Genesis 38:16 - He turned to her by the way, and said, “Please come, let me come in to you,” for he didn’t know that she was his daughter-in-law. She said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?”
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What does "Genesis 38:16" mean?
This verse is from the story of Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38, a complex and often unsettling narrative. Let's break down the verse:
"He turned to her by the way, and said, 'Please come, let me come in to you,' for he didn’t know that she was his daughter-in-law." This describes Judah encountering Tamar, who is veiled and sitting by the roadside. Judah, whose wife had died and who was obligated to provide an heir for his deceased son through levirate marriage, mistakes her for a prostitute. The phrase "come in to you" is a euphemism for sexual relations. Importantly, Judah does not know she is Tamar, his daughter-in-law. This is crucial to understanding the context.
"She said, 'What will you give me, that you may come in to me?'" Tamar, in disguise, demands payment for sexual services. This is part of her elaborate plan to secure her rights to levirate marriage and an heir for her deceased husband, Er. By asking for payment, she is acting the role of a prostitute and furthering her deception. She needs something from Judah to prove that he slept with her since she cannot simply say she is his daughter-in-law.
Meaning and Context:
The meaning of this verse is best understood within the larger narrative of Genesis 38. The story is about:
Levirate Marriage: The ancient custom where a brother of a deceased man is obligated to marry the widow to provide an heir for the deceased. This was a social safety net for widows and a way to continue the family line. Judah had failed to uphold this obligation to Tamar.
Tamar's Agency: Tamar is a proactive and resourceful woman. She is denied her rights by Judah, who is afraid his remaining son will also die if he fulfills the levirate marriage. Rather than passively accept her fate, Tamar takes matters into her own hands.
Deception: Both Judah and Tamar engage in deception. Judah unwittingly seeks out Tamar, thinking she's a prostitute. Tamar deceives Judah by disguising herself, but her deception is ultimately aimed at fulfilling her legal and social rights.
Judah's Character Development: Judah's actions in this chapter are not portrayed favorably. He withholds his youngest son from Tamar, failing to uphold his familial obligations. The story ultimately highlights Judah's moral failings, and his eventual recognition of Tamar's righteousness ("She is more righteous than I").
In short, the verse describes a pivotal moment where Judah, unaware that he is dealing with his daughter-in-law, attempts to hire her for sexual services. Tamar, in disguise, demands payment, setting the stage for her plan to reveal Judah's actions and claim her right to an heir.
Genesis 38:16 - He turned to her by the way, and said, “Please come, let me come in to you,” for he didn’t know that she was his daughter-in-law. She said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?”
What does "Genesis 38:16" mean?
This verse is from the story of Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38, a complex and often unsettling narrative. Let's break down the verse:
"He turned to her by the way, and said, 'Please come, let me come in to you,' for he didn’t know that she was his daughter-in-law." This describes Judah encountering Tamar, who is veiled and sitting by the roadside. Judah, whose wife had died and who was obligated to provide an heir for his deceased son through levirate marriage, mistakes her for a prostitute. The phrase "come in to you" is a euphemism for sexual relations. Importantly, Judah does not know she is Tamar, his daughter-in-law. This is crucial to understanding the context.
"She said, 'What will you give me, that you may come in to me?'" Tamar, in disguise, demands payment for sexual services. This is part of her elaborate plan to secure her rights to levirate marriage and an heir for her deceased husband, Er. By asking for payment, she is acting the role of a prostitute and furthering her deception. She needs something from Judah to prove that he slept with her since she cannot simply say she is his daughter-in-law.
Meaning and Context:
The meaning of this verse is best understood within the larger narrative of Genesis 38. The story is about:
Levirate Marriage: The ancient custom where a brother of a deceased man is obligated to marry the widow to provide an heir for the deceased. This was a social safety net for widows and a way to continue the family line. Judah had failed to uphold this obligation to Tamar.
Tamar's Agency: Tamar is a proactive and resourceful woman. She is denied her rights by Judah, who is afraid his remaining son will also die if he fulfills the levirate marriage. Rather than passively accept her fate, Tamar takes matters into her own hands.
Deception: Both Judah and Tamar engage in deception. Judah unwittingly seeks out Tamar, thinking she's a prostitute. Tamar deceives Judah by disguising herself, but her deception is ultimately aimed at fulfilling her legal and social rights.
Judah's Character Development: Judah's actions in this chapter are not portrayed favorably. He withholds his youngest son from Tamar, failing to uphold his familial obligations. The story ultimately highlights Judah's moral failings, and his eventual recognition of Tamar's righteousness ("She is more righteous than I").
In short, the verse describes a pivotal moment where Judah, unaware that he is dealing with his daughter-in-law, attempts to hire her for sexual services. Tamar, in disguise, demands payment, setting the stage for her plan to reveal Judah's actions and claim her right to an heir.