Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Judah said, “Let her keep what she has, or we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you didn’t find her.” New Living Translation “Then let her keep the things I gave her,” Judah said. “I sent the young goat as we agreed, but you couldn’t find her. We’d be the laughingstock of the village if we went back again to look for her.” English Standard Version And Judah replied, “Let her keep the things as her own, or we shall be laughed at. You see, I sent this young goat, and you did not find her.” Berean Standard Bible “Let her keep the items,” Judah replied. “Otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you could not find her.” Berean Literal Bible And Judah said, “Let her take them for herself, lest we become despised. Behold, I sent this kid, and you have not found her.” King James Bible And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her. New King James Version Then Judah said, “Let her take them for herself, lest we be shamed; for I sent this young goat and you have not found her.” New American Standard Bible Then Judah said, “Let her keep them, otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her.” NASB 1995 Then Judah said, “Let her keep them, otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her.” NASB 1977 Then Judah said, “Let her keep them, lest we become a laughingstock. After all, I sent this kid, but you did not find her.” Legacy Standard Bible Then Judah said, “Let her keep them, lest we become a laughingstock. Behold, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her.” Amplified Bible Then Judah said, “Let her keep the things (pledge articles) for herself, otherwise we will be a laughingstock [searching everywhere for her]. After all, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her.” Berean Annotated Bible “Let her keep the items, Judah (praised) replied. “Otherwise we will become a laughingstock (we will become despised). After all, I did send her this young goat, but you could not find her. Christian Standard Bible Judah replied, “Let her keep the items for herself; otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send this young goat, but you couldn’t find her.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Judah replied, “Let her keep the items for herself; otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send this young goat, but you couldn’t find her.” American Standard Version And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be put to shame: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her. Contemporary English Version "If you couldn't find her, we'll just let her keep the things I gave her," Judah answered. "And we'd better forget about the goat, or else we'll look like fools." English Revised Version And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be put to shame: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then Judah said, "Let her keep what I gave her, or we'll become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you couldn't find her." Good News Translation Judah said, "Let her keep the things. We don't want people to laugh at us. I did try to pay her, but you couldn't find her." International Standard Version Then Judah said, "Let her have those things. Otherwise, we'll become contemptible. I sent this young goat, but you didn't find her." NET Bible Judah said, "Let her keep the things for herself. Otherwise we will appear to be dishonest. I did indeed send this young goat, but you couldn't find her." New Heart English Bible Judah said, "Let her keep the things, lest we be publicly shamed. Look, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her." Webster's Bible Translation And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Let her keep the items,” Judah replied. “Otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you could not find her.” World English Bible Judah said, “Let her keep it, lest we be shamed. Behold, I sent this young goat, and you haven’t found her.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Judah says, “Let her take to herself, lest we become despised; behold, I sent this kid, and you have not found her.” Berean Literal Bible And Judah said, “Let her take them for herself, lest we become despised. Behold, I sent this kid, and you have not found her.” Young's Literal Translation and Judah saith, 'Let her take to herself, lest we become despised; lo, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.' Smith's Literal Translation And Judah will say, She shall take to her, lest we shall be for a contempt: Behold, I sent this kid, and thou didst not find her. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleJuda said : Let her take it to herself ; surely she cannot charge us with a,lie: I sent the kid which I promised: and thou didst not find her. Catholic Public Domain Version Judah said: “Let her hold herself to blame. Certainly, she is not able to accuse us of a lie. I sent the young goat that I had promised, and you did not find her.” New American Bible “Let her keep the things,” Judah replied; “otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you did not find her.” New Revised Standard Version Judah replied, “Let her keep the things as her own, otherwise we will be laughed at; you see, I sent this kid, and you could not find her.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Judah said, Let her keep the pledge, lest I be laughed at; behold, I sent this kid, but you could not find her. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Yehuda said, “She may take it, lest I be a laughing stock; behold, I have sent this kid and you have not found her.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Judah said: 'Let her take it, lest we be put to shame; behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Judas said, Let her have them, but let us not be ridiculed; I sent this kid, but thou hast not found her. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Judah and Tamar…22So Hirah returned to Judah and said, “I could not find her, and furthermore, the men of that place said, ‘No shrine prostitute has been here.’ ” 23“Let her keep the items,” Judah replied. “Otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you could not find her.” 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!”