Chapter 38

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

  And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in to her.  

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

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

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

  And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, whose name was Tamar.  

  And Er, Judah's first-born, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.  

  And Judah said to Onan, Go in to thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.  

  And Onan knew that the seed would not be his: and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he frustrated the purpose, lest he should give seed to his brother.  

  And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.  

  Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter-in-law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son shall be grown; (for he said, Lest perhaps he die also as his brethren did:) and Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.  

  And in process of time, the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died: and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheep-shearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.  

  And it was told to Tamar, saying, Behold, thy father-in-law goeth up to Timnath, to shear his sheep.  

  And she put off from her, her widow's garments, 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 to him for a wife.  

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

  And he turned to her by the way, and said, Come, I pray thee, let me have access to thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter-in-law:) and she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayst have access to me?  

  And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock: and she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou sendest it?  

  And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? and she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thy hand: and he gave them to her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him.  

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

  And Judah 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.  

  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.  

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

  And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.  

  And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told to Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter-in-law hath played the harlot; and also, behold she is with child by lewdness: and Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.  

  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, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.  

  And Judah acknowledged 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.  

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

  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.  

  And it came to pass as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out; and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.  

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