Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 38:24

24 And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot, and also behold, she is with child by whoredom: and Judah said, Bring her forth , and let her be burnt .

To the Magistrate, from whom she may receive her sentence and deserved punishment. Iudah had not the power of Life and Death, at least not over her who was a Canaanite, and who was not in his, but in her own fathers house. But he being a person of great estate and authority, and as it seems, of obliging conversation, could do very much to perswade those who then had the power of the Sword either to draw it forth at least in a just cause on his behalf, or to sheath it upon his desire and satisfaction.

As guilty of Adultery, which was punished with death by the laws of God, Deut. 22. 23, 24. and of Nations too, Ier. 29. 22, 23. He chargeth her with adultery, because she was betrothed to Shelah: See Deut. 22. 23. This eagerness of Iudah proceeded not from zeal of Justice, for then he would not have indeavoured to destroy the innocent child with the guilty mother, against Gods law, Deut. 24. 16. Ezek. 18. 20 but from worldly policy, that he might take her out of the way which he esteemed a burden and a blot to his family.