The Church Fathers on this verse

Genesis 38:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And she arose and went her way: and putting off the apparel which she had taken, put on the garments of her widowhood.

Douay-Rheims

וַתָּ֣קָם וַתֵּ֔לֶךְ וַתָּ֥סַר צְעִיפָ֖הּ מֵעָלֶ֑יהָ וַתִּלְבַּ֖שׁ בִּגְדֵ֥י אַלְמְנוּתָֽהּ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

3 Church Fathers comment on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

Let us examine how, following Judah's departure, the situation was quickly clarified, with Judah admitting his fault and Tamar exonerating herself. Once she had achieved her goal, she changed her garments once more and returned to her own home.

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

Once everything had been fulfilled, Judas went to the place he originally planned to visit, while she returned to her father's home, filled with hopeful anticipation that she had finally conceived within her womb.

Ambrose of Milan

4th centuryChurch Father

Tamar never engaged with another man after that time, and following their union, she donned the attire of mourning. However, he could not tolerate a brief moment of sorrow. In contrast, he insisted that a young woman maintain her purity for many years; he cast aside his grief, changed his garments, shaved his head, departed from the funeral pyre, and ascended to the embraces of passion.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.