24. Bring her forth, and let her be burnt--In patriarchal times fathers seem to have possessed the power of life and death over the members of their families. The crime of adultery was anciently punished in many places by burning (Le 21:9; Jud 15:6; Jer 29:22). This chapter contains details, which probably would never have obtained a place in the inspired record, had it not been to exhibit the full links of the chain that connects the genealogy of the Saviour with Abraham; and in the disreputable character of the ancestry who figure in this passage, we have a remarkable proof that "He made himself of no reputation" [Php 2:7].
JFB.
Outline
1 Judah begets Er, Onan and Shelah
6 Er marries Tamar
8 The trespass of Onan
11 Tamar waits for Shelah
13 Tamar deceives Judah
27 Tamar bears twins, Pharez and Zarah.
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