Genesis 38:18

38:18 He said, “What pledge should I give you?” She replied, “Your seal, your cord, and the staff that’s in your hand.” So he gave them to her and had sex with her. 1  She became pregnant by him.

Genesis 38:20

38:20 Then Judah had his friend Hirah 2  the Adullamite take a young goat to get back from the woman the items he had given in pledge, 3  but Hirah 4  could not find her.

Genesis 43:9

43:9 I myself pledge security 5  for him; you may hold me liable. If I do not bring him back to you and place him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life. 6 

1 tn Heb “and he went to her.” This expression is a euphemism for sexual intercourse.

2 tn Heb “sent by the hand of his friend.” Here the name of the friend (“Hirah”) has been included in the translation for clarity.

3 tn Heb “to receive the pledge from the woman’s hand.”

4 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Judah’s friend Hirah the Adullamite) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

5 tn The pronoun before the first person verbal form draws attention to the subject and emphasizes Judah’s willingness to be personally responsible for the boy.

6 sn I will bear the blame before you all my life. It is not clear how this would work out if Benjamin did not come back. But Judah is offering his life for Benjamin’s if Benjamin does not return.