure their survival and legacy.