1
וַֽיְהִי֙ בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔וא וַיֵּ֥רֶד יְהוּדָ֖ה מֵאֵ֣ת אֶחָ֑יו וַיֵּ֛ט עַד אִ֥ישׁ עֲדֻלָּמִ֖י וּשְׁמ֥וֹ חִירָֽה
And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brothers and turned aside to an Adullamite man, whose name was Hirah.
The narrative pauses the Joseph story and follows Judah into a separate movement marked by descent, separation from his brothers, and attachment to an Adullamite associate.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַֽיְהִי֙and it came to passQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Narrative frame formula→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; frame verb opening the episode.
בָּעֵ֣תat the timeprep בְּ + art + N (cb) sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Temporal prepositional phraseעֵת (H6256) 'time, season'; marks a decisive temporal setting.
הַהִ֔ואthatart + demonstrative 3fs · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrativeהוּא (H1931) used as demonstrative 'that'; echoes prior narrative loosely.
וַיֵּ֥רֶדand went downQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; signals spatial and relational separation from brothers.
יְהוּדָ֖הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063), fourth son of Jacob, central figure of ch. 38.
מֵאֵ֣תfrom withprep מִן + prep · אֵת (H854)Separative prepositional phraseאֵת (H854) 'with, near'; compound מֵאֵת marks separation from proximity.
אֶחָ֑יוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Object of prepositionאָח (H251) 'brother'; departure from brothers initiates the entire episode.
וַיֵּ֛טand turned asideQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָטָה (H5186)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָטָה (H5186) 'to stretch, turn aside'; idiom for moving toward someone.
עַדto, towardprep · עַד (H5704)Directional prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'as far as, to'; marks movement toward a person.
אִ֥ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Object of prepositionאִישׁ (H376) 'man, person'; the Adullamite identified by origin, not name yet.
עֲדֻלָּמִ֖יAdullamitegentilic adj m sg abs · עֲדֻלָּמִי (H5726)Appositive modifierעֲדֻלָּמִי (H5726), inhabitant of Adullam, a Canaanite city in the Shephelah.
וּשְׁמ֥וֹand his nameconj וְ + N m sg cstr + 3ms suf · שֵׁם (H8034)Circumstantial clause (subject)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; naming formula introduces Judah's new associate.
חִירָֽהHirahproper noun · חִירָה (H2437)Predicate of circumstantial clauseחִירָה (H2437), Judah's Adullamite companion, later his messenger in vv. 20–22.
2
וַיַּרְא שָׁ֧ם יְהוּדָ֛ה בַּת אִ֥ישׁ כְּנַעֲנִ֖י וּשְׁמ֣וֹ שׁ֑וּעַ וַיִּקָּחֶ֖הָ וַיָּבֹ֥א אֵלֶֽיהָ
And there Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite man whose name was Shua, and he took her and went in to her.
Judah's new household begins abruptly through sight, taking, and sexual union, with the Canaanite setting stated plainly rather than softened.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיַּרְאand he sawQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; visual encounter leads immediately to taking.
שָׁ֧םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; grounds encounter in Judah's new location.
יְהוּדָ֛הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063), the primary actor throughout ch. 38.
בַּתdaughter ofN f sg cstr · בַּת (H1323)Direct objectבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; construct identifies the woman through her father.
אִ֥ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Construct chain (genitival)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the woman named only through her father's identity.
כְּנַעֲנִ֖יCanaanitegentilic adj m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Appositive modifierכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); the Canaanite identity is noted without editorial comment.
וּשְׁמ֣וֹand his nameconj וְ + N m sg cstr + 3ms suf · שֵׁם (H8034)Circumstantial clause (subject)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; same formula as v. 1 for Hirah.
שׁ֑וּעַShuaproper noun · שׁוּעַ (H7770)Predicate of circumstantial clauseשׁוּעַ (H7770), Judah's Canaanite father-in-law; daughter left unnamed.
וַיִּקָּחֶ֖הָand took herQal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3fs suf · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; standard idiom for contracting marriage.
וַיָּבֹ֥אand went inQal wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go in'; with אֵלֶיהָ idiom for sexual union.
אֵלֶֽיהָto herprep + 3fs suf · אֶל (H413)Object of prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with בּוֹא marks sexual consummation.
3
וַתַּ֖הַר וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֑ן וַיִּקְרָ֥א אֶת שְׁמ֖וֹ עֵֽר
And she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er.
The first son is born and named, beginning the line whose survival will become the narrative's central problem.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַתַּ֖הַרand she conceivedQal wayyiqtol 3fs · הָרָה (H2029)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָרָה (H2029) 'to conceive'; begins the birth formula repeated in vv. 3–5.
וַתֵּ֣לֶדand boreQal wayyiqtol 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, beget'; central birth verb of patriarchal narrative.
בֵּ֑ןa sonN m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct objectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; each birth prepares the line whose collapse drives the chapter.
וַיִּקְרָ֥אand he calledQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; name-giving initiated by Judah for the firstborn.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object שְׁמוֹ.
שְׁמ֖וֹhis nameN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct objectשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the naming act asserts claim and identity over the child.
עֵֽרErproper noun · עֵר (H6147)Predicate nominative (name given)עֵר (H6147), firstborn of Judah, struck down by the LORD in v. 7.
4
וַתַּ֥הַר ע֖וֹד וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֑ן וַתִּקְרָ֥א אֶת שְׁמ֖וֹ אוֹנָֽן
And she conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan.
A second birth extends the household, but the steady cadence of naming only prepares for the coming collapse.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַתַּ֥הַרand she conceivedQal wayyiqtol 3fs · הָרָה (H2029)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָרָה (H2029) 'to conceive'; repeated birth formula, second son.
ע֖וֹדagainadverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverb of repetitionעוֹד (H5750) 'still, again, yet'; marks the continuation of the birth pattern.
וַתֵּ֣לֶדand boreQal wayyiqtol 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear'; second repetition of the birth verb.
בֵּ֑ןa sonN m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct objectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the steady cadence prepares for coming collapse.
וַתִּקְרָ֥אand she calledQal wayyiqtol 3fs · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; here the mother names the second son.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks definite object שְׁמוֹ.
שְׁמ֖וֹhis nameN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct objectשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the second naming event in the birth sequence.
אוֹנָֽןOnanproper noun · אוֹנָן (H209)Predicate nominative (name given)אוֹנָן (H209), second son of Judah, whose refusal of levirate duty drives vv. 8–10.
5
וַתֹּ֤סֶף עוֹד֙ וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֔ן וַתִּקְרָ֥א אֶת שְׁמ֖וֹ שֵׁלָ֑ה וְהָיָ֥ה בִכְזִ֖יב בְּלִדְתָּ֥הּ אֹתֽוֹ
And she bore yet again a son, and she called his name Shelah; and he was at Chezib when she bore him.
The third son completes Judah's immediate family, and the place notice quietly grounds the account in remembered domestic history.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַתֹּ֤סֶףand she again boreHiphil wayyiqtol 3fs · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָסַף (H3254) 'to add, continue'; Hiphil idiom for doing something yet again.
עוֹד֙yet againadverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverb of repetitionעוֹד (H5750) 'still, again'; reinforces the serial pattern of births.
וַתֵּ֣לֶדand boreQal wayyiqtol 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear'; third use closes the birth formula sequence.
בֵּ֔ןa sonN m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct objectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the third son completes Judah's immediate family.
וַתִּקְרָ֥אand she calledQal wayyiqtol 3fs · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; mother names the third son as in v. 4.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks שְׁמוֹ as definite direct object.
שְׁמ֖וֹhis nameN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct objectשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; third naming closes the household-founding sequence.
שֵׁלָ֑הShelahproper noun · שֵׁלָה (H7956)Predicate nominative (name given)שֵׁלָה (H7956), third son of Judah, withheld from Tamar in v. 11.
וְהָיָ֥הand he wasconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Circumstantial clause predicate→ Weqatal: circumstantial background stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; circumstantial detail locating Judah at birth.
בִכְזִ֖יבat Chezibprep בְּ + proper noun · כְּזִיב (H3580)Locative prepositional phraseכְּזִיב (H3580), a place in the Shephelah; Judah's location at Shelah's birth.
בְּלִדְתָּ֥הּwhen she bore himprep בְּ + Qal inf cstr + 3fs suf · יָלַד (H3205)Temporal infinitival phrase→ Infinitive: temporal — at the time of bearingיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear'; inf cstr with prep marks time of the birth event.
אֹתֽוֹhimobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Object of infinitiveאֵת (H853) with 3ms suf; marks the child as object of the bearing.
6
וַיִּקַּ֧ח יְהוּדָ֛ה אִשָּׁ֖ה לְעֵ֣ר בְּכוֹר֑וֹ וּשְׁמָ֖הּ תָּמָֽר
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
Judah now acts to secure the line through marriage, and Tamar enters the narrative as the woman on whom the narrative will finally turn.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיִּקַּ֧חand tookQal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; standard marriage-acquisition idiom.
יְהוּדָ֛הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); Judah acts as paterfamilias arranging his son's marriage.
אִשָּׁ֖הa wifeN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct objectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; Tamar enters the narrative here.
לְעֵ֣רfor Erprep לְ + proper noun · עֵר (H6147)Dative of benefitעֵר (H6147), the firstborn for whom Judah arranges the marriage.
בְּכוֹר֑וֹhis firstbornN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Appositive to עֵרבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; underscores the primogeniture stakes in what follows.
