Genesis 38:12

38:12 After some time ¹  Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shua, died. After Judah was consoled, he left for Timnah to visit his sheepshearers, along with ²  his friend Hirah the Adullamite.

Genesis 38:16

38:16 He turned aside to her along the road and said, “Come on! I want to have sex with you.” ³  (He did not realize ⁴  it was his daughter-in-law.) She asked, “What will you give me in exchange for having sex with you?” ⁵ 

Genesis 38:24

38:24 After three months Judah was told, ⁶  “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has turned to prostitution, ⁷  and as a result she has become pregnant.” ⁸  Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned!”

[38:12]  ¹ sn After some time. There is not enough information in the narrative to know how long this was. The text says “the days increased.” It was long enough for Shelah to mature and for Tamar to realize she would not have him.

[38:12]  ² tn Heb “and he went up to the shearers of his sheep, he and.”

[38:16]  ³ tn Heb “I will go to you.” The imperfect verbal form probably indicates his desire here. The expression “go to” is a euphemism for sexual intercourse.

[38:16]  ⁴ tn Heb “for he did not know that.”

[38:16]  ⁵ tn Heb “when you come to me.” This expression is a euphemism for sexual intercourse.

[38:24]  ⁵ tn Heb “it was told to Judah, saying.”

[38:24]  ⁶ tn Or “has been sexually promiscuous.” The verb may refer here to loose or promiscuous activity, not necessarily prostitution.

[38:24]  ⁷ tn Heb “and also look, she is with child by prostitution.”