Genesis 38:26
And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.
Cross-references
Genesis 38:14 reveals why Tamar acted — Judah withheld Shelah, leading to his later admission that she was more righteous.
Genesis 38:18 records the seal, cord, and staff Judah gave as pledge — the items he recognizes here, confirming Tamar's account.
In Genesis 37:33, Jacob mistakenly identifies Joseph's coat — Judah in Genesis 38:26 correctly identifies his own guilt, contrasting false and true recognition.
In 1 Samuel 24:17, David tells Saul 'You are more righteous than I' — the same phrase Judah uses to Tamar, acknowledging moral superiority.
Ezekiel 16:52 echoes Judah's 'more righteous than I' exactly — using the same comparative righteousness to shame Jerusalem.
Luke 20:28 describes the levirate marriage law — the very obligation Judah failed to fulfill by not giving Shelah to Tamar.
Leviticus 18:15 forbids sex with a daughter-in-law — the very act Judah committed with Tamar, though he later calls her righteous.
Numbers 26:20 lists the clans of Perez and Zerah — the children born from the event Judah is acknowledging here.