וּשְׁמָ֖הּand her nameconj וְ + N m sg cstr + 3fs suf · שֵׁם (H8034)Circumstantial clause (subject)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the same naming formula introduces the key female protagonist.
תָּמָֽרTamarproper noun · תָּמָר (H8559)Predicate of circumstantial clauseתָּמָר (H8559) 'palm tree'; the woman on whom the entire episode turns.
7
וַיְהִ֗י עֵ֚ר בְּכ֣וֹר יְהוּדָ֔ה רַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וַיְמִתֵ֖הוּ יְהוָֽה
And Er, Judah's firstborn, was evil in the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD put him to death.
The first rupture in Judah's line is attributed directly to divine judgment, with no narrative mitigation offered for Er.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיְהִ֗יand wasQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; stative wayyiqtol introducing the characterization of Er.
עֵ֚רErproper noun · עֵר (H6147)Subjectעֵר (H6147), Judah's firstborn, subject of the divine death sentence.
בְּכ֣וֹרfirstborn ofN m sg cstr · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Appositive to עֵרבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; construct marking Er's privileged but forfeited status.
יְהוּדָ֔הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Construct chain (genitival)יְהוּדָה (H3063); Er is identified through his father, heightening the loss.
רַ֖עeviladj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Predicate adjectiveרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; the moral verdict pronounced without naming the specific act.
בְּעֵינֵ֣יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N (cb) dual cstr · עַיִן (H5869)Standard of evaluation phraseעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה the idiom for divine moral assessment.
יְהוָ֑הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of prepositionיְהוָה (H3068), the divine name; the LORD is judge and executioner here.
וַיְמִתֵ֖הוּand put him to deathHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms + 3ms suf · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמוּת (H4191) Hiphil 'to put to death'; causative — LORD is agent of Er's death.
יְהוָֽהthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); repetition of the divine name marks deliberate divine agency.
8
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוּדָה֙ לְאוֹנָ֔ן בֹּ֛א אֶל אֵ֥שֶׁת אָחִ֖יךָ וְיַבֵּ֣ם אֹתָ֑הּ וְהָקֵ֥ם זֶ֖רַע לְאָחִֽיךָ
And Judah said to Onan, 'Go in to your brother's wife, and perform a brother-in-law's duty to her, and raise up seed for your brother.'
Judah invokes the obligation to preserve a dead brother's line, making family continuity and levirate responsibility the explicit issue.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard speech introduction verb.
יְהוּדָה֙Judahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); Judah now invokes levirate obligation.
לְאוֹנָ֔ןto Onanprep לְ + proper noun · אוֹנָן (H209)Indirect object (addressee)אוֹנָן (H209), the second son commanded to perform levirate duty.
בֹּ֛אgo inQal impv 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main command)→ Volitional: direct imperative commandבּוֹא (H935) 'to go in'; with אֶל אֵשֶׁת idiom for sexual union commanded.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; part of the idiom for going in to a woman.
אֵ֥שֶׁתwife ofN f sg cstr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of prepositionאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; construct identifies Tamar as belonging to the dead brother.
אָחִ֖יךָyour brotherN m sg cstr + 2ms suf · אָח (H251)Construct chain (genitival)אָח (H251) 'brother'; the fraternal relation grounds the levirate obligation.
וְיַבֵּ֣םand perform levirate dutyconj וְ + Piel impv 2ms · יָבַם (H2992)Coordinated imperative command→ Volitional: coordinated direct imperativeיָבַם (H2992) 'to perform levirate duty'; the only Piel occurrence in the Hebrew Bible.
אֹתָ֑הּherobj marker + 3fs suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of יְיַבֵּםאֵת (H853) with 3fs suf; marks Tamar as definite object of the levirate act.
וְהָקֵ֥םand raise upconj וְ + Hiphil impv 2ms · קוּם (H6965)Coordinated imperative command→ Volitional: coordinated direct imperativeקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to raise up'; raising seed for the dead brother is the stated goal.
זֶ֖רַעseedN m sg abs · זֶרַע (H2233)Direct objectזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; the continuation of the dead brother's line.
לְאָחִֽיךָfor your brotherprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 2ms suf · אָח (H251)Dative of benefitאָח (H251) 'brother'; the obligation is owed to the dead brother's name and line.
9
וַיֵּ֣דַע אוֹנָ֔ן כִּ֛י לֹּ֥א ל֖וֹ יִהְיֶ֣ה הַזָּ֑רַע וְהָיָ֞ה אִם בָּ֨א אֶל אֵ֤שֶׁת אָחִיו֙ וְשִׁחֵ֣ת אַ֔רְצָה לְבִלְתִּ֥י נְתָן זֶ֖רַע לְאָחִֽיו
And Onan knew that the seed would not be his; and it came to pass, whenever he went in to his brother's wife, that he wasted it on the ground, so as not to give seed to his brother.
Onan's conduct is explained by inheritance logic: he refuses the brother-centered outcome of the union and deliberately frustrates the duty laid on him.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיֵּ֣דַעand knewQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; cognitive act explaining Onan's motive.
אוֹנָ֔ןOnanproper noun · אוֹנָן (H209)Subjectאוֹנָן (H209); the narrator reveals Onan's private reasoning.
כִּ֛יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (object clause)כִּי (H3588) 'that, because'; introduces the content of Onan's knowledge.
לֹּ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of predicateלֹא (H3808) standard negation; the seed would not be his.
ל֖וֹhisprep + 3ms suf · לְ (dative)Dative of possessionPrep לְ with 3ms suf 'to him'; marks whose benefit the offspring would accrue to.
יִהְיֶ֣הwould beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (object clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — modal/potentialהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; modal imperfect expressing what would have been his.
הַזָּ֑רַעthe seedart + N m sg abs · זֶרַע (H2233)Subject of יִהְיֶהזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; the inheritance object Onan refuses to produce.
וְהָיָ֞הand it happenedconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Iterative circumstantial frame→ Weqatal: iterative past — repeated actionהָיָה (H1961) 'to happen'; weqatal marking habitual past: 'whenever it happened.'
אִםif, wheneverconj · אִם (H518)Conditional/iterative conjunctionאִם (H518) 'if'; with past iterative frame functions as 'whenever.'
בָּ֨אhe went inQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Protasis predicate→ Perfective in iterative: repeated past actבּוֹא (H935) 'to go in'; each past occurrence of the union.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; part of the idiom for going in to a woman.
אֵ֤שֶׁתwife ofN f sg cstr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of prepositionאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; Tamar's status as Er's widow makes this a levirate context.
אָחִיו֙his brotherN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Construct chain (genitival)אָח (H251) 'brother'; the fraternal claim Onan deliberately nullifies.
וְשִׁחֵ֣תhe wasted itconj וְ + Piel perf 3ms · שָׁחַת (H7843)Apodosis predicate (iterative)→ Weqatal: iterative past — deliberate volitional actשָׁחַת (H7843) Piel 'to destroy, ruin'; deliberate spilling to frustrate the seed.
אַ֔רְצָהto the groundN (cb) sg abs + dir ה · אֶרֶץ (H776)Directional accusativeאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'; directional ה marks the spilling as purposefully earthward.
לְבִלְתִּ֥יso as not toprep לְ + neg particle · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Purpose negationבִּלְתִּי (H1115) 'not, without'; with לְ + inf expresses negative purpose.
נְתָןgiveQal inf cstr · נָתַן (H5414)Complementary infinitive→ Infinitive: negative purpose — withheld givingנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the inf names Onan's withheld act.
זֶ֖רַעseedN m sg abs · זֶרַע (H2233)Direct object of infinitiveזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed'; the offspring denied to the dead brother's line.
לְאָחִֽיוto his brotherprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Dative of benefitאָח (H251) 'brother'; levirate duty owed to the dead brother's memory.
10
וַיֵּ֛רַע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה וַיָּ֖מֶת גַּם אֹתֽוֹ
And what he did was evil in the eyes of the LORD, and He put him to death also.
The second divine judgment confirms that the offense is serious and leaves Judah's house with its line endangered twice over.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיֵּ֛רַעand was evilQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָעַע (H7489)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָעַע (H7489) 'to be evil, displease'; his act was evil in the divine view.
בְּעֵינֵ֥יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N (cb) dual cstr · עַיִן (H5869)Standard of evaluation phraseעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; the idiomatic standard of divine moral assessment.
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of prepositionיְהוָה (H3068); the LORD is judge as in v. 7.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhatrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head (subject of וַיֵּרַע)אֲשֶׁר (H834) 'which, what'; nominalized relative: 'what he did.'
עָשָׂ֑הhe didQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed act viewed as a wholeעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the act named globally without specification.
וַיָּ֖מֶתand put him to deathHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמוּת (H4191) Hiphil 'to cause to die'; second divine execution mirrors v. 7.
גַּםalsoadditive particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive particleגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; parallel to Er's fate — the pattern is unmistakable.
אֹתֽוֹhimobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) with 3ms suf; marks Onan as object of the divine death sentence.
11
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוּדָה֩ לְתָמָ֨ר כַּלָּת֜וֹ שְׁבִ֧י אַלְמָנָ֣ה בֵית אָבִ֗יךְ עַד יִגְדַּל֙ שֵׁלָ֣ה בְנִ֔י כִּ֣י אָמַ֔ר פֶּן יָמ֥וּת גַּם ה֖וּא כְּאֶחָ֑יו וַתֵּ֣לֶךְ תָּמָ֔ר וַתֵּ֖שֶׁב בֵּ֥ית אָבִֽיהָ
Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, 'Remain a widow in your father's house until Shelah my son is grown up'; for he said, 'Lest he also die like his brothers.' So Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
Judah outwardly delays the arrangement until Shelah matures, but the narrator reveals the real motive as fear. Tamar is put back into suspension rather than being given justice.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Judah's speech to Tamar.
