New International VersionAfter she left, she took off her veil and put on her widow’s clothes again.
New Living TranslationAfterward she went back home, took off her veil, and put on her widow’s clothing as usual.
English Standard VersionThen she arose and went away, and taking off her veil she put on the garments of her widowhood.
Berean Standard BibleThen Tamar got up and departed. And she removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments again.
King James BibleAnd she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
New King James VersionSo she arose and went away, and laid aside her veil and put on the garments of her widowhood.
New American Standard BibleThen she got up and departed, and removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments.
NASB 1995Then she arose and departed, and removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments.
NASB 1977 Then she arose and departed, and removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments.
Legacy Standard Bible Then she arose and went. And she removed her veil from herself and put on her widow’s garments.
Amplified BibleThen she got up and left, and removed her veil and put on her widow’s clothing.
Christian Standard BibleShe got up and left, then removed her veil and put her widow’s clothes back on.
Holman Christian Standard BibleShe got up and left, then removed her veil and put her widow’s clothes back on.
American Standard VersionAnd she arose, and went away, and put off her veil from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
Contemporary English VersionAfter returning home, Tamar took off the veil and dressed in her widow's clothes again.
English Revised VersionAnd she arose, and went away, and put off her veil from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationAfter she got up and left, she took off her veil and put her widow's clothes back on.
Good News TranslationTamar went home, took off her veil, and put her widow's clothes back on.
International Standard VersionThen she got up and left. Later, she took off her shawl and put on her mourning clothes.
NET BibleShe left immediately, removed her veil, and put on her widow's clothes.
New Heart English BibleAnd she got up and left, and took off her veil, and put on her widow’s clothing.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd she arose and went her way and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Tamar got up and departed. And she removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments again.
World English BibleShe arose, and went away, and put off her veil from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand she rises, and goes, and turns aside her veil from off her, and puts on the garments of her widowhood.
Young's Literal Translation and she riseth, and goeth, and turneth aside her vail from off her, and putteth on the garments of her widowhood.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd she will arise and go, and will put away her veil from her, and will put on the garments of her widowhood. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd she arose and went her way: and putting off the apparel which she had taken, put on the garments of her widowhood.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd she arose and went away. And storing away the garments that she had taken up, she was clothed in the garments of her widowhood.
New American BibleAfter she got up and went away, she took off her shawl and put on her widow’s garments again.
New Revised Standard VersionThen she got up and went away, and taking off her veil she put on the garments of her widowhood. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd she arose and went away and took off her veil from her and put on the garments of her widowhood.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd she arose and she went and she put away the veil from her and she put on the clothes of her widowhood. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And she arose, and went away, and put off her veil from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd she arose and departed, and took her veil from off her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Judah and Tamar… 18“What pledge should I give you?” he asked. She answered, “Your seal and your cord, and the staff in your hand.” So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. 19Then Tamar got up and departed. And she removed her veil and put on her widow’s garments again. 20Now when Judah sent his friend Hirah the Adullamite with the young goat to collect the items he had left with the woman, he could not find her.…
Cross References Genesis 37:31-33Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. / They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe or not.” / His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!”
Genesis 39:12-16She grabbed Joseph by his cloak and said, “Sleep with me!” But leaving his cloak in her hand, he escaped and ran outside. / When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, / she called her household servants. “Look,” she said, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us. He came to me so he could sleep with me, but I screamed as loud as I could. ...
Deuteronomy 22:13-21Suppose a man marries a woman, has relations with her, and comes to hate her, / and he then accuses her of shameful conduct and gives her a bad name, saying, “I married this woman and had relations with her, but I discovered she was not a virgin.” / Then the young woman’s father and mother shall bring the proof of her virginity to the city elders at the gate ...
Leviticus 19:29You must not defile your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will be prostituted and filled with depravity.
Proverbs 7:10-12Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart. / She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home. / Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner.
Proverbs 31:10-31A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. ...
Isaiah 3:16-24The LORD also says: “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty—walking with heads held high and wanton eyes, prancing and skipping as they go, jingling the bracelets on their ankles— / the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare.” / In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents; ...
