Genesis 38:24 Commentary and Bible Study

Eventually Judah hears that Tamar has behaved in a scandalous way. In his hypocrisy he conveniently forgets about the beam in his own eye, and dares to judge her. Not only does he judge her, but he hands out a heavy sentence – she is to be brought out and publicly burnt. He says all this to his own condemnation, for ‘with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again’ (Matthew 7:2). Was Jacob really such a zealot for justice? No, it was more about getting rid of Tamar. Matthew Henry says, ‘It is a common thing, but a very bad thing, to cover malice against men’s persons with a show of zeal against their vices.’Tamar is brought out, but she has planned for this moment, and shown considerable foresight, reading Jacob skilfully. She didn’t want money, but she badly wanted these personal effects of Jacob, because they were going to be the saving of her life. She saw there was just about enough honesty in Jacob not to deny that these things were his. Though he had condemned her to be burnt, he would understand the situation well enough to see who was the most guilty party in this whole ugly affair – it was himself. He is forced to admit it publicly, for he has been public about this whole foul episode, and now he must be public about his sinful part in it.Only now does he realise how skilfully Tamar has played him, and that he has got what he deserved. It was he who was responsible for giving Shelah to Tamar, and the levirate arrangement demanded, and he had probably deliberately failed to do so. She had outmanoeuvred him and exposed his wickedness at the same time. This was clearly a judgment of God on him. This was a deeply improper incestuous relationship, and though two children came from it, the relationship could not be allowed to continue and Jacob did not know her again.