Genesis 38:15

When Iudah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot: because she had couered her face.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

When Judah saw her, he thought she {was} a harlot, for she had covered her face.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

When Judah saw her, he thought her to be a harlot; for she had covered her face.
- American Standard Version (1901)

When Judah saw her he took her to be a loose woman of the town, because her face was covered.
- Basic English Bible

And Judah saw her, and took her for a harlot; because she had covered her face.
- Darby Bible

When Judah saw her, he thought her to be a harlot; because she had covered her face.
- Webster's Bible

When Judah saw her, he thought that she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face.
- World English Bible

And Judah seeth her, and reckoneth her for a harlot, for she hath covered her face,
- Youngs Literal Bible

When Judah saw her, he thought her to be a harlot; for she had covered her face.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Wesley's Notes for Genesis 38:15

38:14 Some excuse this by suggesting that she believed the promise made to Abraham and his seed, particularly that of the Messiah, and that she was therefore desirous to have a child by one of that family, that she might have the honour, or at least stand fair for the honour of being the mother of the Messiah. She covered her with a veil - It was the custom of harlots in those times to cover their faces, that tho' they were not ashamed, yet they might seem to be so: the sin of uncleanness did not then go so bare - faced as it now doth.

38:17 A kid from the flock - A goodly price at which her chastity and honour were valued! Had the consideration been thousands of rams, and ten thousand rivers of oil, it had not been a valuable consideration. The favour of God, the purity of the soul, the peace of the conscience, and the hope of heaven: are too precious to be exposed to sale at any such rates. He lost his Jewels by the bargain: He sent the kid according to his promise, to redeem his pawn, but the supposed harlot could not be found. He sent it by his friend, (who was indeed his back - friend, because he was aiding and abetting in his evil deeds) the Adullamite; who came back without the pledge. 'Tis a good account, if it be but true, of any place that which they here gave, that there is no harlot in this place, for such sinners are the scandals and plagues of any place. Judah sits down content to lose his signet and his bracelets, and forbids his friend to make any farther enquiry.