‘When Judah saw her he thought her to be a prostitute for she had covered her face.'
Here the common word for prostitute is used (zonot) but in Genesis 38:21 the word is kedesha, a ‘holy one', one dedicated to the service of a goddess. It is possible that he had realised the difference while in the act of intercourse, or it may be that in cases like these either word could be used. Both are used in Hosea 4:14.
‘And he turned unto her by the way, and said, “Go to, I beg you, let me come in unto you.” For he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law.'
It is typical of the hypocrisy of men that Judah has no compunction about going in to a prostitute while he would himself condemn the woman for her act. It was quite probably normal behaviour for him. He did not mind taking advantage of ‘pious' Canaanite women. But this time his sin will catch him out.
‘And she said, “What will you give me that you may come in to me?” '
The sacred prostitute was normally paid for her services so that this would come as no surprise to him.