Genesis 38:6

6 Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.

Genesis 38:6 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 38:6

And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn
Chose one for him, and presented her to him for his liking, whom he approving of married: whose name [was] Tamar;
which signifies a "palm tree": the Targum of Jonathan says, she was the daughter of Shem; but it is altogether improbable that a daughter of his should be living at this time, and young enough to bear children: it is much more probable that she was daughter of Levi, Judah's brother, as an Arabic writer F15 asserts; but it is more likely still that she was the daughter of a Canaanite, who was living in the same place, though his name is not mentioned, ( Genesis 38:11 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F15 Abulpharag. Hist. Dynast. p. 16.

Genesis 38:6 In-Context

4 She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan.
5 And she conceived yet again and bore a son, and called his name Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him.
6 Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
7 But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord killed him.
8 And Judah said to Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother."
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.