Genesis 38

Ge 38:1-30.

JUDAH AND

FAMILY.

1. at that time--a formula frequently used by the sacred writers,

not to describe any precise period, but an interval near about it.

2. And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite--Like

Esau

[Ge 26:34],

this son of Jacob, casting off the restraints of religion, married into

a Canaanite family; and it is not surprising that the family which

sprang from such an unsuitable connection should be infamous for bold

and unblushing wickedness.

8. Judah said unto Onan . . . marry her, and raise up seed

to thy brother--The first instance of a custom, which was

afterwards incorporated among the laws of Moses, that when a husband

died leaving a widow, his brother next of age was to marry her, and the

issue, if any, was to be served heir to the deceased (compare

De 25:5).

12. Judah . . . went up unto his sheep-shearers--This

season, which occurs in Palestine towards the end of March, was spent

in more than usual hilarity, and the wealthiest masters invited their

friends, as well as treated their servants, to sumptuous

entertainments. Accordingly, it is said, Judah was accompanied by his

friend Hirah.

Timnath--in the mountains of Judah.

18. signet, &c.--Bracelets, including armlets, were worn by men

as well as women among the Hebrews. But the Hebrew word here

rendered "bracelets," is everywhere else translated "lace" or "ribbon";

so that as the signet alone was probably more than an equivalent for

the kid, it is not easy to conjecture why the other things were given

in addition, except by supposing the perforated seal was attached by a

ribbon to the staff.

24. Bring her forth, and let her be burnt--In patriarchal times

fathers seem to have possessed the power of life and death over the

members of their families. The crime of adultery was anciently punished

in many places by burning

(Le 21:9;

Jud 15:6;

Jer 29:22).

This chapter contains details, which probably would never have obtained

a place in the inspired record, had it not been to exhibit the full

links of the chain that connects the genealogy of the Saviour with

Abraham; and in the disreputable character of the ancestry who figure

in this passage, we have a remarkable proof that "He made himself of no

reputation"

[Php 2:7].