Genesis 38:26 kjv

And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

Genesis 38:26 nkjv

So Judah acknowledged them and said, "She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son." And he never knew her again.

Genesis 38:26 niv

Judah recognized them and said, "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah." And he did not sleep with her again.

Genesis 38:26 esv

Then Judah identified them and said, "She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah." And he did not know her again.

Genesis 38:26 nlt

Judah recognized them immediately and said, "She is more righteous than I am, because I didn't arrange for her to marry my son Shelah." And Judah never slept with Tamar again.

Genesis 38 verses

Genesis 38 26 Meaning

Genesis 38:26 marks a pivotal moment where Judah, confronted with the evidence of his own staff and signet, publicly acknowledges that Tamar, his daughter-in-law, has acted with more righteousness than he has. This confession stems from his failure to fulfill his levirate duty by giving his youngest son, Shelah, to Tamar after the deaths of Er and Onan. The verse concludes by stating that Judah did not have sexual relations with her again, indicating his acceptance of the outcome and the finality of their previously improper union once their true relationship and his negligence were revealed.

Genesis 38 26 Context

Genesis 38 provides a detailed account of Judah's personal and familial life, specifically focusing on his interactions with his Canaanite wife and his daughter-in-law, Tamar. This chapter interrupts the primary narrative of Joseph's life, highlighting Judah's character, particularly his initial moral failures and subsequent transformation. At this point in the narrative, Judah, one of Jacob's sons, had failed to uphold the traditional levirate law after his first two sons, Er and Onan, died without heirs to Tamar. This law, later formally codified in Deuteronomy, obliged a man to marry his deceased brother's childless widow to produce an heir for the deceased brother, ensuring the family line and inheritance. Judah's refusal to give Shelah, his third son, to Tamar demonstrated a lack of justice and a disregard for his familial duty, placing Tamar in a precarious and disadvantaged position, essentially without a future. Tamar's disguised encounter with Judah was her desperate but culturally understood means to secure her rightful position and perpetuate her deceased husband's, and thus Judah's, family line. Verse 26 captures Judah's profound admission when faced with irrefutable proof, marking a turning point in his moral integrity and his journey towards becoming a key ancestral figure in the lineage of the Messiah.

Genesis 38 26 Word analysis

• And Judah acknowledged (וַיַּכֵּ֣ר יְהוּדָ֔ה – vayyakkēr Yehuda): The Hebrew verb is nakar (נָכַר) in the Hifil imperfect, which means "to discern," "to recognize," but also strongly implies "to admit" or "to confess." It signifies more than just identifying the objects; it's a profound, public admission of a difficult truth and his complicity. Judah had to confront himself.
• them (אוֹתָ֗ם – 'ōtām): Refers directly to Tamar's visible evidence: Judah's personal staff and signet, symbols of his identity and authority, which Tamar had kept as surety for his promise. Their presentation leaves no doubt of his involvement.
• and said (וַיֹּאמֶר – vayyōmer): Signifies Judah's verbal confession, making his admission explicit and publicly known. This vocalized declaration reinforces his acceptance of responsibility.
• She is more righteous than I (צָדְקָ֤ה מִמֶּ֙נִּי֙ – ṣādeqāh mimmennî): The verb tsadeq (צָדַק) means "to be righteous," "to be justified," or "to be in the right." Judah's confession states that Tamar's actions, however unconventional or scandalous they might appear externally, were "more in the right" or "more justified" than his own unfulfilled duty. He acknowledges that she was driven by a pursuit of legitimate rights within her culture.
• because I did not give her to Shelah my son (עַל־כֵּ֚ן לֹא־נְתַתִּ֙יהָ֙ לְשֵׁלָ֣ה בְנִ֔י – ʿal-kēn loʾ-netattîhâ lᵉšēlāh benî): Judah explicitly identifies the reason for his unrighteousness: his failure to fulfill the levirate obligation to Tamar. This points to his negligence and betrayal of his familial duty and Tamar's right to an heir and status.
• And he knew her again no more (וְלֹא־יָסַ֤ף עוֹד֙ לְדַעְתָּ֔הּ – welōʾ-yāsap̄ ʿôd lədaʿtāh): The verb yadaʿ (יָדַע) for "knew" here denotes intimate, sexual knowledge. The phrase loʾ yasaph ʿôd means "he did not continue anymore" or "he never again." This indicates the complete cessation of their sexual relations once the truth was revealed. It implies Judah’s recognition of the now deeply improper nature of a continued sexual relationship between a father-in-law and daughter-in-law (especially the mother of his children/grandchildren), marking an end to the charade and an acceptance of the consequences.

• "Judah acknowledged...She is more righteous than I": This phrase represents Judah's turning point and spiritual awakening. It's a humbling admission of personal failure and recognition of justice sought by Tamar, despite the irregular means. This self-judgment demonstrates an emerging maturity that paves the way for his later acts of leadership and responsibility.
• "because I did not give her to Shelah my son": This highlights Judah's specific, acknowledged sin and the immediate cause of the entire elaborate incident. He confesses the broken promise and neglect of duty directly, rather than deflecting blame, showing sincerity in his admission.
• "And he knew her again no more": This signals the conclusion of their illicit union. It is Judah's acceptance of the revelation, the acknowledgment of his sin, and a commitment to not repeat the transgression, thereby drawing a clear boundary in their relationship post-confession. It underscores the integrity of his change.

Genesis 38 26 Bonus section

• Theological Significance: This narrative, including verse 26, illustrates that God works through real, often flawed people and complex, morally ambiguous situations to accomplish His sovereign plan. Tamar's inclusion in the genealogy of Christ (Matt 1:3) alongside other unusual figures like Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, underscores that God's grace is not limited by human societal norms, ethical missteps, or personal pasts.
• Judah's Character Arc: This moment of genuine repentance is foundational to Judah's transformation. It contrasts sharply with his willingness to profit from Joseph's sale and prefigures his later noble actions in Egypt when he volunteers to become a surety for Benjamin (Gen 43:9) and offers himself in Benjamin's place (Gen 44:33). This confession is a key turning point on his path to becoming the patriarch from whom kings and ultimately the Messiah would descend.
• Contrast of Righteousness: The verse challenges conventional notions of righteousness. While Tamar's actions were deceptive and morally compromising on one level, they were driven by a culturally legitimate desire for progeny and justice (Judah's unfulfilled duty). Judah, on the other hand, was outwardly righteous (patriarch), but inwardly unjust by denying Tamar her due. His admission reveals a deeper understanding of true righteousness – fulfilling one's obligations.

Genesis 38 26 Commentary

Genesis 38:26 encapsulates a profound moment of personal accountability and a subtle demonstration of divine Providence working through imperfect human actions. Judah's confession, "She is more righteous than I," is a staggering admission, signifying his growth from the unprincipled character seen in his prior dealings (e.g., selling Joseph, his broken promise to Tamar). This admission is crucial for Judah’s future leadership and his role in the Messianic line, signaling his moral evolution from deceit and irresponsibility to truth and honor. Tamar's determination to secure an heir by unconventional means, viewed through the lens of her ancient culture's emphasis on family lineage and legacy, highlights her courageous pursuit of what she understood to be her right. God's intricate plan for the lineage of the Messiah unfolds even through scandal and sin, demonstrating His ability to bring about His will. The final statement, "he knew her again no more," indicates Judah's decisive break from their illicit relationship, validating his changed perspective and acknowledging the outcome of Tamar bearing his sons (Perez and Zerah) through a recognized, albeit unorthodox, means to preserve the family line.