Genesis 38:15 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓]
Genesis 38:15, NIV: When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face.Genesis 38:15, ESV: When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face.
Genesis 38:15, KJV: When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.
Genesis 38:15, NASB: When Judah saw her, he assumed she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face.
Genesis 38:15, NLT: Judah noticed her and thought she was a prostitute, since she had covered her face.
Genesis 38:15, CSB: When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face.
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The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.
What does Genesis 38:15 mean? [⇑ See verse text ⇑]
Judah told his widowed daughter-in-law Tamar she would be married to his son, Shelah, when the boy grew up (Genesis 38:11). Tamar has realized that's not going to happen—Judah's reassurance was a lie (Genesis 38:14). In that culture, a childless widow (Genesis 38:7–10) had no realistic prospects for marriage and no family to care for her into old age. Facing a dire future, Tamar is working a scheme to force Judah to take care of her.She has dressed herself as a prostitute, wearing a veil, and is waiting for Judah to pass by on the road (Genesis 38:13). Her plan works. She catches his eye, and Judah assumes she is, in fact, a prostitute. In part because of the veil, he never realizes she is his daughter-in-law. In the following verses, he will hire her services. Tamar will use this encounter to her advantage.