Genesis 38:1

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וַֽיְהִי֙ H1961
וַֽיְהִי֙
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָּעֵ֣ת And it came to pass at that time H6256
בָּעֵ֣ת And it came to pass at that time
Strong's: H6256
Word #: 2 of 13
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
הַהִ֔וא H1931
הַהִ֔וא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 3 of 13
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וַיֵּ֥רֶד went down H3381
וַיֵּ֥רֶד went down
Strong's: H3381
Word #: 4 of 13
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
יְהוּדָ֖ה that Judah H3063
יְהוּדָ֖ה that Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 5 of 13
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
מֵאֵ֣ת H853
מֵאֵ֣ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶחָ֑יו from his brethren H251
אֶחָ֑יו from his brethren
Strong's: H251
Word #: 7 of 13
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וַיֵּ֛ט and turned H5186
וַיֵּ֛ט and turned
Strong's: H5186
Word #: 8 of 13
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 9 of 13
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אִ֥ישׁ in to a certain H376
אִ֥ישׁ in to a certain
Strong's: H376
Word #: 10 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
עֲדֻלָּמִ֖י Adullamite H5726
עֲדֻלָּמִ֖י Adullamite
Strong's: H5726
Word #: 11 of 13
an adullamite or native of adullam
וּשְׁמ֥וֹ whose name H8034
וּשְׁמ֥וֹ whose name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 12 of 13
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
חִירָֽה׃ was Hirah H2437
חִירָֽה׃ was Hirah
Strong's: H2437
Word #: 13 of 13
chirah, an adullamite

Analysis & Commentary

And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal:

  1. God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions
  2. suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment
  3. forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation
  4. God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people
  5. how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes.

Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

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