Genesis 38:23 - Judah said, “Let her keep it, lest we be shamed. Behold, I sent this young goat, and you haven’t found her.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 38:23" mean?
This verse is part of the story of Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38. To understand the meaning, let's break down the context:
The Setup: Judah has unknowingly slept with his widowed daughter-in-law, Tamar, after she disguised herself as a prostitute. He promised her payment in the form of a young goat for her services. He gave her his signet ring, cord, and staff as a pledge until he could deliver the goat.
Judah Tries to Pay: Judah sends a friend to pay the "prostitute" with the goat and retrieve his pledge items. The friend can't find her.
Judah's Dilemma: The verse in question, Genesis 38:23, reveals Judah's reaction to his friend's inability to find the woman. He says, "Let her keep it, lest we be shamed. Behold, I sent this young goat, and you haven’t found her."
Meaning of the Verse:
Judah's primary concern is avoiding public embarrassment and shame.
"Let her keep it, lest we be shamed": Judah would rather lose the value of the signet ring, cord, and staff than have his reputation ruined if it became known he visited a prostitute. He is worried that people will start gossiping and questioning him if his friend keeps searching for a woman of questionable character. He values his social standing and respect within his community.
"Behold, I sent this young goat, and you haven’t found her": This is Judah trying to salvage the situation and convince himself (and perhaps anyone who might overhear) that he fulfilled his obligation, even though the goat wasn't actually received by the woman. It's a way of washing his hands of the matter and preventing further investigation.
In Summary:
This verse shows that Judah is more concerned with appearances and avoiding scandal than with retrieving his possessions or understanding what happened to the woman. He prioritizes his reputation over justice or truth. It foreshadows the later reveal that Tamar is pregnant with his child and highlights the complexities of the story, where appearances and reality are at odds.
Genesis 38:23 - Judah said, “Let her keep it, lest we be shamed. Behold, I sent this young goat, and you haven’t found her.”
What does "Genesis 38:23" mean?
This verse is part of the story of Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38. To understand the meaning, let's break down the context:
The Setup: Judah has unknowingly slept with his widowed daughter-in-law, Tamar, after she disguised herself as a prostitute. He promised her payment in the form of a young goat for her services. He gave her his signet ring, cord, and staff as a pledge until he could deliver the goat.
Judah Tries to Pay: Judah sends a friend to pay the "prostitute" with the goat and retrieve his pledge items. The friend can't find her.
Judah's Dilemma: The verse in question, Genesis 38:23, reveals Judah's reaction to his friend's inability to find the woman. He says, "Let her keep it, lest we be shamed. Behold, I sent this young goat, and you haven’t found her."
Meaning of the Verse:
Judah's primary concern is avoiding public embarrassment and shame.
"Let her keep it, lest we be shamed": Judah would rather lose the value of the signet ring, cord, and staff than have his reputation ruined if it became known he visited a prostitute. He is worried that people will start gossiping and questioning him if his friend keeps searching for a woman of questionable character. He values his social standing and respect within his community.
"Behold, I sent this young goat, and you haven’t found her": This is Judah trying to salvage the situation and convince himself (and perhaps anyone who might overhear) that he fulfilled his obligation, even though the goat wasn't actually received by the woman. It's a way of washing his hands of the matter and preventing further investigation.
In Summary:
This verse shows that Judah is more concerned with appearances and avoiding scandal than with retrieving his possessions or understanding what happened to the woman. He prioritizes his reputation over justice or truth. It foreshadows the later reveal that Tamar is pregnant with his child and highlights the complexities of the story, where appearances and reality are at odds.