Genesis 38:18 - He said, “What pledge will I give you?” She said, “Your signet and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” He gave them to her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him.
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What does "Genesis 38:18" mean?
This verse from Genesis 38:18 describes the exchange between Judah and Tamar, his daughter-in-law, who is disguised as a prostitute. Let's break it down:
"He said, 'What pledge will I give you?'" Judah agrees to pay the prostitute (unbeknownst to him, Tamar) for her services, but he doesn't have the money immediately available. He asks what he can leave as collateral until he can send payment.
"She said, 'Your signet and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.'" Tamar cleverly asks for Judah's signet ring (used for sealing documents and representing authority), his cord (likely the cord that holds the signet), and his staff (a symbol of his identity and status as a leader). These items are unique to him and would serve as proof of their transaction.
"He gave them to her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him." Judah hands over the requested items to Tamar, has sexual relations with her, and she becomes pregnant as a result.
Significance and Interpretation:
Tamar's cunning: Tamar's actions are driven by her desire to secure her future and fulfill her right to have children in Judah's lineage. She was supposed to marry Judah's youngest son, Shelah, after the deaths of his two older brothers, but Judah withheld him, fearing he would also die. Tamar takes matters into her own hands to ensure the family line continues.
Judah's deception and hypocrisy: Judah is portrayed as being deceived and unknowingly engaging in intercourse with his daughter-in-law. This highlights his hypocrisy, as he later orders Tamar to be burned for being a prostitute, unaware that he is the father of her child.
Theme of Divine Providence: The story can be seen as an example of divine providence. God uses Tamar's deception and Judah's mistakes to ensure the continuation of the Davidic line, from which Jesus Christ would later descend. Through her actions, Tamar secures her place in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:3).
Moral Ambiguity: The story is morally complex. Tamar's actions are deceptive, but they are also seen as justified by her desire for justice and her right to have children. Judah's actions are driven by lust and a failure to fulfill his obligations to Tamar.
Shame and Acknowledgment: Once Judah realizes that Tamar is pregnant with his child and that she possesses his signet, cord, and staff, he publicly acknowledges his fault, saying, "She is more righteous than I, because I did not give her to my son Shelah" (Genesis 38:26).
Genesis 38:18 - He said, “What pledge will I give you?” She said, “Your signet and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” He gave them to her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him.
What does "Genesis 38:18" mean?
This verse from Genesis 38:18 describes the exchange between Judah and Tamar, his daughter-in-law, who is disguised as a prostitute. Let's break it down:
"He said, 'What pledge will I give you?'" Judah agrees to pay the prostitute (unbeknownst to him, Tamar) for her services, but he doesn't have the money immediately available. He asks what he can leave as collateral until he can send payment.
"She said, 'Your signet and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.'" Tamar cleverly asks for Judah's signet ring (used for sealing documents and representing authority), his cord (likely the cord that holds the signet), and his staff (a symbol of his identity and status as a leader). These items are unique to him and would serve as proof of their transaction.
"He gave them to her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him." Judah hands over the requested items to Tamar, has sexual relations with her, and she becomes pregnant as a result.
Significance and Interpretation:
Tamar's cunning: Tamar's actions are driven by her desire to secure her future and fulfill her right to have children in Judah's lineage. She was supposed to marry Judah's youngest son, Shelah, after the deaths of his two older brothers, but Judah withheld him, fearing he would also die. Tamar takes matters into her own hands to ensure the family line continues.
Judah's deception and hypocrisy: Judah is portrayed as being deceived and unknowingly engaging in intercourse with his daughter-in-law. This highlights his hypocrisy, as he later orders Tamar to be burned for being a prostitute, unaware that he is the father of her child.
Theme of Divine Providence: The story can be seen as an example of divine providence. God uses Tamar's deception and Judah's mistakes to ensure the continuation of the Davidic line, from which Jesus Christ would later descend. Through her actions, Tamar secures her place in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:3).
Moral Ambiguity: The story is morally complex. Tamar's actions are deceptive, but they are also seen as justified by her desire for justice and her right to have children. Judah's actions are driven by lust and a failure to fulfill his obligations to Tamar.
Shame and Acknowledgment: Once Judah realizes that Tamar is pregnant with his child and that she possesses his signet, cord, and staff, he publicly acknowledges his fault, saying, "She is more righteous than I, because I did not give her to my son Shelah" (Genesis 38:26).