Now Judah acquired a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 38:6? 2. How does Genesis 38:6 illustrate the importance of family lineage in Scripture? 3. What can we learn about God's sovereignty from Judah's family decisions in Genesis 38? 4. How does Genesis 38:6 connect to the broader narrative of God's covenant promises? 5. What lessons on obedience can we draw from Er's role in Genesis 38:6? 6. How can we apply the principle of faithfulness in family roles from Genesis 38:6? 7. Why did Judah choose Tamar as a wife for Er in Genesis 38:6? 8. What cultural practices influenced Judah's decision in Genesis 38:6? 9. How does Genesis 38:6 fit into the larger narrative of Judah and Tamar? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 38? 11. In Genesis 38 overall, how does this morally complex story align with the broader biblical narrative on sexual ethics and lineage preservation? 12. What happened to Tamar in the biblical narrative? 13. How does 1 Chronicles 2:3–4 align with Genesis 38 regarding Judah and Tamar’s lineage, and does it create inconsistencies? 14. 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? Discussion Questions 1. How does the account of Er and Tamar in Genesis 38:6 illustrate the consequences of wickedness and the importance of righteousness?2. In what ways does the concept of Levirate marriage, as seen in this chapter, connect to the broader biblical theme of family and lineage? 3. How does Tamar's inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:3) impact our understanding of her account and its significance in the Bible? 4. What can we learn from Judah's actions and decisions in this chapter about leadership and responsibility within a family? 5. How does the setting of Canaan influence the events of Genesis 38, and what lessons can we draw from Judah's separation from his brothers?1. Why did Onan refuse to fulfill his responsibility towards Tamar? How does this reflect on the concept of familial obligations? 2. What social norms and practices does this chapter highlight about the time period it was written in? 3. How does Tamar's deceptive plan reflect on the societal roles and expectations of women during that time? 4. How does Judah's reaction to Tamar's pregnancy reveal about his character and leadership? 5. How did Judah's recognition of his personal items transform the storyline? What does this say about the power of truth? 6. Discuss the birth of Perez and Zerah. What is its significance in the larger biblical narrative? 7. Compare Tamar's strength and resilience to that of women in your life. How would you handle such adversity? 8. What are the modern-day applications of the concept of levirate marriage? 9. How can we apply the lesson of accountability as seen in Judah's confession in our lives? 10. How does this chapter address societal biases and prejudices? 11. Can Tamar's actions be justified given the circumstances? 12. How does this chapter make you rethink moral dilemmas and the concept of right and wrong? 13. How does the relationship between Judah and Tamar evolve over the course of this chapter? 14. How does this chapter challenge our understanding of family dynamics and relationships? 15. What aspects of personal identity are portrayed through Judah's seal, cord, and staff? 16. How does the notion of justice play out in this chapter? 17. How can we understand God's role in the events of this chapter? 18. How can we use Judah and Tamar's story to navigate difficult decisions in our lives? 19. How does the story of Tamar inspire you in times of adversity? 20. What lessons about personal and social responsibility can we learn from this chapter and how can they be applied in contemporary society? Links Genesis 38:6 NIVGenesis 38:6 NLT Genesis 38:6 ESV Genesis 38:6 NASB Genesis 38:6 KJV Genesis 38:6 Commentaries Bible Hub |



