Discovery BoxGenesis 38:11 
Context38:11 Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until Shelah my son grows up.” For he thought, 1 “I don’t want him to die like his brothers.” 2 So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.
Genesis 38:24
Context38:24 After three months Judah was told, 3 “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has turned to prostitution, 4 and as a result she has become pregnant.” 5 Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned!”
1 tn Heb “said.”
2 tn Heb “Otherwise he will die, also he, like his brothers.”
sn I don’t want him to die like his brothers. This clause explains that Judah had no intention of giving Shelah to Tamar for the purpose of the levirate marriage. Judah apparently knew the nature of his sons, and feared that God would be angry with the third son and kill him as well.
3 tn Heb “it was told to Judah, saying.”
4 tn Or “has been sexually promiscuous.” The verb may refer here to loose or promiscuous activity, not necessarily prostitution.
5 tn Heb “and also look, she is with child by prostitution.”