יְהוּדָה֩Judahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); now Judah speaks, outwardly patient but inwardly fearful.
לְתָמָ֨רto Tamarprep לְ + proper noun · תָּמָר (H8559)Indirect object (addressee)תָּמָר (H8559) 'palm tree'; Tamar is addressed as a member of the household.
כַּלָּת֜וֹhis daughter-in-lawN f sg cstr + 3ms suf · כַּלָּה (H3618)Appositive to תָּמָרכַּלָּה (H3618) 'daughter-in-law, bride'; her relational status within Judah's house.
שְׁבִ֧יremain, dwellQal impv 2fs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main command)→ Volitional: direct imperative commandיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; Judah's command to stay in her father's house.
אַלְמָנָ֣הa widowN f sg abs · אַלְמָנָה (H490)Predicate noun / adverbial accusativeאַלְמָנָה (H490) 'widow'; Tamar is to remain in this suspended status indefinitely.
בֵיתhouse ofN m sg cstr · בַּיִת (H1004)Locative object (goal of שְׁבִי)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; returning to the paternal house marks Tamar's loss of status.
אָבִ֗יךְyour fatherN m sg cstr + 2fs suf · אָב (H1)Construct chain (genitival)אָב (H1) 'father'; Tamar is sent back to her natal home rather than kept in Judah's.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until'; the stated condition, indefinitely deferred by Judah.
יִגְדַּל֙grows upQal impf 3ms · גָּדַל (H1431)Predicate verb (temporal clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — anticipated futureגָּדַל (H1431) 'to grow, be great'; the stated reason for Judah's delay.
שֵׁלָ֣הShelahproper noun · שֵׁלָה (H7956)Subject of יִגְדַּלשֵׁלָה (H7956), the third son, whom Judah will not actually give Tamar.
בְנִ֔יmy sonN m sg cstr + 1cs suf · בֵּן (H1121)Appositive to שֵׁלָהבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Judah's paternal claim belies his hidden motive.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (narrator's aside)כִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; introduces the narrator's revelation of Judah's true motive.
אָמַ֔רhe saidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (narrator's aside)→ Perfective: completed inner speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the narrator reports Judah's private reasoning.
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunctionפֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the feared outcome governing Judah's decision.
יָמ֥וּתhe also dieQal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (feared consequence)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — modal/feared outcomeמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; Judah fears Shelah will die like his brothers.
גַּםalsoadditive particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive particleגַּם (H1571) 'also'; the pattern of deaths makes Judah fear a serial fate.
ה֖וּאhepersonal pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of יָמוּתהוּא (H1931) 'he'; refers to Shelah, the last son Judah fears to lose.
כְּאֶחָ֑יוlike his brothersprep כְּ + N m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Comparative prepositional phraseאָח (H251) 'brother'; the comparison reveals Judah's superstitious fear over Tamar.
וַתֵּ֣לֶךְand wentQal wayyiqtol 3fs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (narrative resumption)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to walk, go'; Tamar complies without protest for now.
תָּמָ֔רTamarproper noun · תָּמָר (H8559)Subjectתָּמָר (H8559); Tamar's compliance will eventually give way to action.
וַתֵּ֖שֶׁבand dweltQal wayyiqtol 3fs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; she carries out Judah's order, suspended in widowhood.
בֵּ֥יתhouse ofN m sg cstr · בַּיִת (H1004)Locative objectבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; the paternal house to which she is confined.
אָבִֽיהָher fatherN m sg cstr + 3fs suf · אָב (H1)Construct chain (genitival)אָב (H1) 'father'; Tamar is returned to natal subordination rather than given justice.
12
וַיִּרְבּוּ֙ הַיָּמִ֔ים וַתָּ֖מָת בַּת שׁ֣וּעַ אֵֽשֶׁת יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיִּנָּ֣חֶם יְהוּדָ֗ה וַיַּ֜עַל עַל גֹּֽזֲזֵ֤י צֹאנוֹ֙ ה֗וּא וְחִירָ֛ה רֵעֵ֥הוּ הָעֲדֻלָּמִ֖י תִּמְנָֽתָה
And many days were multiplied, and the daughter of Shua, Judah's wife, died. And Judah was comforted, and he went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and Hirah his Adullamite friend.
Time passes, bereavement comes, and then the scene shifts into the sheepshearing setting, a moment of movement and festal vulnerability.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיִּרְבּוּ֙and were manyQal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָבָה (H7235)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָבָה (H7235) 'to multiply, be many'; idiom for the passage of considerable time.
הַיָּמִ֔יםthe daysart + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Subject of וַיִּרְבּוּיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'the days were many' — time sufficient for Shelah to mature.
וַתָּ֖מָתand she diedQal wayyiqtol 3fs · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the death of Judah's wife shifts the scene.
בַּתdaughter ofN f sg cstr · בַּת (H1323)Subjectבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; Judah's wife is identified through her father, not named.
שׁ֣וּעַShuaproper noun · שׁוּעַ (H7770)Construct chain (genitival)שׁוּעַ (H7770), the Canaanite father-in-law; his daughter dies unnamed.
אֵֽשֶׁתwife ofN f sg cstr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositive to subjectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; in apposition identifying her as Judah's wife.
יְהוּדָ֑הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Construct chain (genitival)יְהוּדָה (H3063); the loss of his wife sets up Judah's vulnerability at sheepshearing.
וַיִּנָּ֣חֶםand was comfortedNiphal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָחַם (H5162)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָחַם (H5162) Niphal 'to be comforted, relent'; grief passed, readiness for movement.
יְהוּדָ֗הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); grief resolved, Judah now moves into the festive shearing setting.
וַיַּ֜עַלand went upQal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; Judah's ascent to Timnah brings him into Tamar's reach.
עַלto, overprep · עַל (H5921)Directional prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; with שָׁאַל idiom for approaching sheepshearers.
גֹּֽזֲזֵ֤יshearers ofQal ptc m pl cstr · גָּזַז (H1494)Object of preposition→ Participial: identifying role — the shearersגָּזַז (H1494) 'to shear'; the sheepshearing festival context of festive vulnerability.
צֹאנוֹ֙his flockN (cb) sg cstr + 3ms suf · צֹאן (H6629)Construct chain (genitival)צֹאן (H6629) 'flock, sheep'; sheepshearing is a festive communal occasion.
ה֗וּאhepersonal pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (resumed)הוּא (H1931) 'he'; resumes Judah as subject after the companion is named.
וְחִירָ֛הand Hirahconj וְ + proper noun · חִירָה (H2437)Coordinated subjectחִירָה (H2437), the Adullamite friend from v. 1, reappears as companion.
רֵעֵ֥הוּhis friendN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · רֵעַ (H7453)Appositive to חִירָהרֵעַ (H7453) 'friend, companion, neighbor'; Hirah is Judah's trusted associate.
הָעֲדֻלָּמִ֖יthe Adullamiteart + gentilic adj m sg abs · עֲדֻלָּמִי (H5726)Appositive modifierעֲדֻלָּמִי (H5726); identifies Hirah's origin, consistent with v. 1.
תִּמְנָֽתָהto Timnahproper noun + dir ה · תִּמְנָה (H8553)Directional accusative (goal)תִּמְנָה (H8553), a town in the Shephelah; the sheepshearing site where Tamar intercepts Judah.
13
וַיֻּגַּ֥ד לְתָמָ֖ר לֵאמֹ֑ר הִנֵּ֥ה חָמִ֛יךְ עֹלֶ֥ה תִמְנָ֖תָה לָגֹ֥ז צֹאנֽוֹ
And it was told Tamar, saying, 'Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his flock.'
The report gives Tamar the concrete opening she needs; the narrative begins moving from grievance to strategy.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיֻּגַּ֥דand it was toldHophal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָגַד (H5046)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַד (H5046) Hophal 'to be told'; the passive narrows reader focus to Tamar's response.
לְתָמָ֖רto Tamarprep לְ + proper noun · תָּמָר (H8559)Indirect object (recipient)תָּמָר (H8559); the report gives Tamar the concrete opening she has been waiting for.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · אָמַר (H559)Formulaic speech introduction→ Infinitive: formulaic speech-introductionאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר standard formula introducing direct speech.
הִנֵּ֥הbeholdattention particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particleהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; draws attention to the following report.
חָמִ֛יךְyour father-in-lawN m sg cstr + 2fs suf · חָם (H2524)Subjectחָם (H2524) 'father-in-law'; Judah's familial relation to Tamar is the key to her plan.
עֹלֶ֥הis going upQal ptc m sg abs · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate (participial clause)→ Participial: progressive present — ongoing movementעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; ptc denotes action in progress at the time of the report.
תִמְנָ֖תָהto Timnahproper noun + dir ה · תִּמְנָה (H8553)Directional accusative (goal)תִּמְנָה (H8553), the sheepshearing site; the same destination as v. 12.
לָגֹ֥זto shearprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · גָּזַז (H1494)Purpose infinitival phrase→ Infinitive: purpose — going to shearגָּזַז (H1494) 'to shear'; the festive purpose of the trip.
