Genesis 38 - Introduction
_JUDAH BEGETTETH ER, ONAN, AND SHELAH. TAMAR DECEIVETH JUDAH, AND BRINGS FORTH PHAREZ AND ZARAH._ _Before Christ about 1734._... [ Continue Reading ]
_JUDAH BEGETTETH ER, ONAN, AND SHELAH. TAMAR DECEIVETH JUDAH, AND BRINGS FORTH PHAREZ AND ZARAH._ _Before Christ about 1734._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT CAME, &C.— Moses relates this transaction because it concerned the principal end which his history had in view; namely, to transmit the genealogy of Christ, who descended from Abraham by Judah; see Matthew 1:3. Le Clerc observes: "Though these words seem to connect the following events with t... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS AT CHEZIB— The name of a place not far distant from Adullam and Mamre, thought to be the same with Achzib, Joshua 15:44. Moses mentions Judah's absence when this child was born, probably as the reason why his wife gave names to the third as well as the second son; whereas he himself named the... [ Continue Reading ]
_GENESIS 38:6_, &C. _NAME WAS TAMAR_— It is not said who or of what family Tamar was, though it is most probable she was a Canaanitess; nor does it appear what was the crime of Er; enormous enough, no doubt, to draw down so exemplary a punishment from God. It is plain, from this transaction, that th... [ Continue Reading ]
REMAIN A WIDOW, &C.— Hence it appears that the contract of marriage was so understood in those days, that if the husband died without issue, the woman must marry his next brother; and as long as any of his brethren remained, they were bound to marry his wife. It is difficult to determine with what i... [ Continue Reading ]
IN PROCESS OF TIME— i.e.. After some years. _Timnath_ was a town within the lot of the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:57.... [ Continue Reading ]
THY SIGNET, AND THY BRACELETS, &C.— By the _signet_ is meant the ring wherewith he sealed. The word rendered _bracelets_ signifies _wreaths_ for the arm or neck, twisted collars, or _bracelets._ So the Latin _torques,_ from _torqueo,_ to twist. Aquila and Symmachus, who render it by στρεπτον from στ... [ Continue Reading ]
_GENESIS 38:28_, &C. _AND IT CAME,_ &C.— This account is given to shew how the right of primogeniture was settled between these twin brothers. _This breach against thee,_ (as it is in the margin of our Bibles,) Houbigant contends should be, _that breach against US;_ he would read, עלינו _aleinu,_ af... [ Continue Reading ]