Genesis 38 – read and compare multiple versions of the Bible
World English Bible
Genesis 38 (WEBP)
[1] At that time, Judah went down from his brothers, and visited a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.
[2] There, Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite man named Shua. He took her, and went in to her.
[3] She conceived, and bore a son; and he named him Er.
[4] She conceived again, and bore a son; and she named him Onan.
[5] She yet again bore a son, and named him Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him.
[6] Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
[7] Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in Yahweh’s sight. So Yahweh killed him.
[8] Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.”
[9] Onan knew that the offspring wouldn’t be his; and when he went in to his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground, lest he should give offspring to his brother.
[10] The thing which he did was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and he killed him also.
[11] Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, until Shelah, my son, is grown up;” for he said, “Lest he also die, like his brothers.” Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.
[12] After many days, Shua’s daughter, the wife of Judah, died. Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheep shearers to Timnah, he and his friend Hirah, the Adullamite.
[13] Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”
[14] She took off the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she wasn’t given to him as a wife.
[15] When Judah saw her, he thought that she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face.
[16] He turned to her by the way, and said, “Please come, let me come in to you,” for he didn’t know that she was his daughter-in-law. She said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?”
[17] He said, “I will send you a young goat from the flock.” She said, “Will you give me a pledge, until you send it?”
[18] He said, “What pledge will I give you?” She said, “Your signet and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.” He gave them to her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him.
[19] She arose, and went away, and put off her veil from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
[20] Judah sent the young goat by the hand of his friend, the Adullamite, to receive the pledge from the woman’s hand, but he didn’t find her.
[21] Then he asked the men of her place, saying, “Where is the prostitute, that was at Enaim by the road?” They said, “There has been no prostitute here.”
[22] He returned to Judah, and said, “I haven’t found her; and also the men of the place said, ‘There has been no prostitute here.’ ”
[23] Judah said, “Let her keep it, lest we be shamed. Behold, I sent this young goat, and you haven’t found her.”
[24] About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute. Moreover, behold, she is with child by prostitution.” Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.”
[25] When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man who owns these.” She also said, “Please discern whose these are—the signet, and the cords, and the staff.”
[26] Judah acknowledged them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son.” He knew her again no more.
[27] In the time of her travail, behold, twins were in her womb.
[28] When she travailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This came out first.”
[29] As he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out, and she said, “Why have you made a breach for yourself?” Therefore his name was called Perez.°
[30] Afterward his brother came out, who had the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.°
Genesis 38:29 Perez means “breaking out”.
Genesis 38:30 Zerah means “scarlet” or “brightness”.
Scripture quotations are taken from The World English Bible™ of eBible.org, 2020 stable text edition. It is in the public domain.
King James w/Strong’s #s
Genesis 38 (KJVS)
[1] And it came to pass at that time, H6256 that Judah H3063 went down H3381 (QalImpf) from his brethren, H251 and turned H5186 (QalImpf) in to a certain H376 Adullamite, H5726 whose name H8034 [was] Hirah. H2437
[2] And Judah H3063 saw H7200 (QalImpf) there a daughter H1323 of a certain H376 Canaanite, H3669 whose name H8034 [was] Shuah; H7770 and he took her, H3947 (QalImpf) and went in H935 (QalImpf) unto her.
[3] And she conceived, H2029 (QalImpf) and bare H3205 (QalImpf) a son; H1121 and he called H7121 (QalImpf) his name H8034 Er. H6147
[4] And she conceived H2029 (QalImpf) again, and bare H3205 (QalImpf) a son; H1121 and she called H7121 (QalImpf) his name H8034 Onan. H209
[5] And she yet again conceived, H3254 (HiphImpf) and bare H3205 (QalImpf) a son; H1121 and called H7121 (QalImpf) his name H8034 Shelah: H7956 and he was at Chezib, H3580 when she bare H3205 (QalInf) him.
[6] And Judah H3063 took H3947 (QalImpf) a wife H802 for Er H6147 his firstborn, H1060 whose name H8034 [was] Tamar. H8559
[7] And Er, H6147 Judah’s H3063 firstborn, H1060 was wicked H7451 in the sight H5869 of the Lord; H3068 and the Lord H3068 slew H4191 (HiphImpf) him.
