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

GENESIS 38:17KJV
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Genesis 38:17 (KJV)

What does Genesis 38:17 mean?

Genesis 38:17 shows Judah promising to send Tamar a young goat from his flock as payment, and Tamar asking for a pledge until he delivers it. This exchange sets up a guarantee so Tamar can be sure Judah will keep his word.

In this scene, Judah is speaking to Tamar, who is disguised as a prostitute by the roadside. Judah offers a "kid" (a young goat) as payment for her services, but since he does not have it with him, Tamar wisely asks for a pledge—something valuable to hold onto until he sends the goat. This moment is crucial because the pledge will later play a key role in the story’s unfolding events.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 38:17

  • The word for "kid" is עֵז (ʿez) and גְּדִי (gəḏî), both meaning a young goat. The use of this specific animal as payment highlights the everyday barter practices of the time.
  • The word for "pledge" is עֵרוֹן (ʿērāvon), meaning a guarantee or security. Tamar’s request for a pledge shows her caution and foresight, ensuring Judah cannot back out of the agreement.

Why Genesis 38:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Tamar is not acting impulsively but is carefully protecting her interests by demanding a pledge.
  • The pledge Tamar receives becomes a key piece of evidence later in the chapter, dramatically affecting Judah’s life and reputation.
  • Understanding this exchange helps the reader see the social customs and personal dynamics at play in the story, especially the importance of trust and accountability in agreements.

Where else these words appear

“pledge” Hebrew H6162 · used in 3 verses

  • Genesis 38:18 And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.
  • Genesis 38:20 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.

“kid” Hebrew H1423 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 27:9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
  • Exodus 34:26 The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
  • Judges 14:6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

“kid” Hebrew H5795 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • Leviticus 16:5 And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
  • Numbers 29:5 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you: