Genesis 38:11

Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.

Cross-references

Genesis 38:14 Historical context

Genesis 38:14 shows Tamar acting because Shelah is grown but not given to her — the direct result of Judah's delay.

Genesis 38:5 Historical context

Genesis 38:5 records the birth of Shelah, the son Judah tells Tamar to wait for in the main verse.

Ruth 1:11 Parallel

In Ruth 1:11, Naomi echoes Judah's instruction — telling her widowed daughters-in-law to return home for lack of future sons to marry.

Ruth 1:13 Parallel

Ruth 1:13 parallels the futile waiting for a younger son to grow up, just as Tamar is told to wait for Shelah.

Matthew 1:3 Citation

Matthew 1:3 includes Tamar in Jesus' genealogy, highlighting the lasting significance of this lineage despite irregular events.

Matthew 22:24 quotes the levirate marriage law that underlies Tamar's claim to Shelah — the brother's duty to raise offspring.

Luke 20:28 Parallel

Luke 20:28 cites the levirate marriage law that underlies Judah's command for Tamar to wait for Shelah.

Numbers 26:20 Historical context

Numbers 26:20 lists Shelah's clan, confirming he grew up and had descendants — contrary to Judah's fear that he might die.