Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 38:11. It's a really important passage about a tricky situation in the story of Abraham and his family. Here’s what it means in plain language: The Basic Story: Abraham and Sarah Had a Son: Before he could have a son with Sarah, God made a deal with Abraham. He promised to produce a man named Esau (later renamed Jacob) as a substitute for Isaac, who died before having a child. Esau's Rebellion: Esau, jealous of his birthright, rebelled against his father and tricked him into marrying another woman. This caused a great deal of trouble and ultimately led to the death of Isaac. God’s Plan: God saw this as a difficult situation and decided to make it easier for Abraham. He made Esau a servant in the family, and then, very deliberately , he chose Tamar – one of Jacob's older sisters – to be his wife. What This Verse Says (in simpler terms): “Then Judah said 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.’” Judah is talking to Tamar: This verse focuses on Tamar. Shelah = Jacob: “Shelah” is a nickname for Jacob (later renamed Israel). “Till Shelah my son be grown…” – This is the key part. It means "until Jacob grows up." It’s saying that Tamar must remain a widow until Jacob reaches a certain age. "...as his brethren [did]” - This refers to Esau and his family. They were tricked into making this arrangement. God is showing that this situation is a result of the deceitfulness of Esau. “And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.” – Tamar, feeling trapped and obligated, chose to stay with her father, meaning she became a widow. The Significance & What it Means: This verse highlights several important themes: God's Control: It shows God is actively involved in our lives and has a plan, even when things seem unfair or difficult. Duty and Obligation: Tamar’s situation reveals a deep sense of duty and obligation – she felt compelled to obey her father’s wishes, despite not wanting to be one. The Power of Deception: It also suggests that deceit can have serious consequences, leading to hardship for those who participate in it. In short, this verse tells us about a difficult situation where Tamar is forced into a widow state, and God uses it as a way to control a family's fate. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this passage to other stories or Bible chapters? Give you some context about the story of Jacob and Esau?