Curiosity Aroused By Genesis Chapter 38
Posted: Tuesday, November 18, 2008
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
Many times, adult bible class teachers like to teach through the bible, verse by verse. That is not a bad method of teaching provided one branches off to related scriptures as they move through. It is usually a long a slow journey if one goes completely through the book. But I have sat in classes taught by others and I have taught classes in this manner. So, it is a given that I've been in many classes covering the book of Genesis. In order for the reader to see what the subject of our article means, I advise, and urge, everyone to read the 37 th chapter of Genesis, then read the 39 th chapter. You will see the story of Joseph begins in the 37 th chapter and continues on smoothly in the 39 th . Then go back and read chapter 38. It reflects nothing concerning the life of Joseph. My Bible is a large print and it still only takes five pages for the three chapters. It won't take you long so do it now. You do need to read these chapters now or the article will be somewhat meaningless.
One day, I was simply meditating upon the lineage of Jesus and I thought about the fact that He and David were from the tribe of Judah. God slew the first two sons of Judah, Er and Onan, and the third, Shelah, was too young for marriage and any further mention of him is remote and possibly another person named Shelah. So I began to wonder just how the lineage of Christ came about through Judah. So I went to Matthew one. Although the names are spelled slightly different from the Greek than the Aramaic, you will find in the third verse that Judas (Judah) begat Phares and Zara of Thamar (Tamar) and Phares begat Esrom, and so on. And I recalled reading of Phares as the son of Tamar by her father-in-law, Judah. It was then that I understood the reason for the story and also even the reason it was wedged into the story of Joseph.
The reason for the chapter being wedged in here apparently was simply that it was occurring about the time Joseph was being sold into Egypt. Since it is a limited writing, it would not have had place elsewhere any more fitting. But the reason it was added to the scripture at all, was to assure the lineage of Jesus was shown.
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Two Identical Chapters Found In The Bible
Seeing as how that article only consumed about 475 words, I'll include another short oddity. Actually, these two chapters are not completely identical but for the most part they are. 2 Kings chapter 19 as compared to Isaiah chapter 37. I have never compared each and every verse but you can find at least one place where they differ. If you go to the end of the chapters you will find that 2 Kings 19 has 37 verses while the Isaiah 37 has 38 verses. Now, if you will refer back to the 15 th verse, you will find it is divided into 2 verses in the Isaiah account. You will also find a slight difference in the wording here also.
Where chapters and verses are separated is not a difference insofar as the Holy Spirit's guidance of the writers. None of the Bible was divided into chapters and verses when written. The dividing into chapters and verses is a long and confusing story since these dividing points were changed a number of times. However, the numerical chapters and verses we now have is credited to one Robert Stephens in 1551 through 1555. This man did a very good job even though far from perfect. He, of course was not inspired and there are some chapter divisions which obviously are in the wrong spot. But they serve their purpose well. Can you imagine trying to find something in the Bible without divisions of chapters and verses?
Now, many ask why would two writers , write a chapter this near identical. Some skeptics state that one copied the other and first one thing or another. But the answer is simple, they were both guided by the Holy Spirit and God simply wanted this message recorded for two separate groups of people. The fact that it does differ the amount that it does, shows that it was not attempted to be copied verbatim.
2 Timothy 2:15 exhorts us to: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Heed that verse. That is not Joel's advice, that is a directive by the Apostle Paul. May God guide us as we study.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Thanks for the tips Joel! I will study these things tonight, and return when I can understand what these things mean.One thing that I surely understand right off the bat, is how we should look to other passages for further clarification. I think it is so amazing how the Bible does this over and over again, and it is like how I once told Teresa, it is like solving a great puzzle.And it really is a lot of fun! It works to deepen our faith as well!One thing that I find truly amazing when reading the Bible ( and especially as a writer ) is this distinct singular voice it has. So many different writers could not mimic each others voice like that. So, to me, this is proof that they speak as One.Absolutely, Jennifer. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Ok, so now that I have read these chapters, I can respond. I think these are certainly oddities in the Bible. These might be too advanced for me because I am so newly Born, but I will give it a shot.1. I like the order in which you suggested to read these Chapters. First, by reading Chapter 38 - which is strange and very much about sex. Secondly, by reading Chapter 37, I recognize just how odd 38 is, and how it does not seem to fit, and I wondered why it was included. Lastly, when I read Chapter 39, I think it is curious that there is emphasis on the sin of incest that seems to be taken so lightly in 38. And then I realize even more how odd it is that 38 was ever included! I can't say that I honestly understand this, but all I can say is what a strange world that they did live in in ancient times.2. As for the identical chapters in Kings and Isaiah, I can only imagine that Isaiah repeated the story in Kings because it had involved him. But why they are identical is a mystery. But there must be something off, since Kings 19 has only 37 verses, whereas Isaiah has 38. And as you said Chapter 15 is divided in Isaiah. Stranger still that in that verse, the word between should be in Italics, ( or atleast it is in the King James Version)but I think these things are over my head at this point. I am very literally a newborn!Jennifer :)
Oh wait! No, not incest. 38 is about having sex with a man's dead son's wife, and 39 is about having sex with another man's wife ( or adultry).Way to go Jennifer, keep studying, the facts are hard to iron out sometimes but usually can be done. It wouldn't hurt to re-read my article, especially why I feel the chapter is there.
Thanks, Joel, I had never noticed the similarities between 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37. If they were closer together, I probably would have noticed. I knew 1st and 2nd Chronicles was basically a rehash of 1st and 2nd Samuel and 1st and 2nd Kings. But I didn't think to look for a parallel in Isaiah. :-)Speaking of similarities, you've probably noticed that many of the things Jesus said while he was on the cross were quotes from the Psalms. Also, the beginning of the book of Acts seems to parallel the ending of at least one of the Gospels.Hi Terry, thanks for the comment. Yes, actually many of the Psalms were prophetic, and quite a few were concerning the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. And some so specific as to be impossible to have been coincidence.Really? Wow! I can't wait to study those then..:)
One would say that poroved the intervention of God since many scholars say the Old testament was re-written in Babylon. Good job.Hi Robert,Thanks for commenting, I appreciate it.
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