Jeremiah 3:1-3“If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers—and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD. / “Lift up your eyes to the barren heights and see. Is there any place where you have not been violated? You sat beside the highways waiting for your lovers, like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness. / Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed.
Ezekiel 16:32-34You adulterous wife! You receive strangers instead of your own husband! / Men give gifts to all their prostitutes, but you gave gifts to all your lovers. You bribed them to come to you from everywhere for your illicit favors. / So your prostitution is the opposite of that of other women: No one solicited your favors, and you paid a fee instead of receiving one; so you are the very opposite!
Hosea 2:5-7For their mother has played the harlot and has conceived them in disgrace. For she thought, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me bread and water, wool and linen, oil and drink.’ / Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her path with thorns; I will enclose her with a wall, so she cannot find her way. / She will pursue her lovers but not catch them; she will seek them but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will return to my first husband, for then I was better off than now.’
Matthew 1:3Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.
Matthew 5:32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Matthew 21:31-32Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. / For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Mark 7:21-23For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”
Luke 15:30But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
Genesis 38:14
And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. 2 Samuel 14:2,5
And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead: … Jump to Previous Clothes Clothing Departed Garments Laid Putteth Removed Riseth Turneth Vail Veil Way Widowhood Widow'sJump to Next Clothes Clothing Departed Garments Laid Putteth Removed Riseth Turneth Vail Veil Way Widowhood Widow'sGenesis 38 1. Judah begets Er, Onan, and Shelah.6. Er's marriage with Tamar, and death.8. The trespass of Onan.11. Tamar is reserved for Shelah.12. Judah's wife dies.13. Tamar deceives Judah.27. She bears twins, Pharez and Zarah.Then Tamar got up and departed.Tamar's actions follow her encounter with Judah, where she successfully secures her rights within the family lineage. Her departure signifies the completion of her plan to ensure her place in the family line, which was threatened by Judah's failure to provide her with his son Shelah as a husband. This moment is pivotal in the narrative, as it sets the stage for the birth of Perez and Zerah, who are significant in the genealogy of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ ( Matthew 1:3). The act of departing also reflects her agency and determination in a patriarchal society where women often had limited power. And she removed her veil
The veil in this context is significant as it was used by Tamar to disguise herself as a prostitute to seduce Judah. In ancient Near Eastern culture, veils were often associated with women of ill repute or those in mourning. By removing the veil, Tamar is shedding the temporary identity she assumed to achieve her goal. This act symbolizes a return to her true self and status, as well as the conclusion of her ruse. The veil also serves as a narrative device highlighting themes of deception and revelation, which are prevalent throughout the story. and put on her widow’s garments again.
Widow's garments were a sign of mourning and indicated Tamar's status as a widow of Judah's sons, Er and Onan. By putting these garments back on, Tamar resumes her rightful place in society, emphasizing her legitimate claim to Judah's family line. This act underscores the cultural and legal expectations of levirate marriage, where a widow was to be given to the next of kin to produce offspring for the deceased husband. Tamar's return to her widow's attire also foreshadows the eventual recognition and vindication of her actions when Judah acknowledges her righteousness later in the chapter. This moment connects to the broader biblical theme of God's providence and justice, as seen in other stories where the marginalized are vindicated, such as Ruth and Esther. Persons / Places / Events 1. TamarThe widow of Er, Judah's firstborn, who disguises herself to secure her rights and future. 2. JudahOne of the twelve sons of Jacob, who unknowingly becomes involved with Tamar. 3. The VeilA symbol of Tamar's disguise, representing her temporary role as a prostitute. 4. Widow’s GarmentsThe clothing Tamar resumes wearing, signifying her return to her status as a widow. 5. The EventTamar's strategic plan to ensure her place in Judah's family line, which involves a temporary disguise. Teaching Points The Importance of Justice and RightsTamar's actions highlight the importance of securing one's rights and the lengths to which individuals may go to achieve justice. God's Sovereignty in Imperfect SituationsDespite the morally complex situation, God's plan unfolds, showing His ability to work through human imperfection. The Role of Women in God's PlanTamar's account emphasizes the active role women play in biblical accounts and God's redemptive history. Repentance and RedemptionJudah's eventual acknowledgment of Tamar's righteousness (later in the chapter) serves as a reminder of the power of repentance and redemption. Cultural Context and Biblical LawUnderstanding the cultural and legal context of the time helps us appreciate the motivations and actions of biblical characters. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 38:19?
