Judah and Tamar: The account of Judah and Tamar is set as an interlude in the Joseph narrative. It adds to the suspense of the Joseph story, as the reader wonders what is going to happen to Joseph. The action takes place in four scenes: the failure of Judah’s sons to have an heir (vv. 1–11), Judah’s relationship with a supposed prostitute (vv. 12–23), Tamar’s vindication (vv. 24–26), and Tamar’s bearing twins (vv. 27–30).

Although this account appears to interrupt the long, closely knit Joseph narrative, several reasons account for its inclusion at this point. First, it further identifies Judah, a central figure in the Joseph narrative. In the preceding chapter he persuaded his brothers to sell Joseph instead of killing him (37:26–27). In the following episodes with Joseph, Judah will emerg…