Comments on Genesis 38 This chapter is a compliment to ch. 34 in that it serves as a warning to men of Israel. Here we have Judah moving away from his brothers and taking a Canaanite wife. His sons end up being louts whom God curses and kills, presumably because they are raised with Canaanite traditions rather then Hebrew ones. Ultimately, Judah reneges on a deal to his daughter-in-law Tamar to fulfil the levir's duty. She then pulls a fast one on him by posing as a prostitute and getting him to lie with her. When he finds out she is pregnant he condemns her, only to find out that he is in fact guilty of far more. Thus the chapter is a morality play indicating once again that consorting with Gentiles, particularly "daughters of men" in this case, is a bad idea and leads to nothing but trouble. Judah's exposure to Canaanite culture ends up degrading his character such that he fails to observe the levir's duty, is willing to solicit prostitutes, and hypocritically condemns his daughter-in-law for allegedly sleeping around. One thing worth noting is the interplay between Judah and his friend Hirah. Judah kept comany with this "Adulamite", obviously not an Israelite. Note in all three references to Hirah (v. 1, 12, 20) he is labeled "Adulamite". Why so emphatic? To emphasize he is not Israelite. Hirah is involved with Judah's harlotry with Tamar, and even goes to redeem the pledge. He must therefore at least tacitly approve of this kind of behavior, he may well in fact encourage it. Also, note each time Hirah is referenced the text is dealing with Canaanite women. Hirah is persuading Judah to act like a Canaanite, and Judah is not persuading Hirah to act like an Israelite and worship the Lord. So, the moral of the story is to not keep company with worldly people who get you into trouble. Thus, it is another warning to Israelites about their Canaanite neighbors. The chapter is straightforward so I won't comment on the text in any detail. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.