2. How does Genesis 38:19 illustrate consequences of deceit in personal relationships?
3. What can we learn about repentance from Tamar's actions in Genesis 38:19?
4. How does Genesis 38:19 connect to God's justice throughout the Bible?
5. How can we apply the lessons of Genesis 38:19 in our daily lives?
6. What does Genesis 38:19 teach about accountability and responsibility in our actions?
7. Why did Tamar remove her widow's garments in Genesis 38:19?
8. What is the significance of Tamar's actions in Genesis 38:19?
9. How does Genesis 38:19 fit into the larger narrative of Genesis?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 38?
11. In Genesis 38:14-18, how credible is it historically that Judah would fail to recognize his own daughter-in-law simply because she covered her face?
12. In Genesis 38:25-26, why does Judah suddenly shift from condemning Tamar to declaring her 'more righteous' than he is, without any direct divine intervention or clear moral explanation?
13. In Genesis 38:1-11, why would God punish Onan's refusal to father children for Tamar so severely, yet no comparable punishment is shown for Judah's neglect of her?
14. What happened to Tamar in the biblical narrative?What Does Genesis 38:19 Mean Then Tamar got up and departed• The immediate action shows Tamar’s resolve; she does not linger once her purpose is accomplished (compare Ruth 3:14, where Ruth leaves the threshing floor before first light). • Her departure safeguards her identity, preventing Judah from recognizing her and jeopardizing the plan that will secure her rightful place in the covenant line (cf. Proverbs 14:15; Matthew 10:16). • Her faith is active—she has taken a bold step much like the “works” that accompany genuine faith in James 2:17.
And she removed her veil• The veil was the key to her disguise. Removing it ends the ruse and restores transparency, echoing how “when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed” (2 Corinthians 3:16). • Genesis often highlights pivotal moments tied to garments (Genesis 37:31–33; 41:42). Here, the veil’s removal marks a turning point: Tamar switches from acting to waiting. • It underscores personal integrity: she deceived only for the brief moment necessary to secure justice, then immediately dropped the façade.
Put on her widow’s garments again• Widow’s clothing identified her public status and reminded Judah of his levirate obligation (Deuteronomy 25:5–10). • By resuming these garments, Tamar demonstrates submission to God’s law while still trusting Him to vindicate her (Psalm 68:5; 1 Timothy 5:5). • The text highlights the contrast between outward mourning and inward hope: Tamar dresses as a widow yet believes new life will spring from her actions (Isaiah 61:3).
summaryGenesis 38:19 portrays Tamar’s swift, deliberate shift from bold initiative back to patient expectation. She departs, discards the disguise, and dons her widow’s attire, trusting God to honor her pursuit of covenant rights and to expose Judah’s responsibility in His perfect timing. Verse 19. - And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew After she got upוַתָּ֣קָם (wat·tā·qām)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, standand left,וַתֵּ֔לֶךְ (wat·tê·leḵ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walkshe removedוַתָּ֥סַר (wat·tā·sar)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5493: To turn asideher veilצְעִיפָ֖הּ (ṣə·‘î·p̄āh)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6809: A wrapper, shawl, or veiland put on her widow’sאַלְמְנוּתָֽהּ׃ (’al·mə·nū·ṯāh)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 491: A widow, widowhoodgarmentsבִּגְדֵ֥י (biḡ·ḏê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillageagain.וַתִּלְבַּ֖שׁ (wat·til·baš)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3847: Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe
Links Genesis 38:19 NIVGenesis 38:19 NLTGenesis 38:19 ESVGenesis 38:19 NASBGenesis 38:19 KJV
Genesis 38:19 BibleApps.comGenesis 38:19 Biblia ParalelaGenesis 38:19 Chinese BibleGenesis 38:19 French BibleGenesis 38:19 Catholic Bible
OT Law: Genesis 38:19 She arose and went away and put (Gen. Ge Gn) |