צֹאנֽוֹhis flockN (cb) sg cstr + 3ms suf · צֹאן (H6629)Object of infinitiveצֹאן (H6629) 'flock'; sheepshearing is the occasion Tamar uses to intercept Judah.
14
וַתָּסַר֩ בִּגְדֵ֨י אַלְמְנוּתָ֜הּ מֵֽעָלֶ֗יהָ וַתְּכַ֤ס בַּצָּעִיף֙ וַתִּתְעַלָּ֔ף וַתֵּ֨שֶׁב֙ בְּפֶ֣תַח עֵינַ֔יִם אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל דֶּ֣רֶךְ תִּמְנָ֑תָה כִּ֤י רָאֲתָה֙ כִּֽי גָדַ֣ל שֵׁלָ֔ה וְהִ֕וא לֹֽא נִתְּנָ֥ה ל֖וֹ לְאִשָּֽׁה
And she removed her widow's garments from upon her, and covered herself with a veil and wrapped herself, and sat at the entrance of Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him as a wife.
Tamar's disguise is driven by discernment, not whim. She sees plainly that Judah has not fulfilled his obligation and acts from that denied status.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וַתָּסַר֩and she removedHiphil wayyiqtol 3fs · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceסוּר (H5493) Hiphil 'to remove, take off'; Tamar's deliberate shedding of widow's garments.
בִּגְדֵ֨יgarments ofN m pl cstr · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct objectבֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, clothing'; the widow's garments mark her suspended status.
אַלְמְנוּתָ֜הּher widowhoodN f sg cstr + 3fs suf · אַלְמְנוּת (H491)Construct chain (genitival)אַלְמְנוּת (H491) 'widowhood'; these garments encode the status Judah imposed on Tamar.
מֵֽעָלֶ֗יהָfrom upon herprep מִן + prep עַל + 3fs suf · עַל (H5921)Separative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; compound מֵעָלֶיהָ marks removal of something covering her.
וַתְּכַ֤סand covered herselfPiel wayyiqtol 3fs · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceכָּסָה (H3680) Piel 'to cover'; the deliberate veiling completes the disguise.
בַּצָּעִיף֙with the veilprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · צָעִיף (H6809)Instrumental prepositional phraseצָעִיף (H6809) 'veil'; the veil that causes Judah's misidentification in v. 15.
וַתִּתְעַלָּ֔ףand wrapped herselfHitpael wayyiqtol 3fs · עָלַף (H5968)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָלַף (H5968) Hitpael 'to wrap, cover oneself'; reinforces completeness of the disguise.
וַתֵּ֨שֶׁב֙and satQal wayyiqtol 3fs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit'; Tamar positions herself deliberately at the roadside.
בְּפֶ֣תַחat the entrance ofprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Locative prepositional phraseפֶּתַח (H6607) 'entrance, opening'; the location may be a place name or descriptive.
עֵינַ֔יִםEnaimproper noun · עֵינַיִם (H5879)Construct chain (place name)עֵינַיִם (H5879), possibly a place name or descriptive; 'opening of eyes' left ambiguous.
אֲשֶׁ֖רwhichrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'which, that'; introduces locative relative clause modifying עֵינַיִם.
עַלon, byprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; marks the road she is sitting beside.
דֶּ֣רֶךְthe road toN (cb) sg cstr · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Object of prepositionדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; the main road on which Judah will pass.
תִּמְנָ֑תָהTimnahproper noun + dir ה · תִּמְנָה (H8553)Construct chain (genitival)תִּמְנָה (H8553); the road to Judah's sheepshearing confirms her chosen intercept point.
כִּ֤יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (motivation)כִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; introduces Tamar's discerned reason for acting.
רָאֲתָה֙she sawQal perf 3fs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: completed act of discernmentרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Tamar's perception is the moral engine of her action.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (object clause)כִּי (H3588) 'that'; introduces the content of what Tamar has seen.
גָדַ֣לhad grown upQal perf 3ms · גָּדַל (H1431)Predicate verb (object clause)→ Perfective: completed state — Shelah now grownגָּדַל (H1431) 'to grow, be great'; Shelah has reached maturity — Judah's stated condition is now met.
שֵׁלָ֔הShelahproper noun · שֵׁלָה (H7956)Subject of גָדַלשֵׁלָה (H7956); Judah's pretext for delay has expired, yet he has not acted.
וְהִ֕ואand sheconj וְ + personal pronoun 3fs · הוּא (H1931)Subject (contrastive)הוּא (H1931) 3fs; contrastive — Shelah is grown, yet Tamar has not been given to him.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of predicateלֹא (H3808) standard negation; the denial of Tamar's right is the motor of her action.
נִתְּנָ֥הhad been givenNiphal perf 3fs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (contrastive clause)→ Perfective: completed state — she was not givenנָתַן (H5414) Niphal 'to be given'; passive — Tamar has been withheld, not given.
ל֖וֹto himprep + 3ms suf · לְ (dative)Dative of recipientPrep לְ + 3ms suf 'to him'; Shelah is the withheld husband.
לְאִשָּֽׁהas a wifeprep לְ + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Predicate complement (double accusative)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; Tamar is denied the status she was promised.
15
וַיִּרְאֶ֣הָ יְהוּדָ֔ה וַֽיַּחְשְׁבֶ֖הָ לְזוֹנָ֑ה כִּ֥י כִסְּתָ֖ה פָּנֶֽיהָ
And Judah saw her and reckoned her to be a prostitute, because she had covered her face.
Judah misreads Tamar at a glance, and the entire reversal of the narrative depends on this failed recognition.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיִּרְאֶ֣הָand he saw herQal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3fs suf · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; sight verb inaugurates Judah's misidentification.
יְהוּדָ֔הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); the man who should recognize his own daughter-in-law does not.
וַֽיַּחְשְׁבֶ֖הָand reckoned herQal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3fs suf · חָשַׁב (H2803)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָשַׁב (H2803) 'to think, reckon, consider'; the failed cognitive judgment enabling the irony.
לְזוֹנָ֑הto be a prostituteprep לְ + Qal ptc f sg abs · זָנָה (H2181)Predicate complement (double accusative)→ Participial: categorizing role — a prostituteזָנָה (H2181) 'to commit fornication'; Judah misreads Tamar's appearance.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'because'; explains the basis of Judah's misjudgment.
כִסְּתָ֖הshe had coveredPiel perf 3fs · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: completed prior actionכָּסָה (H3680) Piel 'to cover'; the veil-covering of v. 14 explains Judah's error.
פָּנֶֽיהָher faceN (cb) pl cstr + 3fs suf · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct objectפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; covering the face made recognition impossible for Judah.
16
וַיֵּ֨ט אֵלֶ֜יהָ אֶל הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ הָֽבָה נָּא֙ אָב֣וֹא אֵלַ֔יִךְ כִּ֚י לֹ֣א יָדַ֔ע כִּ֥י כַלָּת֖וֹ הִ֑וא וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ מַה תִּתֶּן לִּ֔י כִּ֥י תָב֖וֹא אֵלָֽי
And he turned aside to her by the way and said, 'Come now, let me go in to you'; for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, 'What will you give me, that you may come in to me?'
Judah initiates the encounter in ignorance, while Tamar immediately shifts the scene into negotiated terms rather than passive compliance.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיֵּ֨טand turned asideQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָטָה (H5186)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָטָה (H5186) 'to turn aside'; Judah initiates the approach to the veiled woman.
אֵלֶ֜יהָto herprep + 3fs suf · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; Judah's movement toward the unrecognized Tamar.
אֶלbyprep · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, by'; marks the road as the location of the turn.
הַדֶּ֗רֶךְthe roadart + N (cb) sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Object of prepositionדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; the roadside setting of the encounter.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Judah's proposal in ignorance of her identity.
הָֽבָהcome, let meQal impv 2ms + coh particle · הָבָה (H3051)Presentative interjectionהָבָה (H3051) 'come, give, allow'; colloquial interjection inviting the transaction.
נָּא֙pleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Politeness particleנָא (H4994) 'now, please'; softens the request with deference.
אָב֣וֹאlet me come inQal cohortative 1cs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (request)→ Cohortative: volitional — first-person requestבּוֹא (H935) 'to go in'; the idiom for sexual union; cohortative expresses his request.
אֵלַ֔יִךְto youprep + 2fs suf · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; completes the idiom בּוֹא אֶל for sexual union.
כִּ֚יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (narrator's aside)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; narrator explains Judah's ignorance.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of predicateלֹא (H3808) standard negation; he did not know.
יָדַ֔עhe knewQal perf 3ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (narrator's aside)→ Perfective: completed state of ignoranceיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; the fundamental irony — Judah acts in ignorance of Tamar.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (object clause)כִּי (H3588) 'that'; introduces the content of what Judah did not know.
כַלָּת֖וֹhis daughter-in-lawN f sg cstr + 3ms suf · כַּלָּה (H3618)Predicate nominative (object clause)כַּלָּה (H3618) 'daughter-in-law'; the relation that makes Judah's act incestuous by implication.
הִ֑ואshe waspersonal pronoun 3fs · הוּא (H1931)Subject of predicationהוּא (H1931) 3fs 'she'; the pronoun completes the predication: she was his daughter-in-law.
וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙and she saidQal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Tamar's response shifts the encounter to negotiation.
מַהwhatinterrogative pronoun · מָה (H4100)Interrogative subject/objectמָה (H4100) 'what'; Tamar redirects the encounter to terms.
תִּתֶּןwill you giveQal impf 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (question)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — future/volitionalנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Tamar demands payment before granting access.