[8] And Judah H3063 said H559 (QalImpf) unto Onan, H209 Go in H935 (QalImpv) unto thy brother’s H251 wife, H802 and marry H2992 (PielImpv) her, and raise up H6965 (HiphImpv) seed H2233 to thy brother. H251
[9] And Onan H209 knew H3045 (QalImpf) that the seed H2233 should not be his; and it came to pass, when H518 he went in H935 (QalActPtc) unto his brother’s H251 wife, H802 that he spilled H7843 (PielPerf) [it] on the ground, H776 lest H1115 that he should give H5414 (QalInf) seed H2233 to his brother. H251
[10] And the thing which H834 he did H6213 (QalPerf) displeased H3415 (QalImpf) H5869 the Lord: H3068 wherefore he slew H4191 (HiphImpf) him also.
[11] Then said H559 (QalImpf) Judah H3063 to Tamar H8559 his daughter in law, H3618 Remain H3427 (QalImpv) a widow H490 at thy father’s H1 house, H1004 till Shelah H7956 my son H1121 be grown: H1431 (QalImpf) for he said, H559 (QalPerf) Lest peradventure he die H4191 (QalImpf) also, as his brethren H251 [did]. And Tamar H8559 went H3212 (QalImpf) and dwelt H3427 (QalImpf) in her father’s H1 house. H1004
[12] And in process H7235 (QalImpf) of time H3117 the daughter H1323 of Shuah H7770 Judah’s H3063 wife H802 died; H4191 (QalImpf) and Judah H3063 was comforted, H5162 (NiphImpf) and went up H5927 (QalImpf) unto his sheepshearers H1494 (QalActPtc) H6629 to Timnath, H8553 he and his friend H7453 Hirah H2437 the Adullamite. H5726
[13] And it was told H5046 (HophImpf) Tamar, H8559 saying, H559 (QalInf) Behold thy father in law H2524 goeth up H5927 (QalActPtc) to Timnath H8553 to shear H1494 (QalInf) his sheep. H6629
[14] And she put H5493 her widow’s H491 garments H899 off H5493 (HiphImpf) from her, and covered her H3680 (PielImpf) with a vail, H6809 and wrapped herself, H5968 (HithImpf) and sat in H3427 (QalImpf) an open H5869 place, H6607 which [is] by the way H1870 to Timnath; H8553 for she saw H7200 (QalPerf) that Shelah H7956 was grown, H1431 (QalPerf) and she was not given H5414 (NiphPerf) unto him to wife. H802
[15] When Judah H3063 saw her, H7200 (QalImpf) he thought H2803 (QalImpf) her [to be] an harlot; H2181 (QalActPtc) because she had covered H3680 (PielPerf) her face. H6440
[16] And he turned H5186 (QalImpf) unto her by the way, H1870 and said, H559 (QalImpf) Go to, H3051 (QalImpv) I pray thee, let me come in H935 (QalImpf) unto thee; (for he knew H3045 (QalPerf) not that she [was] his daughter in law. H3618) And she said, H559 (QalImpf) What wilt thou give H5414 (QalImpf) me, that thou mayest come in H935 (QalImpf) unto me?
[17] And he said, H559 (QalImpf) I will send H7971 (PielImpf) [thee] a kid H5795 H1423 from the flock. H6629 And she said, H559 (QalImpf) Wilt thou give H5414 (QalImpf) [me] a pledge, H6162 till thou send H7971 (QalInf) [it]?
[18] And he said, H559 (QalImpf) What H834 pledge H6162 shall I give H5414 (QalImpf) thee? And she said, H559 (QalImpf) Thy signet, H2368 and thy bracelets, H6616 and thy staff H4294 that [is] in thine hand. H3027 And he gave H5414 (QalImpf) [it] her, and came in H935 (QalImpf) unto her, and she conceived H2029 (QalImpf) by him.
[19] And she arose, H6965 (QalImpf) and went away, H3212 (QalImpf) and laid by H5493 (HiphImpf) her vail H6809 from her, and put on H3847 (QalImpf) the garments H899 of her widowhood. H491
[20] And Judah H3063 sent H7971 (QalImpf) the kid H1423 H5795 by the hand H3027 of his friend H7453 the Adullamite, H5726 to receive H3947 (QalInf) [his] pledge H6162 from the woman’s H802 hand: H3027 but he found her H4672 (QalPerf) not.
[21] Then he asked H7592 (QalImpf) the men H582 of that place, H4725 saying, H559 (QalInf) Where [is] the harlot, H6948 that [was] openly H5869 by the way side? H1870 And they said, H559 (QalImpf) There was no harlot H6948 in this H2088 [place].
[22] And he returned H7725 (QalImpf) to Judah, H3063 and said, H559 (QalImpf) I cannot H3808 find H4672 (QalPerf) her; and also the men H582 of the place H4725 said, H559 (QalPerf) [that] there was no harlot H6948 in this [place].
