Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Karl Randolph" <kwrandolph AT email.com>]

David:

You are assuming that ancient Israel’s historians would not write anything 
unless they approved of them, which was the practice of much of the ancient 
Levant. Others take the understanding that those historians were so demanding 
of historical accuracy that they included, warts and all, failings of the 
patriarchs as well as their greatnesses. The second understanding allows 
accurate records to be made without assuming approval of what is condemned 
elsewhere.

If we take the traditional view that all of Tanakh is to be counted as 
context for all other parts, then Malachi 3:6 that says that God doesn’t 
change also includes his condemnation of immorality. In that regard, what 
Judah did with Tamar was wrong. In fact, so wrong that there was no need to 
dwell on it.

Karl W. Randolph.

----- Original Message -----
From: <david.kimbrough AT charter.net>

> While later traditions certainly condemns the ritual prostitutes, in 
> Genesis 38 Judah thinks nothing too much amiss of making use of what he 
> thinks is a road side *kadeshah*, who is, of course, is actually is 
> daughter in law Tamar.  Whenever Genesis 38 was writen, the author (and 
> audiance) obviously did not think using the services of *kadeshah* too 
> taboo or the author would not have had one of the patriarchs doing so.
> 
-- 
_______________________________________________
Talk More, Pay Less with Net2Phone Direct(R), up to 1500 minutes free! 
http://www.net2phone.com/cgi-bin/link.cgi?143