לִּ֔יto meprep + 1cs suf · לְ (dative)Dative of recipientPrep לְ + 1cs suf 'to me'; Tamar demands a pledge payable to her.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (result)כִּי (H3588) 'that, so that'; the condition for her compliance.
תָב֖וֹאyou come inQal impf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (conditional clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — conditionalבּוֹא (H935) 'to come in'; mirrors his request with her price attached.
אֵלָֽיto meprep + 1cs suf · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; Tamar's counter-terms reverse control of the encounter.
17
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אָנֹכִ֛י אֲשַׁלַּ֥ח גְּדִֽי עִזִּ֖ים מִן הַצֹּ֑אן וַתֹּ֕אמֶר אִם תִּתֵּ֥ן עֵרָב֖וֹן עַ֥ד שָׁלְחֶֽךָ
And he said, 'I will send a kid of the goats from the flock.' And she said, 'If you will give a pledge until you send it.'
The agreement turns on deferred payment, and Tamar's demand for a pledge shows deliberate foresight rather than impulsive risk.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Judah's offer: a future kid from the flock.
אָנֹכִ֛יIpersonal pronoun 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic)אָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; the emphatic form stresses personal commitment to send the kid.
אֲשַׁלַּ֥חwill sendPiel impf 1cs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (promise)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — future/volitional promiseשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send'; Judah's promised deferred payment.
גְּדִֽיkid ofN m sg cstr · גְּדִי (H1423)Direct objectגְּדִי (H1423) 'kid, young goat'; the agreed payment, subsequently unfindable.
עִזִּ֖יםgoatsN f pl abs · עֵז (H5795)Construct chain (genitival)עֵז (H5795) 'goat'; a kid from the goat-flock is the price Judah names.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from'; the kid is drawn from Judah's own flock.
הַצֹּ֑אןthe flockart + N (cb) sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Object of prepositionצֹאן (H6629) 'flock'; the same flock he is going to shear.
וַתֹּ֕אמֶרand she saidQal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Tamar counters with a demand for immediate security.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunctionאִם (H518) 'if'; Tamar makes the transaction conditional on receiving a pledge.
תִּתֵּ֥ןyou giveQal impf 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (protasis)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — conditional futureנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the condition for her compliance.
עֵרָב֖וֹןa pledgeN m sg abs · עֲרָבוֹן (H6162)Direct objectעֲרָבוֹן (H6162) 'pledge, security'; Tamar insists on immediate collateral, foresighted.
עַ֥דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until'; the pledge is held until payment arrives.
שָׁלְחֶֽךָyou send itQal inf cstr + 2ms suf · שָׁלַח (H7971)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive: temporal — until your sendingשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; the inf + suffix specifies the moment of release.
18
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר מָ֣ה הָֽעֵרָבוֹן֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶתֶּן לָּךְ֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר חֹתָֽמְךָ֙ וּפְתִילֶ֔ךָ וּמַטְּךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וַיִּתֶּן לָּ֛הּ וַיָּבֹ֥א אֵלֶ֖יהָ וַתַּ֥הַר לֽוֹ
And he said, 'What is the pledge that I shall give you?' And she said, 'Your seal, and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.' And he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him.
The identifying objects pass into Tamar's possession before the union is completed, so conception and future proof are bound together in one act.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Judah asks what pledge she wants.
מָ֣הwhatinterrogative pronoun · מָה (H4100)Interrogative subjectמָה (H4100) 'what'; Judah's question invites Tamar to name the pledge.
הָֽעֵרָבוֹן֮the pledgeart + N m sg abs · עֲרָבוֹן (H6162)Subject of questionעֲרָבוֹן (H6162) 'pledge'; the identifying token that will expose Judah later.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'which, that'; introduces the relative clause specifying the pledge.
אֶתֶּןI shall giveQal impf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — future/volitionalנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Judah's offer to name the pledge himself.
לָּךְ֒to youprep + 2fs suf · לְ (dative)Dative of recipientPrep לְ + 2fs suf 'to you'; the recipient of the pledge is Tamar.
וַתֹּ֗אמֶרand she saidQal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Tamar names three identifying objects.
חֹתָֽמְךָ֙your sealN m sg cstr + 2ms suf · חוֹתָם (H2368)Direct object (first pledge item)חוֹתָם (H2368) 'seal, signet'; a personal identifying object of high value.
וּפְתִילֶ֔ךָand your cordconj וְ + N m sg cstr + 2ms suf · פְּתִיל (H6616)Coordinated direct objectפְּתִיל (H6616) 'cord, thread'; the cord attached to the seal; a personal identifier.
וּמַטְּךָ֖and your staffconj וְ + N m sg cstr + 2ms suf · מַטֶּה (H4294)Coordinated direct objectמַטֶּה (H4294) 'staff, rod'; a personal emblem of authority and identity.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'which'; identifies the staff by its location in his hand.
בְּיָדֶ֑ךָin your handprep בְּ + N (cb) sg cstr + 2ms suf · יָד (H3027)Locative prepositional phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; specifies the staff he carries, making it unmistakably personal.
וַיִּתֶּןand he gaveQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Judah hands over the identifying tokens to Tamar.
לָּ֛הּto herprep + 3fs suf · לְ (dative)Dative of recipientPrep לְ + 3fs suf 'to her'; the objects pass into Tamar's possession permanently.
וַיָּבֹ֥אand went inQal wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to go in'; the union follows immediately upon receiving the pledge.
אֵלֶ֖יהָto herprep + 3fs suf · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; the idiom for sexual union; pledge and conception bound together.
וַתַּ֥הַרand she conceivedQal wayyiqtol 3fs · הָרָה (H2029)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָרָה (H2029) 'to conceive'; conception confirms the pledge's permanent significance.
לֽוֹby himprep + 3ms suf · לְ (dative)Dative of agentPrep לְ + 3ms suf 'by him'; the source of the child is Judah himself.
19
וַתָּ֣קָם וַתֵּ֔לֶךְ וַתָּ֥סַר צְעִיפָ֖הּ מֵעָלֶ֑יהָ וַתִּלְבַּ֖שׁ בִּגְדֵ֥י אַלְמְנוּתָֽהּ
And she arose and went away, and removed her veil from upon her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
Tamar leaves the scene as carefully as she entered it, restoring the visible condition under which Judah had confined her.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַתָּ֣קָםand she aroseQal wayyiqtol 3fs · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקוּם (H6965) 'to arise'; Tamar departs as carefully as she arrived.
וַתֵּ֔לֶךְand wentQal wayyiqtol 3fs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to walk, go'; she withdraws before Judah can identify her.
וַתָּ֥סַרand removedHiphil wayyiqtol 3fs · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceסוּר (H5493) Hiphil 'to remove'; exact reversal of v. 14's veiling sequence.
צְעִיפָ֖הּher veilN m sg cstr + 3fs suf · צָעִיף (H6809)Direct objectצָעִיף (H6809) 'veil'; removed to restore her previous visible identity.
מֵעָלֶ֑יהָfrom upon herprep מִן + prep עַל + 3fs suf · עַל (H5921)Separative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; the same compound phrase as v. 14 — a deliberate verbal echo.
וַתִּלְבַּ֖שׁand put onQal wayyiqtol 3fs · לָבַשׁ (H3847)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָבַשׁ (H3847) 'to put on, wear'; Tamar restores the widow's garments she had set aside.
בִּגְדֵ֥יgarments ofN m pl cstr · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct objectבֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment'; the widow's garments that mark her imposed status.
אַלְמְנוּתָֽהּher widowhoodN f sg cstr + 3fs suf · אַלְמְנוּת (H491)Construct chain (genitival)אַלְמְנוּת (H491) 'widowhood'; she re-enters the visible condition Judah imposed on her.
20
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח יְהוּדָ֜ה אֶת גְּדִ֣י הָֽעִזִּ֗ים בְּיַד֙ רֵעֵ֣הוּ הָֽעֲדֻלָּמִ֔י לָקַ֥חַת הָעֵרָב֖וֹן מִיַּ֣ד הָאִשָּׁ֑ה וְלֹ֖א מְצָאָֽהּ
And Judah sent the kid of the goats by the hand of his Adullamite friend, to receive the pledge from the woman's hand; but he did not find her.
Judah tries to close the matter discreetly, but the tokens that should return to him remain out of reach.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨חand sentQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Judah tries to recover the pledge discreetly through Hirah.
יְהוּדָ֜הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); Judah's attempt to close the matter before it is publicly known.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks the kid as definite direct object.
גְּדִ֣יthe kid ofN m sg cstr · גְּדִי (H1423)Direct objectגְּדִי (H1423) 'kid'; the promised payment that Judah sends via Hirah.
הָֽעִזִּ֗יםthe goatsart + N f pl abs · עֵז (H5795)Construct chain (genitival)עֵז (H5795) 'goat'; the goat-kid is now sent as the agreed payment.
בְּיַד֙by the hand ofprep בְּ + N (cb) sg cstr · יָד (H3027)Instrumental prepositional phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; by means of Hirah — the idiom for using an agent.
רֵעֵ֣הוּhis friendN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · רֵעַ (H7453)Object of prepositionרֵעַ (H7453) 'friend, companion'; Hirah is used as discreet intermediary.
הָֽעֲדֻלָּמִ֔יthe Adullamiteart + gentilic adj m sg abs · עֲדֻלָּמִי (H5726)Appositive modifierעֲדֻלָּמִי (H5726); identifies Hirah consistently as in vv. 1, 12.