[23] And Judah H3063 said, H559 (QalImpf) Let her take H3947 (QalImpf) [it] to her, lest we be shamed: H937 behold, I sent H7971 (QalPerf) this kid, H1423 and thou hast not found H4672 (QalPerf) her.
[24] And it came to pass about three H7969 months H2320 after, that it was told H5046 (HophImpf) Judah, H3063 saying, H559 (QalInf) Tamar H8559 thy daughter in law H3618 hath played the harlot; H2181 (QalPerf) and also, behold, she [is] with child H2030 by whoredom. H2183 And Judah H3063 said, H559 (QalImpf) Bring her forth, H3318 (HiphImpv) and let her be burnt. H8313 (NiphImpf)
[25] When she [was] brought forth, H3318 (HophPtc) she sent H7971 (QalPerf) to her father in law, H2524 saying, H559 (QalInf) By the man, H376 whose these [are, am] I with child: H2030 and she said, H559 (QalImpf) Discern, H5234 (HiphImpv) I pray thee, whose [are] these, the signet, H2858 and bracelets, H6616 and staff. H4294
[26] And Judah H3063 acknowledged H5234 (HiphImpf) [them], and said, H559 (QalImpf) She hath been more righteous H6663 (QalPerf) than I; because that I gave H5414 (QalPerf) her not to Shelah H7956 my son. H1121 And he knew her H3045 (QalInf) again H3254 (QalPerf) no more.
[27] And it came to pass in the time H6256 of her travail, H3205 (QalInf) that, behold, twins H8380 [were] in her womb. H990
[28] And it came to pass, when she travailed, H3205 (QalInf) that [the one] put out H5414 (QalImpf) [his] hand: H3027 and the midwife H3205 (PielPtc) took H3947 (QalImpf) and bound H7194 (QalImpf) upon his hand H3027 a scarlet thread, H8144 saying, H559 (QalInf) This came out H3318 (QalPerf) first. H7223
[29] And it came to pass, as he drew back H7725 (HiphPtc) his hand, H3027 that, behold, his brother H251 came out: H3318 (QalPerf) and she said, H559 (QalImpf) How hast thou broken forth? H6555 (QalPerf) [this] breach H6556 [be] upon thee: therefore his name H8034 was called H7121 (QalImpf) Pharez. H6557
[30] And afterward H310 came out H3318 (QalPerf) his brother, H251 that had the scarlet thread H8144 upon his hand: H3027 and his name H8034 was called H7121 (QalImpf) Zarah. H2226
Greek Bible (LXX/BYZ)
Genesis 38 (BYZ)
[1] εγενετο δε εν τω καιρω εκεινω κατεβη ιουδας απο των αδελφων αυτου και αφικετο εως προς ανθρωπον τινα οδολλαμιτην ω ονομα ιρας
[2] και ειδεν εκει ιουδας θυγατερα ανθρωπου χαναναιου η ονομα σαυα και ελαβεν αυτην και εισηλθεν προς αυτην
[3] και συλλαβουσα ετεκεν υιον και εκαλεσεν το ονομα αυτου ηρ
[4] και συλλαβουσα ετι ετεκεν υιον και εκαλεσεν το ονομα αυτου αυναν
[5] και προσθεισα ετι ετεκεν υιον και εκαλεσεν το ονομα αυτου σηλωμ αυτη δε ην εν χασβι ηνικα ετεκεν αυτους
[6] και ελαβεν ιουδας γυναικα ηρ τω πρωτοτοκω αυτου η ονομα θαμαρ
[7] εγενετο δε ηρ πρωτοτοκος ιουδα πονηρος εναντιον κυριου και απεκτεινεν αυτον ο θεος
[8] ειπεν δε ιουδας τω αυναν εισελθε προς την γυναικα του αδελφου σου και γαμβρευσαι αυτην και αναστησον σπερμα τω αδελφω σου
[9] γνους δε αυναν οτι ουκ αυτω εσται το σπερμα εγινετο οταν εισηρχετο προς την γυναικα του αδελφου αυτου εξεχεεν επι την γην του μη δουναι σπερμα τω αδελφω αυτου
