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.
NKJV And it was told Tamar, saying, “Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah 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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Context Summary
Genesis 38:12–19 describes a plan devised by the childless widow, Tamar, to provide for her future after being abandoned by her father-in-law, Judah. He has violated tradition by delaying—refusing, it turns out—to give her to his next-oldest son, Shelah. Tamar disguises herself as a prostitute and engages in sex with Judah, keeping his signet ring and staff until he can pay her. This results in pregnancy, setting up a scandalous revelation.
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Chapter Summary
Jacob's son Judah marries a Canaanite woman and has three sons. His first son marries a woman called Tamar but is put to death by God for an unnamed sin. Judah follows tradition and marries Er's widow to the next oldest brother. Onan takes advantage of the situation for sex, but deliberately refuses to give her children. God puts him to death as well. When Judah abandons Tamar, she disguises herself as a prostitute and has sex with him. Found to be pregnant, she proves Judah is the father, and he admits his guilt. She then gives birth to twin boys.
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