Genesis 38:1-7

1 About that time, Judah separated from his brothers and hooked up with a man in Adullam named Hirah.

2 While there, Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite named Shua. He married her, they went to bed,

3 she became pregnant and had a son named Er.

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.

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.