“And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.”
Moses describeth the genealogy of Judah, because the Messiah should come of him.
“And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.”
Which affinity notwithstanding was condemned of God. Cross references: : 1 Chron. 2:3
“And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.”
This order was for the preservation of the stock, that the child begotten by the second brother should have the name and inheritance of the first: which is in the new Testament abolished.
“Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.”
For she could not marry in any other family so long as Judah would retain her in his.
“And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. an open: Heb. the door of eyes, or, of Enajim”
Or, in the door of the fountain, or, where were two ways.
“And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?”
God had wonderfully blinded him that he could not know her by her talk.
“And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand: but he found her not.”
That his wickedness might not be known to others.
“And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her. be shamed: Heb. become a contempt”
He feareth man more than God. Hebrew, in contempt .
“And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.”
We see that the Law, which was written in man’s heart, taught them that whoredom should be punished with death: albeit no law, as yet was given.
“And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.”
For the horror of the sin condemned him. That is, she ought rather to accuse me than I her.
“And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez. How hast: or, Wherefore hast thou made this breach against thee? Pharez: that is A breach”
1 Chron. 2:4 ; Matt. 1:3 Their heinous sin was signified by this monstrous birth. Or the separation between thee and thy brother.