לָקַ֥חַתto receiveprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · לָקַח (H3947)Purpose infinitival phrase→ Infinitive: purpose — to recover the pledgeלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, receive'; the purpose of Hirah's mission.
הָעֵרָב֖וֹןthe pledgeart + N m sg abs · עֲרָבוֹן (H6162)Object of infinitiveעֲרָבוֹן (H6162) 'pledge'; the identifying items Judah wants returned.
מִיַּ֣דfrom the hand ofprep מִן + N (cb) sg cstr · יָד (H3027)Separative prepositional phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; from the woman's possession — the idiom for recovering from someone.
הָאִשָּׁ֑הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of prepositionאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; Judah refers to her generically, not knowing her identity.
וְלֹ֖אbut notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Adversative conjunction + negationלֹא (H3808) 'not'; the failed mission — the tokens remain with Tamar.
מְצָאָֽהּfind herQal perf 3ms + 3fs suf · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed failed actionמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; the woman has vanished, the pledge irretrievable.
21
וַיִּשְׁאַ֞ל אֶת אַנְשֵׁ֤י מְקֹמָהּ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר אַיֵּ֧ה הַקְּדֵשָׁ֛ה הִ֥וא בָעֵינַ֖יִם עַל הַדָּ֑רֶךְ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ לֹא הָיְתָ֥ה בָזֶ֖ה קְדֵשָֽׁה
And he asked the men of her place, saying, 'Where is the consecrated woman who was at Enaim by the road?' And they said, 'There has been no consecrated woman here.'
The search fails at the level of public knowledge, and the narrative leaves visible the social vocabulary shift from prostitute to consecrated woman.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיִּשְׁאַ֞לand he askedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁאַל (H7592)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁאַל (H7592) 'to ask, inquire'; Hirah inquires locally about the woman.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks the men as definite direct object of the inquiry.
אַנְשֵׁ֤יmen ofN m pl cstr · אִישׁ (H376)Direct objectאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the local men serve as Hirah's source of information.
מְקֹמָהּ֙her placeN m sg cstr + 3fs suf · מָקוֹם (H4725)Construct chain (genitival)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; the local inhabitants of the place where Tamar sat.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · אָמַר (H559)Formulaic speech introduction→ Infinitive: formulaic speech-introductionאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר introduces the specific question asked.
אַיֵּ֧הwhere isinterrogative · אַיֵּה (H346)Interrogative predicateאַיֵּה (H346) 'where?'; the directional inquiry that yields a negative answer.
הַקְּדֵשָׁ֛הthe consecrated womanart + N f sg abs · קְדֵשָׁה (H6948)Subject of questionקְדֵשָׁה (H6948) 'consecrated woman'; Hirah uses elevated social vocabulary, not זוֹנָה.
הִ֥ואshepersonal pronoun 3fs · הוּא (H1931)Subject in relative clauseהוּא (H1931) 3fs; resumptive pronoun locating her at Enaim.
בָעֵינַ֖יִםat Enaimprep בְּ + art + proper noun · עֵינַיִם (H5879)Locative prepositional phraseעֵינַיִם (H5879); the place where Tamar sat, as in v. 14.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, beside'; further locating Enaim along the road.
הַדָּ֑רֶךְthe roadart + N (cb) sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Object of prepositionדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; consistent with the location described in vv. 14, 16.
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the locals deny any such woman was there.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) standard negation; the total denial of the consecrated woman's presence.
הָיְתָ֥הthere wasQal perf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed past stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the locals testify that no such woman existed at that location.
בָזֶ֖הhereprep בְּ + demonstrative m sg · זֶה (H2088)Locative prepositional phraseזֶה (H2088) 'this'; בָּזֶה 'here, in this place' — the locals deny local presence.
קְדֵשָֽׁהa consecrated womanadj f sg abs · קְדֵשָׁה (H6948)Subjectקְדֵשָׁה (H6948); the locals use the same term Hirah used — no such person known here.
22
וַיָּ֨שָׁב֙ אֶל יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיֹּ֖אמֶר לֹ֣א מְצָאתִ֑יהָ וְגַ֨ם אַנְשֵׁ֤י הַמָּקוֹם֙ אָֽמְר֔וּ לֹא הָיְתָ֥ה בָזֶ֖ה קְדֵשָֽׁה
And he returned to Judah and said, 'I did not find her; and also the men of the place said, There has been no consecrated woman here.'
Hirah's report confirms that recovery is impossible and prepares Judah's decision to abandon the pursuit.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיָּ֨שָׁב֙and returnedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; Hirah's mission fails and he reports back.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Judah as the destination of Hirah's return.
יְהוּדָ֔הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Object of prepositionיְהוּדָה (H3063); Hirah reports back to Judah the total failure of his search.
וַיֹּ֖אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Hirah delivers his negative report.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) standard negation; the pledge is irretrievable.
מְצָאתִ֑יהָI found herQal perf 1cs + 3fs suf · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed unsuccessful searchמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Hirah reports personal failure to locate the woman.
וְגַ֨םand alsoconj וְ + additive particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive conjunctionגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; adds the community's corroborating denial.
אַנְשֵׁ֤יmen ofN m pl cstr · אִישׁ (H376)Subjectאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the local men support Hirah's negative report.
הַמָּקוֹם֙the placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Construct chain (genitival)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; the local men of the area around Enaim.
אָֽמְר֔וּsaidQal perf 3cp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed testimonyאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the plural confirms the communal denial.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808); the men's testimony echoes Hirah's own denial.
הָיְתָ֥הthere wasQal perf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed past stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; no such woman had been present at that place.
בָזֶ֖הhereprep בְּ + demonstrative m sg · זֶה (H2088)Locative prepositional phraseזֶה (H2088) 'this'; בָּזֶה repeats verbatim the locals' denial from v. 21.
קְדֵשָֽׁהa consecrated womanadj f sg abs · קְדֵשָׁה (H6948)Subjectקְדֵשָׁה (H6948); the same term used in v. 21 — consistent social-vocabulary irony.
23
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוּדָה֙ תִּֽקַּֽח לָ֔הּ פֶּ֖ן נִהְיֶ֣ה לָב֑וּז הִנֵּ֤ה שָׁלַ֨חְתִּי֙ הַגְּדִ֣י הַזֶּ֔ה וְאַתָּ֖ה לֹ֥א מְצָאתָֽהּ
And Judah said, 'Let her take them for herself, lest we become a laughingstock; behold, I sent this kid, and you did not find her.'
Judah prefers private loss to public shame, not knowing that the retained objects will later expose him far more deeply.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Judah decides to drop the matter.
יְהוּדָה֙Judahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); Judah chooses private loss over public scandal.
תִּֽקַּֽחlet her take themQal impf 3fs · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (jussive-like)→ Yiqtol: jussive — third-person permission/concessionלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Judah concedes the pledge to avoid public shame.
לָ֔הּfor herselfprep + 3fs suf · לְ (dative)Reflexive dativePrep לְ + 3fs suf 'to herself'; reflexive — let her keep the pledge for her own.
פֶּ֖ןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunctionפֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; Judah's primary motive is avoidance of public ridicule.
נִהְיֶ֣הwe becomeQal impf 1cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (feared consequence)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — modal/feared outcomeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; Judah fears becoming a public laughingstock.
לָב֑וּזa laughingstockprep לְ + N m sg abs · בּוּז (H937)Predicate complementבּוּז (H937) 'contempt, shame, ridicule'; the social humiliation Judah fears.
הִנֵּ֤הbeholdattention particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particleהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; draws attention to his self-justification.
שָׁלַ֨חְתִּי֙I sentQal perf 1cs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed act of good faithשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Judah claims he fulfilled his obligation by sending the kid.
הַגְּדִ֣יthe kidart + N m sg abs · גְּדִי (H1423)Direct objectגְּדִי (H1423) 'kid'; the agreed payment Judah sent but Hirah could not deliver.
הַזֶּ֔הthisart + demonstrative m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrativeזֶה (H2088) 'this'; deictically points to the specific kid in view.
וְאַתָּ֖הand youconj וְ + personal pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (contrastive)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'; contrastive — Judah distinguishes his role from Hirah's failure.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) standard negation; you did not find her.
מְצָאתָֽהּfind herQal perf 2ms + 3fs suf · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed failed actionמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Judah implicitly exculpates himself by blaming failed search.
24
וַיְהִ֣י כְּמִשְׁלֹ֣שׁ חֳדָשִׁ֗ים וַיֻּגַּ֨ד לִֽיהוּדָ֤ה לֵֽאמֹר֙ זָֽנְתָה֙ תָּמָ֣ר כַּלָּתֶ֔ךָ וְגַ֛ם הִנֵּ֥ה הָרָ֖ה לִזְנוּנִ֑ים וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוּדָ֔ה הוֹצִיא֖וּהָ וְתִשָּׂרֵֽף
And it came to pass after about three months, that it was told Judah, saying, 'Tamar your daughter-in-law has played the harlot; and moreover, behold, she is pregnant by harlotry.' And Judah said, 'Bring her out, and let her be burned.'
Once Tamar's pregnancy becomes visible, Judah responds with explosive severity. His sentence exposes a hypocrisy the reader is already prepared to see.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיְהִ֣יand it came to passQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Narrative frame formula→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to happen'; temporal frame introducing the disclosure scene.
