Genesis 38:21

38:21 He asked the men who were there, ¹  “Where is the cult prostitute ²  who was at Enaim by the road?” But they replied, “There has been no cult prostitute here.”

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 

[38:21]  ¹ tn Heb “the men of her place,” that is, who lived at the place where she had been.

[38:21]  ² sn The Hebrew noun translated “cult prostitute” is derived from a verb meaning “to be set apart; to be distinct.” Thus the term refers to a woman who did not marry, but was dedicated to temple service as a cult prostitute. The masculine form of this noun is used for male cult prostitutes. Judah thought he had gone to an ordinary prostitute (v. 15); but Hirah went looking for a cult prostitute, perhaps because it had been a sheep-shearing festival. For further discussion see E. M. Yamauchi, “Cultic Prostitution,” Orient and Occident (AOAT), 213-23.

[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.