Genesis 38:28 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Genesis 38:28, &c. And it came, &c.— This account is given to shew how the right of primogeniture was settled between these twin brothers. This breach against thee, (as it is in the margin of our Bibles,) Houbigant contends should be, that breach against US; he would read, עלינו aleinu, after the Samaritan, instead of עליךֶ aleca. See his note and Bishop Patrick's. Many are the mysteries which the fathers and other writers have drawn from this chapter. However, the sacred historian may well be justified for inserting this history; as, 1st, It affords a strong proof of his impartiality, which suffered him not to dissemble the faults of the great founders of his nation. 2nd, It is a plain proof that the covenant wherewith God honoured the patriarchs was not in reward of their merit. 3rdly, It is a monument very proper to beat down the haughtiness of a nation too proud of having Abraham for their father. And, lastly, To take away all boasting from a carnal birth, Christ descended lineally, as to the flesh, from Judah and Tamar. It is not without good reason, says Calmet, that the Holy Spirit permitted the names of Tamar, Rachah, and Bath-sheba, to be found in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.