Genesis 38:25
New International Version
As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. “I am pregnant by the man who owns these,” she said. And she added, “See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are.”

New Living Translation
But as they were taking her out to kill her, she sent this message to her father-in-law: “The man who owns these things made me pregnant. Look closely. Whose seal and cord and walking stick are these?”

English Standard Version
As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.” And she said, “Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.”

Berean Standard Bible
As she was being brought out, Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Please examine them. Whose seal and cord and staff are these?”

King James Bible
When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.

New King James Version
When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “By the man to whom these belong, I am with child.” And she said, “Please determine whose these are—the signet and cord, and staff.”

New American Standard Bible
It was while she was being brought out that she sent word to her father-in-law, saying, “I am pregnant by the man to whom these things belong.” She also said, “Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?”

NASB 1995
It was while she was being brought out that she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man to whom these things belong.” And she said, “Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?”

NASB 1977
It was while she was being brought out that she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man to whom these things belong.” And she said, “Please examine and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?”

Legacy Standard Bible
It was while she was being brought out that she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man to whom these things belong.” And she said, “Please recognize this and see, whose signet ring and cords and staff are these?”

Amplified Bible
While she was being brought out, she [took the things Judah had given her and] sent [them along with a message] to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man to whom these articles belong.” And she added, “Please examine [them carefully] and see [clearly] to whom these things belong, the seal and the cord and staff.”

Christian Standard Bible
As she was being brought out, she sent her father-in-law this message: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Examine them. Whose signet ring, cord, and staff are these? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As she was being brought out, she sent her father-in-law this message: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Examine them. Whose signet ring, cord, and staff are these?”

American Standard Version
When she was brought forth, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and the cords, and the staff.

Contemporary English Version
As Tamar was being dragged off, she sent someone to tell her father-in-law, "The man who gave me this ring, this cord, and this walking stick is the one who got me pregnant."

English Revised Version
When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and the cords, and the staff.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As she was brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law, "I'm pregnant by the man who owns these things. See if you recognize whose signet ring, cord, and shepherd's staff these are."

Good News Translation
As she was being taken out, she sent word to her father-in-law: "I am pregnant by the man who owns these things. Look at them and see whose they are--this seal with its cord and this walking stick."

International Standard Version
While they were bringing her out, she sent this message to her father-in-law: "I am pregnant by the man to whom these things belong. Furthermore," she added, "tell me to whom this signet ring, cord, and staff belongs."

Majority Standard Bible
As she was being brought out, Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Please examine them. Whose seal and cord and staff are these?”

NET Bible
While they were bringing her out, she sent word to her father-in-law: "I am pregnant by the man to whom these belong." Then she said, "Identify the one to whom the seal, cord, and staff belong."

New Heart English Bible
When she was brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, saying, "By the man who owns these I am pregnant." She also said, "Please discern whose these are?the signet, and the cord, and the staff."

Webster's Bible Translation
When she was brought forth, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, By the man whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.

World English Bible
When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man who owns these.” She also said, “Please discern whose these are—the signet, and the cords, and the staff.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
She is brought out, and she has sent to her husband’s father, saying, “To a man whose these [are], I [am] pregnant”; and she says, “Please discern whose these [are]—the seal, and the ribbons, and the staff.”

Young's Literal Translation
She is brought out, and she hath sent unto her husband's father, saying, 'To a man whose these are, I am pregnant;' and she saith, 'Discern, I pray thee, whose are these -- the seal, and the ribbons, and the staff.'

Smith's Literal Translation
She being brought forth, and she sent to her father-in-law, saying, By the man whose are these, by him I conceived. And she will say, Recognise, now, to whom the seal, the cords, and the rod, these.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But when she was led to execution, she sent to her father in law, saying: By the man, to whom these things belong, I am with child. See whose ring, and bracelet, and staff this is.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But when she was led out to the punishment, she sent to her father-in-law, saying: “I conceived by the man to whom these things belong. Recognize whose ring, and bracelet, and staff this is.”

New American Bible
But as she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “It is by the man to whom these things belong that I am pregnant.” Then she said, “See whose seal and cord and staff these are.”

New Revised Standard Version
As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “It was the owner of these who made me pregnant.” And she said, “Take note, please, whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When they brought her out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, By the man to whom these articles belong, I am with child; and she said, Determine whose they are, the ring, the robe, and the staff.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when they brought her out, she sent to her father in law: “By the man to whom these things belong I am pregnant.” And she said, “See whose is the ring and the robe and staffthese things.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
When she was brought forth, she sent to her father-in-law, saying: 'By the man, whose these are, am I with child'; and she said: 'Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and the cords, and the staff.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And as they were bringing her, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, I am with child by the man whose these things are; and she said, See whose is this ring and bracelet and staff.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judah and Tamar
24About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!” 25As she was being brought out, Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Please examine them. Whose seal and cord and staff are these?” 26Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.…

Cross References
Matthew 1:3
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.

Ruth 4:12
And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.”

1 Chronicles 2:4
Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.

Deuteronomy 22:21
she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house, and there the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father’s house. So you must purge the evil from among you.

Leviticus 20:10
If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.

John 8:3-11
The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them / and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. / In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” ...

Numbers 5:11-31
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him / by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act), ...

2 Samuel 12:5-7
David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan: “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! / Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.” / Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.

Hosea 4:14
I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.

