Genesis 38:21
French (La Sainte Bible par Louis Segond 1910)
Il interrogea les gens du lieu, en disant: Où est cette prostituée qui se tenait à Enaïm, sur le chemin? Ils répondirent: Il n'y a point eu ici de prostituée.
What Does This Mean?
In Genesis 38:21, Judah is trying to find a woman he had an encounter with before. He asks the locals where she is, but they tell him there was no such person in their town. The verse highlights the truth and the absence of the woman Judah was looking for.
Explained for Children
Imagine you had a playdate with a friend in a park, and later you couldn't find that friend again. You ask others if they saw your friend, but they say no one like that was there. That's kind of what's happening here, but with grown-ups.
Historical Background
This verse is from the Book of Genesis, written by Moses around 1446-1406 BCE. It's part of the larger story about Judah and his encounter with Tamar. The setting is during the patriarchal period in ancient Near Eastern culture, where such encounters were not uncommon.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this verse can remind us to be honest and truthful, even when it's inconvenient. Like if you accidentally borrowed a friend's book and can't find it, admitting you don't know where it is is better than making up a story.
Topics
truthhonestyencountersidentityreputationtrust
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Judah asking the locals?
Judah is trying to locate a woman he had an encounter with previously. This shows his desire to fulfill a promise he made to her, even though it was an encounter based on deception.
How does this verse illustrate truth?
The locals truthfully tell Judah that there was no prostitute in their town, highlighting the importance of honesty and the consequences of deception.
What does this verse teach about reputation?
It teaches that a person's reputation can be affected by their actions. Judah's reputation is at risk due to his past actions and his current quest to locate the woman.
How does this story relate to the concept of honesty?
This story emphasizes the importance of honesty in both actions and words. The locals' honest response contrasts with Judah's previous deception, teaching a lesson about integrity.