Genesis 38:1-7

1 Now at that time, Judah went away from his brothers and became the friend of a man of Adullam named Hirah.

2 And there he saw the daughter of a certain man of Canaan named Shua, and took her as his wife.

3 And she gave birth to a son, and he gave him the name Er.

4 And again she gave birth to a son, and he gave him the name Onan.

5 Then she had another son, to whom she gave the name Shelah; she was at Chezib when the birth took place.

6 And Judah took a wife for his first son Er, and her name was Tamar.

7 Now Er, Judah's first son, did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so that he put him to death.

Genesis 38:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 38

This chapter is wholly taken up with matters relating to Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, from whom the Jews have their name, and from whom Christ sprung: it treats of his marriage with a Canaanitess, his children by her, their character and end, Ge 38:1-11; of his incest with his daughter-in-law, though unknown by him, Ge 38:12-23; of his resentment against her, when he heard she was with child, and his confusion when he found it was by himself, Ge 38:24-26; and of the birth of twins by her, named Pharez and Zarah, Ge 38:27-30.