Genesis 38:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Upon learning of her mother-in-law's passing and that Judah had gone to Tamnah to shear sheep, Tamar chose to deceive her father-in-law in order to share his bed and conceive children by him. This act was not driven by mere lust but stemmed from a desire to ensure her legacy, as she did not want to be left nameless, without descendants. Yet, within this situation lay divine providence, which allowed her intentions to come to fruition. It is noted that she removed her widow's garments, veiled herself, and concealed her identity, sitting at the city gate. The sacred text adds, “For she saw that Shelah had grown up, and she was not given to him to be his wife," indicating her motivation behind this ruse.

After a significant period had elapsed, Tamar grew increasingly restless in her anticipation of marriage. She came to understand that her father-in-law had no intention of honoring his promise to her. Instead, he was merely providing her with false hope through continued delays. What scheme does she devise to eventually realize her aspirations?

As Silom matured and Judah still did not return Tamar to her home, she began to contemplate, "How can I help the Hebrews comprehend that I do not wish for marriage, but rather seek the blessing concealed within them? By declining to wed Silom, I can demonstrate my commitment to abstinence. However, by uniting with him, my faith would remain unexpressed. Would it not be preferable for me to take Judah himself as my spouse?

The Hebrew term enaim (עֵינַ֔יִם) is rendered as 'eyes.' Therefore, it does not refer to a specific location. Instead, it signifies a position at a crossroads, a point where a traveler must pay closer attention to the choice of path to pursue next.

Initially, it is essential to recognize that, upon examining the context of these events, she is not a woman of questionable reputation but rather a virtuous individual. Her desire was not for fleeting gratification but for the blessing of motherhood. In her time, being childless was viewed as shameful and was even subject to legal penalties. Judah had pledged his son to marry her but postponed the wedding. During this time of delay, the groom passed away. The values of virginity and widowhood did not thrive before the arrival of Christ. Grieving her childlessness, she resolved to act wisely to achieve motherhood and entangled Judah in her design, confronting him at a time of his vulnerability after learning of his wife's passing.

At the entrance to Enaim, it's possible this refers to the same location as Enam (Num. 15:34). It is noteworthy that all the sites mentioned in the experiences of Judah eventually became the inheritance of his descendants. Although she recognized that Shelah had matured, he was not provided to her as a husband. In these statements, Moses does not entirely vindicate Tamar; instead, he clarifies her initial intentions, acknowledging the difficulty she faced in predicting the outcome. While it may have concerned Shelah, the unexpected encounter with Judah transformed the situation, prompting her to seize the chance to return to his household.