Strange Marriages

Genesis 38

Joseph was sold into slavery forcefully, Judah willingly left his family in hopes of gain from the Caananite people. He even married a Caananite woman which was against their family morals. She was an Adullamite woman who is only known as Shua’s daughter.

Judah has sons and a daughter with the Caananite woman, and the children grew. Er, the oldest came to marrying age, and took a wife himself whose name was Tamar, but he was wicked in the eyes of the Lord and the Lord took his life from him. Onan, the second born, was told to produce a child a son with his sister-in-law in order that his brothers lineage might carry on (even though we know that is not how it works). Onan knew that the son would not be his, so he pulled out and wasted his efforts on the ground. This displeased the Lord and Onan died as well.

Judah told Tamar to remain in his household until the youngest boy was old enough to fulfill his duties, but Judah was fearful that Shelah the youngest would be killed as well leaving him without a son. So Judah never intended to give his son away. In the course of time Shelah grew up, but was never given to Tamar, Judah’s wife dies, and Judah mourns. When he is feeling better he and his friend go to the sheep-shears. Sheep shearing in this culture was more like a big festival than it was a simple act of farming. They had alcohol, fellowship, and pagan colt prostitution. When Tamar head that this is where her father-in-law was headed, she headed up to the sheep shears and disguised herself as one of the prostitutes, and she slept with Judah.

Tamar, covered as a prostitute, was unknown to Judah. The price set for the session was a goat from the flock, but the goat was not there. Tamar asked for some collateral she could hold onto until the goat came. She asked for 3 pieces from Judah: The signet, the cord, and the staff. These items were 3 pieces of identification. Men carried a signet on the end of their cords so that when doing business they could stamp their family signet on the papers to make things official. This staff likely had forms of identification specific to Judah as it was used to identify him late in the story as well. After the transaction Tamar put her widows clothing back on and went about her way.... PREGNANT!!!

Judah sent his friend back to Timnah with a goat to pay the prostitute and regain his personal effects. The friend, however did not find the prostitute nor was there ever a prostitute in the area according to the locals. Judah said “let her keep my effects rather than a man like me digging around looking for a lady of the night.”