Thy signet, and thy bracelets, &c.— By the signet is meant the ring wherewith he sealed. The word rendered bracelets signifies wreaths for the arm or neck, twisted collars, or bracelets. So the Latin torques, from torqueo, to twist. Aquila and Symmachus, who render it by στρεπτον from στρεφω, to turn or twist, preserve the idea. See Parkhurst's Lexicon.
REFLECTIONS.—They who have not the gift of continence should marry. We have here a shocking instance of the danger of fleshly lusts.
1. Tamar's wicked policy to ensnare either the father or the son. She had been kept in expectation of Shelah, but he was not given to her; therefore, on a day of festivity, when Judah's heart was open with wine and feasting on his shearing-day, she exposed herself as a harlot in an open place, and too grievously succeeded. Strange to think! From such a woman Jesus descends! Surely it was to shew that the vilest need not despair.
2. Judah's infamous lewdness: though ignorant of the incest, yet vile enough to turn in thus to one whom he supposed to be a common strumpet; such lessons he had learnt from his bad friend Hirah. He makes a scandalous purchase of these stolen pleasures, and with equal folly pledges his jewels for the payment. Note; (1.) They who buy a momentary enjoyment of their lusts, by everlasting torments in hell will be found to have made a foolish bargain indeed. (2.) When men are violently set on the gratification of their passions, they act as if infatuated, and expose themselves to every reproach.
3. His disappointment on sending the promised kid. The harlot is gone and his jewels lost. However, he desists from farther inquiry, lest his own shame should come out. Note; (1.) Most men are more concerned about their shame than their sin; lest we be ashamed, weighs more with them than lest we be damned: (2.) The day will come, however, when their folly shall be manifest unto all men, and everlasting shame shall cover the face of the lascivious.