Genesis 38:26

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיַּכֵּ֣ר acknowledged H5234
וַיַּכֵּ֣ר acknowledged
Strong's: H5234
Word #: 1 of 16
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (
יְהוּדָ֗ה And Judah H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה And Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 2 of 16
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ them and said H559
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ them and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 3 of 16
to say (used with great latitude)
צָֽדְקָ֣ה She hath been more righteous H6663
צָֽדְקָ֣ה She hath been more righteous
Strong's: H6663
Word #: 4 of 16
to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)
מִמֶּ֔נִּי H4480
מִמֶּ֔נִּי
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 5 of 16
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 6 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 7 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֥ן H3651
כֵּ֥ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 8 of 16
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 9 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נְתַתִּ֖יהָ than I because that I gave H5414
נְתַתִּ֖יהָ than I because that I gave
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 10 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לְשֵׁלָ֣ה her not to Shelah H7956
לְשֵׁלָ֣ה her not to Shelah
Strong's: H7956
Word #: 11 of 16
shelah, the name of a postdiluvian patriarch and of an israelite
בְנִ֑י my son H1121
בְנִ֑י my son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 12 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 13 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָסַ֥ף again H3254
יָסַ֥ף again
Strong's: H3254
Word #: 14 of 16
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
ע֖וֹד H5750
ע֖וֹד
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 15 of 16
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
לְדַעְתָּֽה׃ And he knew her H3045
לְדַעְתָּֽה׃ And he knew her
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 16 of 16
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

Analysis & Commentary

And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her ... 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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