Genesis 38:17

“And hee said, I will send thee a kid from the flocke: and shee saide, Wilt thou giue mee a pledge, till thou send it?”

1611 King James Version (KJV)




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Other Translations

And he said, I will send [thee] a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give [me] a pledge, till thou send [it]?
- King James Version

He said, therefore, "I will send you a young goat from the flock. She said, moreover, "Will you give a pledge until you send {it?}""
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And he said, I will send thee a kid of the goats from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it?
- American Standard Version (1901)

And he said, I will give you a young goat from the flock. And she said, What will you give me as a sign till you send it?
- Basic English Bible

And he said, I will send [thee] a kid of the goats from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give [me] a pledge, until thou send it?
- Darby Bible

And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock: and she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou sendest it?
- Webster's Bible

He said, "I will send you a young goat from the flock." She said, "Will you give me a pledge, until you send it?"
- World English Bible

and he saith, `I -- I send a kid of the goats from the flock.' And she saith, `Dost thou give a pledge till thou send [it]?'
- Youngs Literal Bible

And he said: 'I will send thee a kid of the goats from the flock.' And she said: 'Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it?'
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Bible commentary

Wesley's Notes for Genesis 38:17


38:17 A kid from the flock - A goodly price at which her chastity and honour were valued! Had the consideration been thousands of rams, and ten thousand rivers of oil, it had not been a valuable consideration. The favour of God, the purity of the soul, the peace of the conscience, and the hope of heaven: are too precious to be exposed to sale at any such rates. He lost his Jewels by the bargain: He sent the kid according to his promise, to redeem his pawn, but the supposed harlot could not be found. He sent it by his friend, (who was indeed his back - friend, because he was aiding and abetting in his evil deeds) the Adullamite; who came back without the pledge. 'Tis a good account, if it be but true, of any place that which they here gave, that there is no harlot in this place, for such sinners are the scandals and plagues of any place. Judah sits down content to lose his signet and his bracelets, and forbids his friend to make any farther enquiry.


Discussion for Genesis 38

  • Dewey J
    Cesar, no he didn 't because she was impregnated by Judah. Even though that was the penalty in those days for adultery Tamar showed Judah and everyone else by presenting Proof of his signet, bracelets, and staff that Judah was the father Gen.38:25. Judah then confessed that Tamar had been more righteous than he. Tamar went approximately 6 months later to give birth to two sons Pharez and Zarah. God bless us all and also in the understanding of his Word. Praise God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!
  • Dewey J
    Jeremiah, interesting post. However, We must conclude that as the Scripture says, Isa. 55:8,9 "For my thoughs are not your thought, neither, are your ways my ways...Though you or me haven 't committed that particular sin as Judah here we all have our own sin Rom.3:10 "As it is written,there is none righteous, no, not one. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Therefore, We are commanded by God in Lu.6:37 "Judge not that you be not judged. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus in all situations in life as well as all Biblical stories. Because Ep.2:8,9 says, "For by grace are we saved through faith and that is not of ourselves it is the gift of God not of works least any man should boast. God bless us all and also in the understanding of his Word. Bless the Lord with all my soul and all that is within me bless his Holy name through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!
  • Peter mugendi mutara for verse 7
    am just amazed
  • Jeremiah
    vs 16 17 this is a strong conversation with Judah soliciting for sex from a harlot. who will think the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH will come from such a disgraceful grandparent. many times its God 's way of doing things. He chooses that which we look down upon , the disqualified ,rejected. also it will have been an easy task for the devil to trace where or by who JESUS was born if GOD had used the obvious.
  • Judah really had her burned, wow.
  • Joseph
    Indeed the ways and thoughts of God are higher than ours Isaiah 55 8 9. God decides who He uses at any point in time. God knew that Jesus would come through the lineage of Judah and He allowed Judah to impregnate his daughter in law though Judah did not know that time and allowed her to bear twins, Pharez who was supposed to be the junior twin coming out before Zarah who was supposed to be the senior twin read verses 27 30 , similar to Jacob taking the position of Esau. The lesson i learnt is that no matter how sinful you might have been, God will have mercy on you if you come to Him just as you are and ask Him for mercy and pardon. Indeed God will have mercy upon whom He will have mercy and nobody can question Him! May we receive Grace to come to Him with all our burdens and sins and leave them at the feet of Jesus Christ in Jesus Name. Amen

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