… Cross References Let her keep the items, Exodus 22:26-27 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, / because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. Deuteronomy 24:10-13 When you lend anything to your neighbor, do not enter his house to collect security. / You are to stand outside while the man to whom you are lending brings the security out to you. / If he is a poor man, you must not go to sleep with the security in your possession; … Proverbs 22:26-27 Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts. / If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you? Judah replied. Genesis 44:16 “What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “How can we plead? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed the iniquity of your servants. We are now my lord’s slaves—both we and the one who was found with the cup.” Genesis 44:33-34 Now please let your servant stay here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy. Let him return with his brothers. / For how can I go back to my father without the boy? I could not bear to see the misery that would overwhelm him.” “Otherwise we will become a laughingstock. Psalm 44:13-14 You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, a mockery and derision to those around us. / You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples. Jeremiah 20:7 You have deceived me, O LORD, and I was deceived. You have overcome me and prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. Job 12:4 I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God, and He answered. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, 1 Samuel 16:20 And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and one young goat and sent them to Saul with his son David. Judges 15:1 Later on, at the time of the wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. “I want to go to my wife in her room,” he said. But her father would not let him enter. Genesis 27:9 Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so that I can make them into a tasty dish for your father—the kind he loves. but you could not find her.” Songs 5:6 I opened for my beloved, but he had turned and gone. My heart sank at his departure. I sought him but did not find him. I called, but he did not answer. Songs 3:1-2 On my bed at night I sought the one I love; I sought him, but did not find him. / I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and squares. I will seek the one I love. So I sought him but did not find him. 2 Kings 2:17 But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah. 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 19:29 You must not defile your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will be prostituted and filled with depravity. Treasury of Scripture And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and you have not found her. lest we. 2 Samuel 12:9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Proverbs 6:33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. Romans 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. be shamed. Jump to Previous Find Found Goat Herself Judah Kid Otherwise Shame Shamed YoungJump to Next Find Found Goat Herself Judah Kid Otherwise Shame Shamed YoungGenesis 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. Let her keep the items, Judah's decision to let Tamar keep the items—his seal, cord, and staff—reflects a significant moment of concession. These items were personal identifiers, akin to a modern-day signature or ID, symbolizing authority and identity. In the cultural context, these items were valuable and personal, indicating Judah's initial desperation to retrieve them. This phrase highlights the importance of personal integrity and the consequences of one's actions, as Judah's decision to leave the items with Tamar ultimately leads to his public acknowledgment of wrongdoing. Judah replied. Otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you could not find her. Persons / Places / Events 1. JudahOne of the twelve sons of Jacob, Judah is a central figure in this account. He is the one who decides to send a young goat as payment for services rendered, highlighting his role in the unfolding events. 2. Tamar Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Tamar is the woman involved in the transaction with Judah. She disguises herself to secure her rights and future, playing a pivotal role in the account. 3. The Young Goat This is the promised payment from Judah to Tamar, symbolizing a transaction and a broken promise when it is not delivered. 4. The Items These refer to Judah's seal, cord, and staff, which Tamar keeps as a pledge. They are significant as they later serve as proof of Judah's involvement with her. 5. The Laughingstock This term reflects Judah's concern about public perception and reputation, indicating the social dynamics and potential shame involved in the situation. Teaching Points The Consequences of SinJudah's actions remind us that sin often leads to unintended consequences and public shame. We must be mindful of our actions and their potential impact on our reputation and relationships. God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs Despite human failings, God's purposes prevail. The lineage of Judah and Tamar becomes part of the genealogy of Christ, demonstrating God's ability to work through imperfect situations. The Importance of Integrity Judah's concern about becoming a "laughingstock" highlights the importance of maintaining integrity and fulfilling promises. As Christians, we are called to be people of our word. Repentance and Redemption Judah's later acknowledgment of his wrongdoing (in subsequent verses) shows the power of repentance and the possibility of redemption, a theme central to the Christian faith. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 38:23?2. How does Genesis 38:23 illustrate the importance of keeping one's word? 3. What can we learn about accountability from Judah's actions in Genesis 38:23? 4. How does Genesis 38:23 connect with themes of integrity in Proverbs? 5. How might Genesis 38:23 guide us in handling personal responsibility today? 6. What lessons from Genesis 38:23 apply to maintaining honesty in our commitments? 7. Why did Judah prioritize public perception over justice in Genesis 38:23? 8. How does Genesis 38:23 reflect on personal responsibility and accountability? 9. What cultural norms influenced Judah's decision in Genesis 38:23? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 38? 11. How does 1 Chronicles 2:3-4 align with Genesis 38 regarding Judah and Tamar's lineage, and does it create inconsistencies? 12. In Genesis 38:25-26, why does Judah suddenly shift from condemning Tamar to declaring her 'more righteous' than he is, without any direct divine intervention or clear moral explanation? 13. In Genesis 38:14-18, how credible is it historically that Judah would fail to recognize his own daughter-in-law simply because she covered her face? 14. In Genesis 38 overall, how does this morally complex story align with the broader biblical narrative on sexual ethics and lineage preservation? What Does Genesis 38:23 Mean Let her keep the items• Judah is referring to the seal, cord, and staff he had given Tamar as collateral (Genesis 38:18). • These objects functioned like personal identification—losing them risked public exposure. • Scripture treats pledges as serious business. Exodus 22:26-27 reminds Israel to return a cloak taken as security “by sunset,” underscoring both the gravity of pledges and the duty to protect a neighbor’s dignity. • By saying, “Let her keep the items,” Judah chooses immediate concealment over recovery. He hopes to avoid the shame that would come if his personal effects were paraded in public. Otherwise we will become a laughingstock • Reputation was—and is—precious. Proverbs 3:35 notes, “The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to disgrace.” • Judah fears ridicule from the townspeople of Adullam. Public mockery would not only wound his pride but also stain the family name through whom God’s covenant line runs (Genesis 49:8-10). • Earlier, Judah had watched his father Jacob’s household suffer reproach after Dinah’s incident (Genesis 34:30). He now dreads a repeat performance. • This concern for image exposes a heart more worried about human opinion than divine approval, echoing 2 Samuel 12:14, where David’s sin “made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt.” After all, I did send her this young goat • Judah insists he kept his word materially. Sending the goat fulfilled his part of the bargain, at least outwardly. • Scripture demands integrity in dealings (Leviticus 19:36). Judah thinks the technical requirement has been met. • Yet focusing on the goat allows him to ignore the larger moral breach—visiting a prostitute and neglecting his duty to Tamar as his daughter-in-law (Deuteronomy 25:5). Jesus later exposes this kind of selective righteousness: “You give a tenth of mint… yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law” (Matthew 23:23). • Judah’s statement is self-justification; he wants credit for effort without facing the underlying sin. but you could not find her • The servant’s inability to locate the “prostitute” feels like a convenient closure to Judah. If no one can find her, the evidence disappears. • Numbers 32:23 warns, “Be assured that your sin will find you out,” yet Judah assumes the opposite—that hidden sin stays hidden. • God, however, sees what men overlook. Psalm 139:7-12 says no one can flee His presence; Jeremiah 23:24 adds that no one can hide in secret places. • Tamar’s disguise and disappearance actually set the stage for God to expose Judah, protect the Messianic line, and vindicate Tamar’s rightful place in that lineage (Genesis 38:26; Matthew 1:3). summary Judah’s words reveal a heart scrambling for damage control. By letting Tamar keep the pledge items, fearing mockery, and pointing to the mailed goat and failed search, he tries to manage appearances instead of seeking repentance. Scripture shows that God will not let covenant promises be thwarted by human schemes. He will uncover sin, uphold justice, and advance His redemptive plan—often through the very events sinners think they have successfully concealed. (23) Lest we be shamed.--Maimonides asserts that Judah had committed no breach of the Law, the utmost therein commanded being that no Jewish woman should become a kedeshah (Deuteronomy 23:17). But Judah evidently regards what he had done as shameful, and having big friend's testimony, if needed, to prove that he had performed what he promised, he bears with the loss of his signet and staff, rather than let the people know that he had been guilty of an act which they too would condemn.Verse 23. - And Judah said, Let her take it to her, - literally, let her take to herself (sc. the pledge) - lest we be shamed (literally, become a contempt, i.e. by inquiring after her. Though not afraid to sin against God, Judah was pained at the idea of losing his reputation before men): behold, I sent this kid (i.e. I take you to witness that I have fulfilled my premise), and thou hast not found her.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Let herלָ֔הּ (lāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's Hebrew keep the items,” תִּֽקַּֽח־ (tiq·qaḥ-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 3947: To take Judah יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites replied. וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Otherwise פֶּ֖ן (pen) Conjunction Strong's 6435: Removal, lest we will become נִהְיֶ֣ה (nih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a laughingstock. לָב֑וּז (lā·ḇūz) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 937: Disrespect After all, הִנֵּ֤ה (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! I did send her שָׁלַ֙חְתִּי֙ (šā·laḥ·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out this הַזֶּ֔ה (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that young goat, הַגְּדִ֣י (hag·gə·ḏî) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1423: A kid (a young goat) but you וְאַתָּ֖ה (wə·’at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you could not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no find her.” מְצָאתָֽהּ׃ (mə·ṣā·ṯāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present Links Genesis 38:23 NIVGenesis 38:23 NLT Genesis 38:23 ESV Genesis 38:23 NASB Genesis 38:23 KJV Genesis 38:23 BibleApps.com Genesis 38:23 Biblia Paralela Genesis 38:23 Chinese Bible Genesis 38:23 French Bible Genesis 38:23 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 38:23 Judah said Let her keep it lest (Gen. Ge Gn) |
    |