What does Genesis 38:16 mean?
In Scripture, everyone—even God's chosen people—are honestly presented as flawed human beings. Jacob's son Judah (Genesis 29:25) likely went against his family's instructions in marrying a local Canaanite woman (Genesis 28:1). Two of the three sons he had with her have been killed by God for their wickedness (Genesis 38:7–10) and now she, too, has died (Genesis 38:12). Judah, who told his sons' widow Tamar that he would allow her to marry his third son (Genesis 38:11), has not followed through on that commitment (Genesis 38:14). His comforting promise to her was a lie, leaving her widowed, childless, and without hope.Now, Judah is propositioning a roadside prostitute (Genesis 38:15). He's completely unaware she is, in fact, this same daughter-in-law in disguise. Tamar is working a dangerous scheme to trap Judah into taking care of her. It's not a pretty scenario. Like many such encounters, it begins with a negotiation of price.
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.
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.