Genesis 38 · a question people ask
Why does Judah say Tamar is "more righteous" than he is?
He gives the reason himself: "because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son" (38:26). He had told her to remain a widow until Shelah was grown (38:11), and Genesis says she "saw that Shelah was grown up, and she wasn’t given to him as a wife" (38:14). The chapter doesn't comment further on what Tamar did.
The verses
“Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, until Shelah, my son, is grown up;” for he said, “Lest he also die, like his brothers.” Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.”
“She took off the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she wasn’t given to him as a wife.”
“Judah acknowledged them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son.” He knew her again no more.”