Genesis 38:15 net — When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute because she had covered her face.

NET Bible

"When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute because she had covered her face."

— Genesis 38:15, NET Bible

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Genesis 38:15 in Other Translations

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Genesis 38 — Context

12

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

13

Tamar was told,“Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”

14

So she removed her widow’s clothes and covered herself with a veil. She wrapped herself and sat at the entrance to Enaim which is on the way to Timnah.(She did this because she saw that she had not been given to Shelah as a wife, even though he had now grown up.)

15

When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute because she had covered her face.

16

He turned aside to her along the road and said,“Come, please, I want to sleep with you.”(He did not realize it was his daughter-in-law.) She asked,“What will you give me so that you may sleep with me?”

17

He replied,“I’ll send you a young goat from the flock.” She asked,“Will you give me a pledge until you send it?”

18

He said,“What pledge should I give you?” She replied,“Your seal, your cord, and the staff that’s in your hand.” So he gave them to her, then slept with her, and she became pregnant by him.

Genesis 38:15 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Genesis 38:15 say?
Genesis 38:15 in the NET Bible reads: “When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute 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 (NET): “When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute 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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