What do you think is the purpose of the story of Judah and Tamar? I am studying out Joseph in Genesis 37-50, because his life speaks to mine (going through hardships and suffering without it necessarily being his fault). Then, in the midst of it all, comes the story of Judah and Tamar. I do not believe that it was just "thrown" there; I believe everything is in the Bible for a reason. Is it exposing Judah's heart as selfish and not caring? Or do you think it has a deeper meaning? -- Ronna
Yes, chapter 38 does initially seem to interrupt the flow of the Joseph cycle (Genesis 37-50). What are we to make of this? I think you are right: this chapter is here for a reason. Those scholars who say it is a later addition or interpolation are not right. In studying to answer your question, I found a great explanation. The following excerpt is from one of the finest OT commentary series available, The Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 2 (Genesis 16-50), pp. 363-364, by Gordon Wenham:
At first blush, chap. 38 seems to have nothing to do with the Joseph story. If it were omitted, the narrative would progress from 37:36 to 39:1 very smoothly. It does not appear to be necessary for understanding chaps. 39-50.
Further considerations show that this episode of Judah and Tamar makes an important contribution to understanding the Joseph story. First, its positioning here creates suspense: having told us that Joseph has been sold to Potiphar, the narrator breaks off with this digression about his brother back in Canaan, leaving us wondering how Joseph is coping in a foreign land. Chap. 38 also serves to shows that Joseph was separated from his family a long time; there is time for Judah to marry, for his sons to grow up, and for them to marry.
But it does more. As Humphreys (Joseph and His Family, 37) notes: "The unit provides a counterpointing commentary on what we have witnessed of this family and a proleptic look at what is yet to come. The effect for the sensitive reader is to bring to awareness certain critical dimensions and themes in the larger novella (= the Joseph story), thereby to shape perspectives for reading what is to come."
The most obvious parallel between the stories of Tamar and Joseph is found in 38:25-26, "Please identify who owns this ring"; Judah identified them... -- which precisely echoes 37:32-33. ''Please identify whether it is your son's tunic or not." He identified it.... Just as in the episode of Joseph's tunic, an element of divine justice is apparent. Jacob had deceived his father Isaac. He in turn was deceived by his son Judah, and now Judah himself is deceived by his daughter-in-law. In all three episodes, goats and items of dress are used in the deception.
Several other striking parallels and contrasts are then noted.
If scholars had taken more seriously the editor's title in 37:2, "This is the family history of Jacob," they might not have been so wont as to write off this chapter as irrelevant. Chaps. 37-50 are not just story of Joseph but the story of Jacob's family. Therefore, to have sections entirely devoted to other sons of Jacob should not be surprising.
If this excerpt is intriguing, why not check the book our of your local theological university library? I am convinced that there is very little that is haphazard about the structure and compilation of the books of the Bible. The deeper we go, the more we stand in awe!
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