Genesis 46:12

12 And the sons of Judas; Er, and Aunan, and Selom, and Phares, and Zara: and Er and Aunan died in the land of Chanaan.

Genesis 46:12 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 46:12

And the sons of Judah, Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez,
and Zarah
Five of them: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan;
and so did not go with Jacob into Egypt; and which is observed that they might not be reckoned among them, though it was proper to take notice of them in the genealogy: and the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul;
some think that these could not be born in Canaan, but in Egypt; and that they are mentioned among those that went down to Egypt, because they went there in the loins of their father, and to supply the places of Er and Onan, who died before, and have the honour to be here named, because they might be the first of Jacob's great grandchildren born there; though others suppose that Pharez was at this time fourteen years of age, and instances are given of some, who before that age have been fathers of children; the difficulty is not easily solved: the Targum of Jonathan expressly says,

``Shelah and Zarah did not beget children in Canaan, but there were two sons of Pharez who went down into Egypt, Hezron and Hamul.''

Genesis 46:12 In-Context

10 and the sons of Symeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Aod, and Achin, and Saar, and Saul, the son of a Chananitish woman.
11 And the sons of Levi; Gerson, Cath, and Merari.
12 And the sons of Judas; Er, and Aunan, and Selom, and Phares, and Zara: and Er and Aunan died in the land of Chanaan.
13 And the sons of Phares Esron, and Jemuel. And the sons of Issachar; Thola, and Phua, and Asum, and Sambran.
14 And the sons of Zabulun, Sered, and Allon, and Achoel.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.