Genesis 38:22

38:22 So he returned to Judah and said, “I couldn’t find her. Moreover, the men of the place said, ‘There has been no cult prostitute here.’”

Genesis 43:3

43:3 But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’

Genesis 44:14

44:14 So Judah and his brothers came back to Joseph’s house. He was still there, and they threw themselves to the ground before him.

Genesis 46:12

46:12 The sons of Judah:

Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah

(but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan).

The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.

Genesis 49:8

49:8 Judah, your brothers will praise you.

Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies,

your father’s sons will bow down before you.


tn The infinitive absolute with the finite verb stresses the point. The primary meaning of the verb is “to witness; to testify.” It alludes to Joseph’s oath, which was tantamount to a threat or warning.

tn The idiom “see my face” means “have an audience with me.”

sn Judah and his brothers. The narrative is already beginning to bring Judah to the forefront.

tn The disjunctive clause here provides supplemental information.

sn There is a wordplay here; the name Judah (יְהוּדָה, yÿhudah) sounds in Hebrew like the verb translated praise (יוֹדוּךָ, yodukha). The wordplay serves to draw attention to the statement as having special significance.