Genesis 38:11

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis

אָמַ֔ר

H559

Then said

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוּדָה֩

H3063

Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

תָּמָ֔ר

H8559

did And Tamar

tamar, the name of three women and a place

כַּלָּת֜וֹ

H3618

his daughter in law

a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife

וַתֵּ֖שֶׁב

H3427

Remain

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

אַלְמָנָ֣ה

H490

a widow

a widow; also a desolate place

בֵּ֥ית

H1004

house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אָבִֽיהָ׃

at thy father's

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

עַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#10

יִגְדַּל֙

H1431

be grown

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

#11

שֵׁלָ֣ה

H7956

till Shelah

shelah, the name of a postdiluvian patriarch and of an israelite

#12

בְנִ֔י

H1121

my son

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#13

כִּ֣י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#14

אָמַ֔ר

H559

Then said

to say (used with great latitude)

#15

פֶּן

H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

#16

יָמ֥וּת

H4191

Lest peradventure he die

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#17

גַּם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#18

ה֖וּא

H1931

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

#19

כְּאֶחָ֑יו

H251

also as his brethren

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

#20

וַתֵּ֣לֶךְ

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#21

תָּמָ֔ר

H8559

did And Tamar

tamar, the name of three women and a place

#22

וַתֵּ֖שֶׁב

H3427

Remain

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

#23

בֵּ֥ית

H1004

house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#24

אָבִֽיהָ׃

at thy father's

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The historical context of the patriarchal period (c. 2000-1500 BCE) and primeval history provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The ancient Near Eastern world with its creation myths, flood narratives, and patriarchal social structures provided the cultural backdrop against which God's revelation stands in stark contrast. The ancient Near Eastern cosmology and patriarchal society would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Ancient Near Eastern creation texts like Enuma Elish provide comparative context for understanding Genesis's unique theological perspective.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does the creation and providence theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Genesis chapter 38 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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