Notes in Genesis Chapter 38

Genesis 38:2 - And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.

"And he took her" in marriage, see v. 12.  Married a Canaanite and "it is not surprising that the family which sprang from such an unsuitable connection should be infamous for bold and unblushing wickedness." (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown).

Shuah the name of her father, the "certain Canaanite", not her name, see v. 12.

Genesis 38:8 - And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.

Custom called "Levirate marriage" incorporated into the Law, Deut. 25:5.

Note at Genesis 38:12-18 - Grieving death of wife by finding a harlot.  How sad.

Genesis 38:24 - "...And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt."

The whoremonger condeming the whore: John 8:3-5.  Do as I say, not as I do.  Holding higher standards for others than self:  Matthew 7:1-2; Romans 2:1-4; Romans 2:21-24.

Genesis 38:28 - And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.

She did not expect the other to break through.  This was simply so they could later identify the important firstborn if the twins were identical.  Midwife, knowing it was twins, was already prepared with scarlet thread in hand.

VM