Contradiction with Leviticus 19:29
Warns against prostitution, contrasting with Judah mistaking Tamar for a harlot.
Leviticus 19:29: Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness. [prostitute: Heb. profane]
Contradiction with Proverbs 23:27
Describes a harlot as a deep pit, contradicting with Judah’s impulse to solicit Tamar.
Proverbs 23:27: For a whore [is] a deep ditch; and a strange woman [is] a narrow pit.
Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 6:18
Advises to flee fornication, unlike Judah’s action in Genesis 38:15.
1 Corinthians 6:18: Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 23:17
Prohibits daughters of Israel from being harlots, in contrast to Judah’s perception of Tamar.
Deuteronomy 23:17: There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. [whore: or, sodomitess]
Contradiction with Proverbs 6:32
States that committing adultery destroys one’s soul, contradicting Judah’s actions.
Proverbs 6:32: [But] whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he [that] doeth it destroyeth his own soul. [understanding: Heb. heart]
Contradiction with 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
Urges sanctification and abstaining from fornication, opposing Judah’s conduct.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5: For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Paradox #1
Genesis 38:15 involves a situation where Judah mistakes Tamar for a prostitute because she was veiled. A contradiction or inconsistency here could involve cultural norms and practices regarding women wearing veils. Historically, veiling customs varied greatly across different societies and periods. In some cultures, wearing a veil might signify modesty or marital status rather than indicating a woman was a prostitute. This discrepancy might appear inconsistent with what we understand about ancient Near Eastern customs, depending on the specific historical and cultural context.
Paradox #2
The contradiction in this scenario might involve judgment based on appearances. Judah misjudges a situation because of how someone looks, which can highlight issues of hasty judgment and misunderstanding intentions or circumstances.