Genesis 38:6

6 Judah got a wife for Er, his firstborn. 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 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 Abulpharag. Hist. Dynast. p. 16.

Genesis 38:6 In-Context

4 She got pregnant again and had a son named Onan.

5 She had still another son; she named this one Shelah. They were living at Kezib when she had him.

6 Judah got a wife for Er, his firstborn. Her name was Tamar.

7 But Judah's firstborn, Er, grievously offended God and God took his life.

8 So Judah told Onan, "Go and sleep with your brother's widow; it's the duty of a brother-in-law to keep your brother's line alive."