21 He asked the men who lived there, "Where is the shrine prostitute who was beside the road at Enaim?" "There hasn't been any shrine prostitute here," they said.

Other Translations of Genesis 38:21

King James Version

21 Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was openly openly: or, in Enajim by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place.

English Standard Version

21 And he asked the men of the place, "Where is the cult prostituteHebrew sacred woman; a woman who served a pagan deity by prostitution; also verse 22 who was at Enaim at the roadside?" And they said, "No cult prostitute has been here."

The Message

21 He asked the men of that place, "Where's the prostitute that used to sit by the road here near Enaim?" They said, "There's never been a prostitute here."

New King James Version

21 Then he asked the men of that place, saying, "Where is the harlot who was openly by the roadside?" And they said, "There was no harlot in this place."

New Living Translation

21 So he asked the men who lived there, "Where can I find the shrine prostitute who was sitting beside the road at the entrance to Enaim?" "We've never had a shrine prostitute here," they replied.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 38:21

Chapter Contents

The profligate conduct of Judah and his family.

This chapter gives an account of Judah and his family, and such an account it is, that it seems a wonder that of all Jacob's sons, our Lord should spring out of Judah, John 8:41. What awful examples the Lord proclaims in his punishments, of his utter displeasure at sin! Let us seek grace from God to avoid every appearance of sin. And let that state of humbleness to which Jesus submitted, when he came to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, in appointing such characters as those here recorded, to be his ancestors, endear the Redeemer to our hearts.