---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Genesis 38"
description: "CHAPTER 38   :-. JUDAH AND
FAMILY. 1. at that time—a formula
frequently used by the sacred writers, not to describe any precise
period, but an interval ne"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/genesis/38"
---

![Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible](/images/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible.jpg)

 The Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
 
Include 66 books
 
Denomination: calvinism
 
 GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong Of SolomonIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation 1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950 

CHAPTER 38

. JUDAH AND
FAMILY.

**1. at that time**—a formula
frequently used by the sacred writers, not to describe any precise
period, but an interval near about it.

**2. And Judah saw there a daughter of
a certain Canaanite**—Like Esau [], this son of Jacob, casting off the restraints of
religion, married into a Canaanite family; and it is not surprising
that the family which sprang from such an unsuitable connection
should be infamous for bold and unblushing wickedness.

**8. Judah said unto Onan . . . marry
her, and raise up seed to thy brother**—The first instance of a
custom, which was afterwards incorporated among the laws of Moses,
that when a husband died leaving a widow, his brother next of age was
to marry her, and the issue, if any, was to be served heir to the
deceased (compare [Deuteronomy 25:5](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/25/5)).

**12. Judah . . . went up unto his
sheep-shearers**—This season, which occurs in Palestine towards
the end of March, was spent in more than usual hilarity, and the
wealthiest masters invited their friends, as well as treated their
servants, to sumptuous entertainments. Accordingly, it is said, Judah
was accompanied by his friend Hirah.
**Timnath**—in the
mountains of Judah.

**18. signet,** c.—Bracelets,
including armlets, were worn by men as well as women among the
Hebrews. But the *Hebrew* word here rendered "bracelets,"
is everywhere else translated "lace" or "ribbon"
so that as the signet alone was probably more than an equivalent for
the kid, it is not easy to conjecture why the other things were given
in addition, except by supposing the perforated seal was attached by
a ribbon to the staff.

**24. Bring her forth, and let her be
burnt**—In patriarchal times fathers seem to have possessed the
power of life and death over the members of their families. The crime
of adultery was anciently punished in many places by burning ([Leviticus 21:9](../../../kjv/leviticus/21/9);
[Judges 15:6](../../../kjv/judges/15/6); [Jeremiah 29:22](../../../kjv/jeremiah/29/22)).
This chapter contains details, which probably would never have
obtained a place in the inspired record, had it not been to exhibit
the full links of the chain that connects the genealogy of the
Saviour with Abraham; and in the disreputable character of the
ancestry who figure in this passage, we have a remarkable proof that
"He made himself of no reputation" [[Jeremiah 29:22](../../../kjv/jeremiah/29/22)].

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