Genesis 38

1 And it came to pass at that time, that Judah (Yehudah) went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.

2 And Judah (Yehudah) saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.

3 And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.

4 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.

5 And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.

6 And Judah (Yehudah) took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.

7 And Er, Judah (Yehudah)’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of יהוה; and יהוה slew him.

8 And Judah (Yehudah) said unto Onan, “Go in unto your brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to your brother.”

9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.

10 And the thing which he did displeased יהוה; therefore He slew him also.

11 Then said Judah (Yehudah) to Tamar his daughter in law, “Remain a widow at your father’s house, till Shelah my son be grown.” For he said, “Lest suppose he dies also, as his brethren did.” And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.

12 And in process of time the daughter of Shuah, Judah (Yehudah)’s wife died; and Judah (Yehudah) was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.

13 And it was told Tamar, saying, “Behold your father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.”

14 And she put her widow’s garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.

15 When Judah (Yehudah) saw her, he thought her to be a harlot; because she had covered her face.

16 And he turned unto her by the way, and said, “Please come, let me come in unto you”; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) and she said, “What wilt you give me, that you mayest come in unto me?”

17 And he said, “I will send you a kid from the flock.” And she said, “Wilt you give me a pledge, till you send it?”

18 And he said, “What pledge shall I give you?” And she said, “Your signet, and your bracelets, and your staff that is in your hand.” And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.

19 And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.

20 And Judah (Yehudah) sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman’s hand, but he found her not.

21 Then he asked the men of that place, saying, “Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side?” And they said, “There was no harlot in this place.”

22 And he returned to Judah (Yehudah), and said, “I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place.”

23 And Judah (Yehudah) said, “Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed; behold, I sent this kid, and you have not found her.”

24 And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah (Yehudah), saying, “Tamar your daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom.” And Judah (Yehudah) said, “Bring her forth, and let her be burned!”

25 When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, “By the man, whose these are, am I with child.” And she said, “Please discern, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.”

26 And Judah (Yehudah) acknow-ledged them, and said, “She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son.” And he knew her again no more.

27 And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.

28 And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, “This came out first.”

29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out; and she said, “How have you broken forth? This breach be upon you!” Therefore his name was called Pharez (Perets).

30 And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand; and his name was called Zarah.