People Of the Old Testament

Judah and Tamar - Study One

Jacob had two wives who were sisters. He loved Rachel more than Leah, but Rachel was unable to have children for many years. When she did give birth, her first son Joseph was especially precious to Jacob. Rachel died giving birth to her second son, Benjamin.

Jacob had 12 sons in all, Leah had 6, Rachel had 2 and his wives' maidservants Zilpah and Bilhah each had 2 sons.

Joseph made himself unpopular with his 10 older brothers by getting them into trouble (Genesis 37:2) and by telling them of his dreams that he would be powerful and they would bow down to him one day. They were jealous of his special place in their father's heart.

This study is about Leah's son, Judah.

Read Genesis 37:12-36

1. What was Judah's involvement in his brother Joseph's disappearance?

Read Genesis 38: 1-11

2. Why might Judah have moved away from his family and married a Canaanite?

3. What was the custom regarding a man who dies without an heir? (see Deuteronomy 25:5-6)

4. Why did Tamar's husbands Er and Onan die?

5. What was Judah's responsibility to Tamar and to his own family?

6. What was Tamar's impossible position at the end of verse 11? Can she remarry?

7. List Judah's sins. Who has been hurt by them?

Read Hebrews 3:12-14.

8. Why is sin so detestable to God?

Judah and Tamar - Study Two

At the beginning of this passage Judah has only one son left (Shelah) and Tamar is betrothed to him. Judah wants to have his family grow, but is worried about losing Shelah. Tamar has committed to expanding Judah's family but has been sent home to her father in disgrace to live as a widow.

Read Genesis 38:12-30

1. What prompts Tamar to take action in v12-14? What does she do?

2. How did Judah react to the news of Tamar's pregnancy?

3. What is Judah's confession when the truth is revealed?

4. Tamar tricks Judah into making her the mother of his heirs. How were Tamar's actions "righteous"?

Read Genesis 44:30-34

5. Judah begs for Benjamin's life before the man he does not recognise as his brother Joseph. How has Judah changed? Who is he concerned for now?

Read Genesis 49: 8-12

6. How is Judah blessed by his father, Jacob?

Read Matthew 1:1-3

7. How are Tamar and Judah remembered in the New Testament? How does this fulfil Jacob's blessing?

Read Proverbs 28:13

8. What can we learn from Tamar and Judah?