Genesis 38:16

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 38:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Come, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee: for he knew not that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Come, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee: for he knew not that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?
Genesis 38:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 38

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Come, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee: for he knew not that she was his daughter-in-law. And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he turned unto her by the way, etc.] Which led to her; he turned out of the way in which he was to that where she sat; and very probably it was at some little distance from the way, and therefore he turned aside to it, his lust towards her being excited at the sight of her; perhaps he left his friend Hirah the Adullamite, and sent him on his way, while he committed the following crime: and said, go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; that is, lie with her: for he knew not that she [was] his daughter in law; or otherwise, it is suggested by the historian, he would not have offered such a thing to her; but though this may excuse him from wilful incest, yet not from fornication; for…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- The Family of Judah 1. עדלם ‛ǎdûllâm, ‘Adullam, “righteousness.” חירה chı̂yrâh Chirah, “nobility?” 2. שׁוּע shûa‛, Shua‘, “luck, riches, cry.” 3. ער ‛êr, ‘Er, “watching.” 4. אונן 'ônân, Onan, “strong.” 5. שׁלה shēlâh, Shelah, “request? rest.” כזיב kezı̂yb Kezib, “falsehood.” 6. תמר tāmār, Tamar, “palm.” 12. תמנה tı̂mnâh, Timnah, “counted or assigned.” 14. עינים 'êynayı̂m, ‘Enaim, “two fountains.” 29. פרץ perets, Perets, “breach.” This strange narrative is an episode in the history of Joseph; but an integral part of the “generations” of Jacob. It is loosely dated with the phrase “at that time.” This does not indicate a sequel to the preceding record, the proper phrase for…”
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Sources and verification