כְּמִשְׁלֹ֣שׁabout threeprep כְּ + prep מִן + numeral f sg cstr · שָׁלֹשׁ (H7969)Temporal prepositional phraseשָׁלֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; approximately three months — enough for pregnancy to be visible.
חֳדָשִׁ֗יםmonthsN m pl abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Object of compound prepositionחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month'; three months post-conception, the pregnancy has become evident.
וַיֻּגַּ֨דand it was toldHophal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָגַד (H5046)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַד (H5046) Hophal 'to be told, reported'; Tamar's pregnancy becomes public knowledge.
לִֽיהוּדָ֤הto Judahprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Indirect object (recipient)יְהוּדָה (H3063); Judah receives the report, unaware of his own involvement.
לֵֽאמֹר֙sayingprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · אָמַר (H559)Formulaic speech introduction→ Infinitive: formulaic speech-introductionאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the accusatory report.
זָֽנְתָה֙has played the harlotQal perf 3fs · זָנָה (H2181)Predicate verb (accusation)→ Perfective: completed act — accusation of completed actזָנָה (H2181) 'to commit fornication'; the same root Judah used to categorize Tamar in v. 15.
תָּמָ֣רTamarproper noun · תָּמָר (H8559)Subjectתָּמָר (H8559); the accused who will be the accuser.
כַּלָּתֶ֔ךָyour daughter-in-lawN f sg cstr + 2ms suf · כַּלָּה (H3618)Appositive to תָּמָרכַּלָּה (H3618) 'daughter-in-law'; the relational term heightens the offense to Judah.
וְגַ֛םand moreoverconj וְ + additive particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive conjunction (intensifying)גַּם (H1571) 'also, moreover'; the report adds a further, more pressing detail.
הִנֵּ֥הbeholdattention particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particleהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; draws sharp attention to the visible evidence.
הָרָ֖הpregnantadj f sg abs · הָרָה (H2030)Predicate adjectiveהָרָה (H2030) 'pregnant'; the physical evidence that triggers Judah's harsh verdict.
לִזְנוּנִ֑יםby fornicationprep לְ + N m pl abs · זְנוּנִים (H2183)Causal/result prepositional phraseזְנוּנִים (H2183) 'fornications, harlotries'; the nature of the pregnancy as reported.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Judah's explosive judgment follows immediately.
יְהוּדָ֔הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); the man who will be exposed as the father pronounces sentence.
הוֹצִיא֖וּהָbring her outHiphil impv 2mp + 3fs suf · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (command)→ Volitional: plural imperative — judicial commandיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the command to bring Tamar for public judgment.
וְתִשָּׂרֵֽףand let her be burnedconj וְ + Niphal jussive 3fs · שָׂרַף (H8313)Coordinated jussive (verdict)→ Yiqtol jussive: volitional — judicial death sentenceשָׂרַף (H8313) 'to burn'; burning is an especially severe penalty, exposing Judah's hypocrisy.
25
הִ֣וא מוּצֵ֗את וְהִ֨יא שָׁלְחָ֤ה אֶל חָמִ֨יהָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לְאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁר אֵ֣לֶּה לּ֔וֹ אָנֹכִ֖י הָרָ֑ה וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ הַכֶּר נָ֔א לְמִ֞י הַחֹתֶ֧מֶת וְהַפְּתִילִ֛ים וְהַמַּטֶּ֖ה הָאֵֽלֶּה
As she was being brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, 'By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.' And she said, 'Please recognize whose these are: the seal, and the cords, and the staff.'
Tamar does not initially name Judah; she lets the tokens speak. The recognition formula turns the judge into the one now placed under exposure.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
הִ֣ואshepersonal pronoun 3fs · הוּא (H1931)Subject (temporal clause)הוּא (H1931) 3fs; Tamar is the subject as she is being led out.
מוּצֵ֗אתbeing brought outHiphil ptc f sg abs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate (participial circumstantial)→ Participial: progressive — action in processיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil ptc 'being brought out'; the sentence is already being executed.
וְהִ֨יאand sheconj וְ + personal pronoun 3fs · הוּא (H1931)Contrastive subjectהוּא (H1931) 3fs; contrastive — while being led to execution, she acts.
שָׁלְחָ֤הsentQal perf 3fs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (contrastive clause)→ Perfective: completed deliberate actשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Tamar sends the tokens to Judah rather than naming him.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; the message goes directly to the one who must recognize the objects.
חָמִ֨יהָ֙her father-in-lawN m sg cstr + 3fs suf · חָם (H2524)Object of prepositionחָם (H2524) 'father-in-law'; Tamar addresses Judah by his relational title, not by name.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · אָמַר (H559)Formulaic speech introduction→ Infinitive: formulaic speech-introductionאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Tamar's message carried to Judah.
לְאִישׁ֙by the manprep לְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Dative/agent prepositional phraseאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; Tamar identifies the father obliquely — not by name but by his objects.
אֲשֶׁרto whomrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'who, which'; introduces the identifying relative clause.
אֵ֣לֶּהthesedemonstrative pronoun cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of relative clauseאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; refers to the three pledge objects being sent.
לּ֔וֹbelong to himprep + 3ms suf · לְ (dative)Predicate of possessionPrep לְ + 3ms suf 'to him'; these objects belong to the unnamed man — possession identifies him.
אָנֹכִ֖יIpersonal pronoun 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic)אָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; emphatic first-person claim — Tamar states her pregnancy plainly.
הָרָ֑הam pregnantadj f sg abs · הָרָה (H2030)Predicate adjectiveהָרָה (H2030) 'pregnant'; Tamar confirms the pregnancy while letting the objects speak the paternity.
וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙and saidQal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Tamar adds the recognition command.
הַכֶּרplease recognizeHiphil impv 2ms · נָכַר (H5234)Predicate verb (command)→ Volitional: imperative — recognition demandנָכַר (H5234) Hiphil 'to recognize, acknowledge'; הַכֶּר-נָא deliberately echoes Gen 37:32.
נָ֔אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Politeness particleנָא (H4994) 'please, now'; softens the imperative while carrying enormous ironic weight.
לְמִ֞יwhoseprep לְ + interrogative · מִי (H4310)Interrogative predicateמִי (H4310) 'who?'; the question whose answer Judah cannot evade.
הַחֹתֶ֧מֶתthe sealart + N f sg abs · חוֹתֶמֶת (H2858)Subject (first item)חוֹתֶמֶת (H2858) 'signet seal'; feminine form of חוֹתָם; the most personal identifying object.
וְהַפְּתִילִ֛יםand the cordsconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · פְּתִיל (H6616)Coordinated subject (second item)פְּתִיל (H6616) 'cord, thread'; the cord attached to Judah's seal — undeniable identifier.
וְהַמַּטֶּ֖הand the staffconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · מַטֶּה (H4294)Coordinated subject (third item)מַטֶּה (H4294) 'staff, rod'; Judah's personal staff — the three objects are unmistakably his.
הָאֵֽלֶּהtheseart + demonstrative cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrativeאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the deictic points to the three objects now before Judah.
26
וַיַּכֵּ֣ר יְהוּדָ֗ה וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ צָֽדְקָ֣ה מִמֶּ֔נִּי כִּֽי עַל כֵּ֥ן לֹא נְתַתִּ֖יהָ לְשֵׁלָ֣ה בְנִ֑י וְלֹֽא יָסַ֥ף ע֖וֹד לְדַעְתָּֽה
And Judah recognized them and said, 'She is more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son.' And he did not know her again.
This is the moral hinge of the chapter. Judah's confession names his own failure, and Tamar is vindicated not as blameless in abstraction but as more righteous within the claims of the household.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיַּכֵּ֣רand recognizedHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · נָכַר (H5234)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָכַר (H5234) Hiphil 'to recognize'; Judah's recognition answers Tamar's הַכֶּר-נָא command.
יְהוּדָ֗הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); the one who condemned now is forced to acknowledge his own act.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Judah's confession is the moral center of the chapter.
צָֽדְקָ֣הshe is more righteousQal perf 3fs · צָדַק (H6663)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed state — verdict of righteousnessצָדַק (H6663) 'to be righteous, just'; Judah pronounces Tamar's comparative righteousness plainly.
מִמֶּ֔נִּיthan Iprep מִן + 1cs suf · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) comparative 'than'; צָדְקָה מִמֶּנִּי 'she is more righteous than I.'
כִּֽיbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounds for verdict)כִּי (H3588) 'because'; Judah identifies the precise basis of his confession.
עַלon account ofprep · עַל (H5921)Causal prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, because of'; עַל-כֵּן 'on account of this' — the idiomatic causal expression.
כֵּ֥ןthis, thereforeadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Anaphoric adverbכֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; עַל-כֵּן 'on account of this' — pointing to the withheld Shelah.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) standard negation; I did not give her.
נְתַתִּ֖יהָI gave herQal perf 1cs + 3fs suf · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (grounds)→ Perfective: completed failure — he did not give herנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Judah's confession names his specific failure to give Tamar to Shelah.
לְשֵׁלָ֣הto Shelahprep לְ + proper noun · שֵׁלָה (H7956)Dative of recipient (withheld)שֵׁלָה (H7956); the son Judah withheld — the deferred obligation now named as the failure.
בְנִ֑יmy sonN m sg cstr + 1cs suf · בֵּן (H1121)Appositive to שֵׁלָהבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Judah's paternal claim over the son he failed to give.
וְלֹֽאand he did notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating negationלֹא (H3808) negation; introduces the closure of Judah's sexual relationship with Tamar.