[10] πονηρον δε εφανη εναντιον του θεου οτι εποιησεν τουτο και εθανατωσεν και τουτον
[11] ειπεν δε ιουδας θαμαρ τη νυμφη αυτου καθου χηρα εν τω οικω του πατρος σου εως μεγας γενηται σηλωμ ο υιος μου ειπεν γαρ μηποτε αποθανη και ουτος ωσπερ οι αδελφοι αυτου απελθουσα δε θαμαρ εκαθητο εν τω οικω του πατρος αυτης
[12] επληθυνθησαν δε αι ημεραι και απεθανεν σαυα η γυνη ιουδα και παρακληθεις ιουδας ανεβη επι τους κειροντας τα προβατα αυτου αυτος και ιρας ο ποιμην αυτου ο οδολλαμιτης εις θαμνα
[13] και απηγγελη θαμαρ τη νυμφη αυτου λεγοντες ιδου ο πενθερος σου αναβαινει εις θαμνα κειραι τα προβατα αυτου
[14] και περιελομενη τα ιματια της χηρευσεως αφ εαυτης περιεβαλετο θεριστρον και εκαλλωπισατο και εκαθισεν προς ταις πυλαις αιναν η εστιν εν παροδω θαμνα ειδεν γαρ οτι μεγας γεγονεν σηλωμ αυτος δε ουκ εδωκεν αυτην αυτω γυναικα
[15] και ιδων αυτην ιουδας εδοξεν αυτην πορνην ειναι κατεκαλυψατο γαρ το προσωπον αυτης και ουκ επεγνω αυτην
[16] εξεκλινεν δε προς αυτην την οδον και ειπεν αυτη εασον με εισελθειν προς σε ου γαρ εγνω οτι η νυμφη αυτου εστιν η δε ειπεν τι μοι δωσεις εαν εισελθης προς με
[17] ο δε ειπεν εγω σοι αποστελω εριφον αιγων εκ των προβατων η δε ειπεν εαν δως αρραβωνα εως του αποστειλαι σε
[18] ο δε ειπεν τινα τον αρραβωνα σοι δωσω η δε ειπεν τον δακτυλιον σου και τον ορμισκον και την ραβδον την εν τη χειρι σου και εδωκεν αυτη και εισηλθεν προς αυτην και εν γαστρι ελαβεν εξ αυτου
[19] και αναστασα απηλθεν και περιειλατο το θεριστρον αφ εαυτης και ενεδυσατο τα ιματια της χηρευσεως αυτης
[20] απεστειλεν δε ιουδας τον εριφον εξ αιγων εν χειρι του ποιμενος αυτου του οδολλαμιτου κομισασθαι τον αρραβωνα παρα της γυναικος και ουχ ευρεν αυτην
[21] επηρωτησεν δε τους ανδρας τους εκ του τοπου που εστιν η πορνη η γενομενη εν αιναν επι της οδου και ειπαν ουκ ην ενταυθα πορνη
[22] και απεστραφη προς ιουδαν και ειπεν ουχ ευρον και οι ανθρωποι οι εκ του τοπου λεγουσιν μη ειναι ωδε πορνην
[23] ειπεν δε ιουδας εχετω αυτα αλλα μηποτε καταγελασθωμεν εγω μεν απεσταλκα τον εριφον τουτον συ δε ουχ ευρηκας
[24] εγενετο δε μετα τριμηνον απηγγελη τω ιουδα λεγοντες εκπεπορνευκεν θαμαρ η νυμφη σου και ιδου εν γαστρι εχει εκ πορνειας ειπεν δε ιουδας εξαγαγετε αυτην και κατακαυθητω
[25] αυτη δε αγομενη απεστειλεν προς τον πενθερον αυτης λεγουσα εκ του ανθρωπου τινος ταυτα εστιν εγω εν γαστρι εχω και ειπεν επιγνωθι τινος ο δακτυλιος και ο ορμισκος και η ραβδος αυτη
[26] επεγνω δε ιουδας και ειπεν δεδικαιωται θαμαρ η εγω ου εινεκεν ουκ εδωκα αυτην σηλωμ τω υιω μου και ου προσεθετο ετι του γνωναι αυτην
[27] εγενετο δε ηνικα ετικτεν και τηδε ην διδυμα εν τη γαστρι αυτης
[28] εγενετο δε εν τω τικτειν αυτην ο εις προεξηνεγκεν την χειρα λαβουσα δε η μαια εδησεν επι την χειρα αυτου κοκκινον λεγουσα ουτος εξελευσεται προτερος
[29] ως δε επισυνηγαγεν την χειρα και ευθυς εξηλθεν ο αδελφος αυτου η δε ειπεν τι διεκοπη δια σε φραγμος και εκαλεσεν το ονομα αυτου φαρες
[30] και μετα τουτο εξηλθεν ο αδελφος αυτου εφ ω ην επι τη χειρι αυτου το κοκκινον και εκαλεσεν το ονομα αυτου ζαρα