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

GENESIS 38:24KJV
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Genesis 38:24 (KJV)

What does Genesis 38:24 mean?

Genesis 38:24 describes how, about three months after Tamar became pregnant, someone told Judah that his daughter-in-law Tamar had acted like a prostitute and was now pregnant because of it. In response, Judah ordered that Tamar be brought out and burned as punishment.

In this scene, Judah is reacting to news about Tamar, who was supposed to remain unmarried until Judah’s youngest son was old enough to marry her. The accusation against Tamar uses strong language, and Judah responds with a harsh judgment, reflecting the seriousness with which sexual misconduct was viewed in his culture. This verse sets up the dramatic confrontation that follows, where the truth about Tamar’s pregnancy is revealed.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 38:24

  • "Harlot" (זָנָה, zanah): This word means to act as a prostitute or to be sexually unfaithful. Its use here emphasizes the accusation against Tamar and the perceived gravity of her actions.
  • "Whoredom" (זְנוּנִים, zenunim): This noun form intensifies the charge, suggesting not just a single act but a pattern or reputation of sexual immorality. It highlights the shame attached to Tamar’s situation in the eyes of the community.
  • "Burnt" (שָׂרַף, saraph): Judah’s command to burn Tamar shows the severity of the punishment he thought appropriate. This was an extreme penalty, not commonly prescribed for this situation, which underscores the emotional and cultural intensity of the moment.

Why Genesis 38:24 matters

  • This verse shows Judah’s initial hypocrisy, since he himself was involved in Tamar’s pregnancy, though he did not know it yet. It highlights the double standard often present in ancient societies regarding sexual behavior.
  • The strong reaction and punishment Judah calls for sets the stage for Tamar’s bold response in the following verses, where she reveals Judah’s role in her pregnancy.
  • Understanding the language and severity of the accusation helps readers grasp the tension and stakes in the story, making Tamar’s later vindication even more significant.

Where else these words appear

“whoredom” Hebrew H2183 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Kings 9:22 And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?
  • Hosea 1:2 The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.
  • Hosea 4:12 My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.

“child” Hebrew H2030 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 16:11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
  • 1 Samuel 4:19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.
  • Isaiah 26:17 Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.

“Tamar” Hebrew H8559 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 38:6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.
  • 2 Samuel 13:5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
  • 2 Samuel 13:22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

“law” Hebrew H3618 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 11:31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
  • Ruth 4:15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
  • Isaiah 62:5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.