Genesis 38:15 kjva — When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.

King James Version with Apocrypha

"When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face."

— Genesis 38:15, King James Version with Apocrypha

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Genesis 38:15 in Other Translations

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Genesis 38 — Context

12

And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah’s wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.

13

And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.

14

And she put her widow’s garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.

15

When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.

16

And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?

17

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?

18

And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.

Genesis 38:15 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Genesis 38:15 say?
Genesis 38:15 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.”
Where is Genesis 38:15 in the Bible?
Genesis 38:15 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis, chapter 38, verse 15.
Who wrote Genesis?
Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). Anciently attributed to Moses; many modern scholars view Genesis as a compilation of older oral and written sources finalized in or after the Babylonian exile. It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Genesis about?
Genesis is the book of beginnings — the origin of the universe, humanity, sin, and the covenant family God chose to bless the nations. It traces creation, the fall, the flood, and the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, laying the foundation for the rest of Scripture and pointing forward to the redemption that comes through the promised seed.
What are the major themes of Genesis?
Genesis explores themes including Creation, Fall, Covenant, Faith, Family, Promise. These themes shape the meaning and context of Genesis 38:15.
What translation should I read Genesis 38:15 in?
Genesis 38:15 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Genesis 38:15?
Genesis 38:15 reads (KJVA): “When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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