Ezekiel 16:38
And I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and those who shed blood; so I will bring upon you the wrath of your bloodshed and jealousy.

Proverbs 6:32-33
He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. / Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away.

Romans 2:1
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. / And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.

James 2:13
For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.


Treasury of Scripture

When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray you, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.

Discern.

Genesis 38:18
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 37:32
And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no.

Psalm 50:21
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

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Acknowledge Added Belong Bracelets Child Cord Cords Discern Examine Father-In-Law Forth Law Mark Message Owns Please Pregnant Property Recognize Ring Seal Signet Staff Stick
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Genesis 38
1. Judah begets Er, Onan, and Shelah.
6. Er's marriage with Tamar, and death.
8. The trespass of Onan.
11. Tamar is reserved for Shelah.
12. Judah's wife dies.
13. Tamar deceives Judah.
27. She bears twins, Pharez and Zarah.














As she was being brought out
This phrase sets the scene for a dramatic moment in the narrative. Tamar, facing execution for alleged immorality, is being led out to her fate. The Hebrew root for "brought out" (יָצָא, yatsa) often implies a public display or procession, highlighting the gravity and public nature of the situation. Historically, this reflects the severe consequences for women accused of sexual immorality in ancient Near Eastern cultures, emphasizing the societal norms and the precarious position of women.

she sent a message
The act of sending a message indicates Tamar's strategic and courageous response. The Hebrew verb שָׁלַח (shalach) means to send or dispatch, suggesting intentionality and purpose. Tamar's decision to communicate in this way demonstrates her wisdom and foresight, as she seeks to reveal the truth without directly confronting Judah, respecting the cultural hierarchies and norms of communication.

to her father-in-law
This phrase identifies Judah as the recipient of Tamar's message. The Hebrew term חָם (cham) for father-in-law underscores the familial relationship and the obligations Judah has towards Tamar. In the context of levirate marriage customs, Judah's role is crucial, as he is responsible for ensuring Tamar's welfare and lineage continuation, which he had neglected.

I am pregnant by the man
Tamar's declaration is both a confession and an accusation. The Hebrew word for "pregnant" (הָרָה, harah) is a pivotal term, as it signifies the cause of the impending judgment against her. By stating "by the man," Tamar shifts the focus from her condition to the identity of the father, subtly implicating Judah and inviting him to acknowledge his responsibility.

to whom these items belong
This phrase introduces the evidence Tamar presents. The Hebrew word for "items" (אֵלֶּה, eleh) refers to the personal effects that are unmistakably Judah's. In ancient times, personal items like a signet, cord, and staff were unique identifiers, akin to a modern signature or ID, making them irrefutable proof of identity and ownership.

And she added
The addition of this phrase indicates Tamar's careful and deliberate communication. The Hebrew verb יָסַף (yasaph) means to add or continue, suggesting that Tamar is building her case methodically. Her approach reflects wisdom and patience, ensuring that her message is clear and undeniable.

Please identify
Tamar's request for identification is both humble and assertive. The Hebrew word נָכַר (nakar) means to recognize or acknowledge. By asking Judah to identify the items, Tamar is not only presenting evidence but also appealing to Judah's sense of justice and integrity, prompting him to confront his actions.

whose signet, cord, and staff these are
These items are significant symbols of Judah's identity and authority. The signet (חוֹתָם, chotam) was used to seal documents, the cord (פְּתִיל, pethil) likely held the signet, and the staff (מַטֶּה, matteh) represented personal and tribal authority. In the cultural and historical context, these items were unmistakable markers of Judah's identity, leaving no room for denial. Tamar's presentation of these items is a masterstroke of wisdom, as it forces Judah to publicly acknowledge his actions and fulfill his obligations.

(25, 26) She sent . . . --The Talmud praises Tamar for so acting, as to bring no public disgrace upon Judah; and he acknowledges that he was most to blame, because the cause of her crime was his own failure to act justly by her.

Verse 25. - When she was brought forth (literally, she was brought forth, and), she sent to her father-in-law (who apparently had not the heart to witness the execution of his own sentence), saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets (or chain), and staff.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As she
הִ֣וא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

was being brought out,
מוּצֵ֗את (mū·ṣêṯ)
Verb - Hofal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

she
וְהִ֨יא (wə·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

sent
שָׁלְחָ֤ה (šā·lə·ḥāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

a message
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to her
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

father-in-law:
חָמִ֙יהָ֙ (ḥā·mî·hā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2524: Husband's father

“I am
אָנֹכִ֖י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

pregnant
הָרָ֑ה (hā·rāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2030: Pregnant

by the man to whom
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

these items
אֵ֣לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

belong.”
לּ֔וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

And she added,
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Please
נָ֔א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

examine them.
הַכֶּר־ (hak·ker-)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5234: To regard, recognize

Whose
לְמִ֞י (lə·mî)
Preposition-l | Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

seal
הַחֹתֶ֧מֶת (ha·ḥō·ṯe·meṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2858: Signet ring

and cord
וְהַפְּתִילִ֛ים (wə·hap·pə·ṯî·lîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6616: Cord, thread

and staff
וְהַמַּטֶּ֖ה (wə·ham·maṭ·ṭeh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

are these?”
הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those


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OT Law: Genesis 38:25 When she was brought forth she sent (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 38:24
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