יָסַ֥ףcontinueQal perf 3ms · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed cessationיָסַף (H3254) 'to add, continue'; he did not continue — final closure of the encounter.
ע֖וֹדagainadverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverb of continuation (negated)עוֹד (H5750) 'again, still'; with negation: 'he did not know her again.'
לְדַעְתָּֽהto know herprep לְ + Qal inf cstr + 3fs suf · יָדַע (H3045)Complementary infinitival phrase→ Infinitive: complementary — cessation of knowingיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; euphemism for sexual union; Judah does not repeat the act.
27
וַיְהִ֖י בְּעֵ֣ת לִדְתָּ֑הּ וְהִנֵּ֥ה תְאוֹמִ֖ים בְּבִטְנָֽהּ
And it came to pass at the time of her giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb.
The closing scene turns from exposure to birth, and the twin pregnancy signals another reversal still to come.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיְהִ֖יand it came to passQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Narrative frame formula→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to happen'; temporal frame introducing the birth scene.
בְּעֵ֣תat the time ofprep בְּ + N (cb) sg cstr · עֵת (H6256)Temporal prepositional phraseעֵת (H6256) 'time, season'; the appointed time of delivery.
לִדְתָּ֑הּher giving birthQal inf cstr + 3fs suf · יָלַד (H3205)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive: temporal — at the time of her bearingיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear'; the birth time of Tamar's twins from Judah.
וְהִנֵּ֥הand beholdconj וְ + attention particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (dramatic)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; draws the reader's attention to the unexpected twin discovery.
תְאוֹמִ֖יםtwinsN m pl abs · תְּאוֹם (H8380)Subjectתְּאוֹם (H8380) 'twin'; the twin birth sets up the reversal that follows.
בְּבִטְנָֽהּin her wombprep בְּ + N f sg cstr + 3fs suf · בֶּטֶן (H990)Locative prepositional phraseבֶּטֶן (H990) 'womb, belly'; the twins in the womb, whose birth order will be reversed.
28
וַיְהִ֥י בְלִדְתָּ֖הּ וַיִּתֶּן יָ֑ד וַתִּקַּ֣ח הַמְיַלֶּ֗דֶת וַתִּקְשֹׁ֨ר עַל יָד֤וֹ שָׁנִי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר זֶ֖ה יָצָ֥א רִאשֹׁנָֽה
And it came to pass in her giving birth, that one put out a hand; and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, 'This one came out first.'
The scarlet-marked hand seems to establish the firstborn order, but the sign will prove premature.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיְהִ֥יand it came to passQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Narrative frame formula→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to happen'; temporal frame opening the birth reversal scene.
בְלִדְתָּ֖הּin her giving birthprep בְּ + Qal inf cstr + 3fs suf · יָלַד (H3205)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive: temporal — during the birthיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear'; the birth process during which the reversal occurs.
וַיִּתֶּןand put outQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put out'; one child extends a hand before full emergence.
יָ֑דa handN (cb) sg abs · יָד (H3027)Direct objectיָד (H3027) 'hand'; the extending hand that the midwife marks with scarlet.
וַתִּקַּ֣חand tookQal wayyiqtol 3fs · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the midwife acts to mark the apparent firstborn.
הַמְיַלֶּ֗דֶתthe midwifeart + Piel ptc f sg abs · יָלַד (H3205)Subject→ Participial: substantival — the one deliveringיָלַד (H3205) Piel ptc 'midwife'; the professional attendant whose marking creates the problem.
וַתִּקְשֹׁ֨רand tiedQal wayyiqtol 3fs · קָשַׁר (H7194)Predicate verb (consecutive)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָשַׁר (H7194) 'to bind, tie'; the midwife ties the scarlet thread to identify the first.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; marks the hand as the surface on which the thread is tied.
יָד֤וֹhis handN (cb) sg cstr + 3ms suf · יָד (H3027)Object of prepositionיָד (H3027) 'hand'; the hand that appeared first, now marked with scarlet.
שָׁנִי֙scarlet threadN m sg abs · שָׁנִי (H8144)Direct object of וַתִּקְשֹׁרשָׁנִי (H8144) 'scarlet, crimson'; the marking thread that identifies the apparent firstborn.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · אָמַר (H559)Formulaic speech introduction→ Infinitive: formulaic speech-introductionאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the midwife's declaration of priority.
זֶ֖הthis onedemonstrative pronoun m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subjectזֶה (H2088) 'this'; the deictic points to the hand-extending child as the declared firstborn.
יָצָ֥אcame outQal perf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed prior emergenceיָצָא (H3318) 'to come out, go forth'; the declaration of first emergence, soon overturned.
רִאשֹׁנָֽהfirstordinal adj m sg abs (adverbial) · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Adverbial accusative (temporal)רִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first'; ordinal used adverbially — 'came out first,' a premature designation.
29
וַיְהִ֣י כְּמֵשִׁ֣יב יָד֗וֹ וְהִנֵּה֙ יָצָ֣א אָחִ֔יו וַתֹּ֕אמֶר מַה פָּרַ֖צְתָּ עָלֶ֣יךָ פָּ֑רֶץ וַיִּקְרָ֥א שְׁמ֖וֹ פָּֽרֶץ
And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out; and she said, 'What a breach you have breached for yourself!' Therefore his name was called Perez.
The expected order breaks open at the last moment, and Perez receives his name from the startling breach by which he emerges ahead.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיְהִ֣יand it came to passQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Narrative frame formula→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to happen'; frame introducing the reversal at the moment of birth.
כְּמֵשִׁ֣יבas he drew backprep כְּ + Hiphil ptc m sg abs · שׁוּב (H7725)Temporal participial phrase→ Participial: temporal — as he was withdrawingשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil 'to cause to return'; the hand is withdrawn, creating the opening for reversal.
יָד֗וֹhis handN (cb) sg cstr + 3ms suf · יָד (H3027)Object of participial phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; the withdrawal of the marked hand is the precise moment of breach.
וְהִנֵּה֙and beholdconj וְ + attention particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (dramatic)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; marks the surprise of the other child emerging unexpectedly.
יָצָ֣אcame outQal perf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (unexpected)→ Perfective: completed unexpected emergenceיָצָא (H3318) 'to come out'; the other child breaks through ahead of the marked one.
אָחִ֔יוhis brotherN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Subjectאָח (H251) 'brother'; the unmarked brother who breaks out first, becoming Perez.
וַתֹּ֕אמֶרand she saidQal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the midwife's exclamation names the breach.
מַהwhat a breachinterrogative pronoun · מָה (H4100)Exclamatory subjectמָה (H4100) 'what!'; exclamatory use expressing the midwife's astonishment.
פָּרַ֖צְתָּyou have broken throughQal perf 2ms · פָּרַץ (H6555)Predicate verb (exclamation)→ Perfective: completed act of breaking throughפָּרַץ (H6555) 'to break through, breach'; the root that gives Perez his name.
עָלֶ֣יךָupon yourselfprep + 2ms suf · עַל (H5921)Reflexive prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; פָּרַצְתָּ עָלֶיךָ — the breach is against expected order.
פָּ֑רֶץa breachN m sg abs · פֶּרֶץ (H6556)Direct object (cognate accusative)פֶּרֶץ (H6556) 'breach, breaking'; cognate accusative — the name given explains the act.
וַיִּקְרָ֥אand he calledQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (naming)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; the naming that encodes the breach into the child's identity.
שְׁמ֖וֹhis nameN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct objectשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the name encodes the reversal permanently.
פָּֽרֶץPerezproper noun · פֶּרֶץ (H6557)Predicate nominative (name given)פֶּרֶץ (H6557) 'Perez — breach'; ancestor of David (Ruth 4:18–22), named for the unexpected breach.
30
וְאַחַר֙ יָצָ֣א אָחִ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל יָד֖וֹ הַשָּׁנִ֑י וַיִּקְרָ֥א שְׁמ֖וֹ זָֽרַח
And afterward his brother came out, upon whose hand was the scarlet thread; and his name was called Zerah.
The second twin finally emerges with the scarlet marker still upon him, completing the scene in a form that preserves both reversal and remembered sign.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאַחַר֙and afterwardconj וְ + adverb · אַחַר (H310)Temporal adverb (sequential)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; marks the second twin's emergence as following the breach.
יָצָ֣אcame outQal perf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed emergenceיָצָא (H3318) 'to come out'; the scarlet-marked twin emerges after his brother.
אָחִ֔יוhis brotherN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Subjectאָח (H251) 'brother'; the twin originally marked as first, now actually second.
אֲשֶׁ֥רupon whoserelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'who, which'; introduces the relative clause identifying Zerah by his marker.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; the scarlet thread is on his hand.
יָד֖וֹhis handN (cb) sg cstr + 3ms suf · יָד (H3027)Object of prepositionיָד (H3027) 'hand'; the hand on which the scarlet marker was tied in v. 28.
הַשָּׁנִ֑יthe scarlet threadart + N m sg abs · שָׁנִי (H8144)Subject of relative clauseשָׁנִי (H8144) 'scarlet'; the remembered sign that he was designated first but came out last.
וַיִּקְרָ֥אand he calledQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (naming)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; the second naming closes the birth scene.
שְׁמ֖וֹhis nameN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct objectשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the second twin receives his name encoding the scarlet thread.
זָֽרַחZerahproper noun · זֶרַח (H2226)Predicate nominative (name given)זֶרַח (H2226) 'Zerah — rising, shining'; named for the scarlet marker, the twin who came out second.