Verse

Genesis 38:13

ESV And when Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,”
NIV When Tamar was told, 'Your father-in-law is on his way to Timnah to shear his sheep,'
NASB And Tamar was told, 'Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.'
CSB Tamar was told, "Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep."
NLT Someone told Tamar, 'Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.'
KJV And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.

What does Genesis 38:13 mean?

Tamar had been married and widowed by two of Judah's sons, both killed by the Lord for their wickedness (Genesis 38:6–10). She had moved back in with her father's household, but she was waiting for Judah to decide his third son was old enough to marry her, as custom demanded (Genesis 38:11). The custom was meant to protect the rights of childless widows, as remarriage was difficult. The fact that Judah has no intention of making good on his promise (Genesis 38:14) means he has effectively abandoned her.

Enough time has passed since Judah's initial promise that the deception is clear. When Tamar learns Judah is on his way to Timnah, she hatches a plan to force her father-in-law to include her in his family and take care of her (Genesis 38:14–15).
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