CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 38:3 So she conceived and gave birth to a son, and Judah named him Er.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/38-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/01_Gen_38_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 38:3 - Judah and Tamar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So she conceived and gave birth to a son, and Judah named him Er." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/38-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/38-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/38.htm">Chapter 38</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/38-2.htm" title="Genesis 38:2">◄</a> Genesis 38:3 <a href="/genesis/38-4.htm" title="Genesis 38:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/38.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, who was named Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/38.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, and he named the boy Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/38.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So she conceived and gave birth to a son, and Judah named him Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/38.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/38.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And she conceived and gave birth to a son, and he named him Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So she conceived and bore a son and he named him Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So she conceived and bore a son and he named him Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So she conceived and bore a son, and he named him Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So she conceived and gave birth to a son and Judah named him Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />She conceived and gave birth to a son, and he named him Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />She conceived and gave birth to a son, and he named him Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/38.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and they had three sons. He named the first one Er; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/38.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />She became pregnant and gave birth to a son named Er. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/38.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and she bore him a son, whom he named Er. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/38.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />and she conceived, bore a son, and named him Er. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So she conceived and gave birth to a son, and Judah named him Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/38.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />She became pregnant and had a son. Judah named him Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />She conceived and gave birth to a son, and he named him Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And she conceived, and bore a son; and he called his name Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/38.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />She conceived, and bore a son; and he named him Er. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And she conceives, and bears a son, and he calls his name Er;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And she conceiveth, and beareth a son, and he calleth his name Er;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And she will conceive and bring forth a son, and he will call his name Er.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And she conceived, and bore a son, and called his name Her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And she conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/38.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />She conceived and bore a son, whom she named Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />She conceived and bore a son; and he named him Er.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And she conceived, and bore a son; and he called his name Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And she conceived and she bore to him a son, and he called his name Eyr.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And she conceived, and bore a son; and he called his name Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And she conceived and bore a son, and called his name, Er.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/38-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=9643" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">Judah and Tamar</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua, and he took her as a wife and slept with her. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2029.htm" title="2029: wat·ta·har (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To conceive, become pregnant. A primitive root; to be pregnant, conceive.">So she conceived</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: wat·tê·leḏ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">and gave birth to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bên (N-ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">a son,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">and Judah named</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šə·mōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/6147.htm" title="6147: ‘êr (N-proper-ms) -- Two men of Judah. From uwr; watchful; Er, the name of two Israelites.">Er.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Onan.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-3.htm">Matthew 1:3</a></span><br />Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/4-12.htm">Ruth 4:12</a></span><br />And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/2-4.htm">1 Chronicles 2:4</a></span><br />Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/26-19.htm">Numbers 26:19</a></span><br />The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but they died in the land of Canaan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-6</a></span><br />When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-24.htm">Matthew 22:24</a></span><br />“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-19.htm">Mark 12:19</a></span><br />“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-28.htm">Luke 20:28</a></span><br />“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-12.htm">Genesis 46:12</a></span><br />The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/4-21.htm">1 Chronicles 4:21</a></span><br />The sons of Shelah son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah and the clans of the linen workers at Beth-ashbea,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/9-4.htm">1 Chronicles 9:4</a></span><br />Uthai son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, a descendant of Perez son of Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-21.htm">1 Samuel 24:21</a></span><br />So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/14-7.htm">2 Samuel 14:7</a></span><br />Now the whole clan has risen up against your maidservant and said, ‘Hand over the one who struck down his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of the brother whom he killed. Then we will cut off the heir as well!’ So they would extinguish my one remaining ember by not preserving my husband’s name or posterity on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-24.htm">1 Kings 2:24</a></span><br />And now, as surely as the LORD lives—the One who established me, who set me on the throne of my father David, and who founded for me a dynasty as He promised—surely Adonijah shall be put to death today!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-36.htm">1 Kings 11:36</a></span><br />I will give one tribe to his son, so that My servant David will always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put My Name.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And she conceived, and bore a son; and he called his name Er.</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/46-12.htm">Genesis 46:12</a></b></br> And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/26-19.htm">Numbers 26:19</a></b></br> The sons of Judah <i>were</i> Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/36-14.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/genesis/36-14.htm">Beareth</a> <a href="/genesis/36-12.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/36-14.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/genesis/31-10.htm">Conceived</a> <a href="/genesis/30-23.htm">Conceiveth</a> <a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Er</a> <a href="/genesis/30-23.htm">Pregnant</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/38-4.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/genesis/38-4.htm">Beareth</a> <a href="/genesis/38-4.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/38-4.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/genesis/38-4.htm">Conceived</a> <a href="/genesis/38-4.htm">Conceiveth</a> <a href="/genesis/38-6.htm">Er</a> <a href="/genesis/38-18.htm">Pregnant</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 38</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-1.htm">Judah begets Er, Onan, and Shelah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-6.htm">Er's marriage with Tamar, and death.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-8.htm">The trespass of Onan.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-11.htm">Tamar is reserved for Shelah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-12.htm">Judah's wife dies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-13.htm">Tamar deceives Judah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-27.htm">She bears twins, Pharez and Zarah.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/38.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/38.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So she conceived and gave birth to a son</b><br>This phrase indicates the continuation of the lineage of Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, who would become the patriarch of one of the tribes of Israel. The act of conceiving and giving birth is a fulfillment of God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" (<a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Genesis 1:28</a>). In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, bearing a son was particularly significant as it ensured the continuation of the family line and inheritance. This birth is part of the broader narrative of God's covenantal promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which include the promise of numerous descendants (<a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2, 15</a>:5).<p><b>and Judah named him Er</b><br>Naming in the biblical context often carries significant meaning and can reflect circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or divine revelation. The name "Er" is of uncertain meaning, but it is the firstborn of Judah, which holds importance in terms of inheritance rights and family leadership. Judah's act of naming his son signifies his recognition and acceptance of the child, which is crucial in the patriarchal society of the time. This event is part of the larger narrative that eventually leads to the lineage of King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ, as Judah's line is significant in biblical prophecy and typology (<a href="/matthew/1-3.htm">Matthew 1:3</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>One of the twelve sons of Jacob, Judah is a central figure in this chapter. He is the father of Er, and his actions and decisions play a significant role in the unfolding account.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/shua's_daughter.htm">Shua's Daughter</a></b><br>The unnamed Canaanite woman who becomes Judah's wife and the mother of his children, including Er.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/er.htm">Er</a></b><br>The firstborn son of Judah and Shua's daughter. His birth is significant as it sets the stage for the events that follow in the chapter.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/adullam.htm">Adullam</a></b><br>The place where Judah went down to and where he met Shua's daughter. It is a Canaanite city, indicating Judah's integration into the local culture.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The broader region where these events take place, highlighting the cultural and religious influences surrounding Judah and his family.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_lineage.htm">The Importance of Lineage</a></b><br>The birth of Er highlights the significance of family lines in biblical history, particularly in the context of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_integration_and_its_consequences.htm">Cultural Integration and Its Consequences</a></b><br>Judah's marriage to a Canaanite woman reflects the challenges of maintaining faith and identity amidst surrounding cultures, a theme relevant to believers today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_family_dynamics.htm">God's Sovereignty in Family Dynamics</a></b><br>Despite human actions and decisions, God's purposes prevail, as seen in the unfolding account of Judah's family.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_firstborns.htm">The Role of Firstborns</a></b><br>In biblical times, the firstborn held a special place in the family. Er's birth as Judah's firstborn sets the stage for the events that follow, reminding us of the responsibilities and expectations placed on firstborns.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_38.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 38</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_happened_to_tamar_in_the_bible.htm">What happened to Tamar in the biblical narrative?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_judah_call_tamar_'righteous'.htm">In Genesis 38:25-26, why does Judah suddenly shift from condemning Tamar to declaring her 'more righteous' than he is, without any direct divine intervention or clear moral explanation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_chr_2_3-4_align_with_gen_38.htm">How does 1 Chronicles 2:3-4 align with Genesis 38 regarding Judah and Tamar's lineage, and does it create inconsistencies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_genesis_38_fit_biblical_ethics.htm">In Genesis 38 overall, how does this morally complex story align with the broader biblical narrative on sexual ethics and lineage preservation?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/38.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er</span> - "Watcher" (Gesanius). What is commonly regarded as an idiosyncrasy of the Elohist, viz., the naming of a child by its father, here occurs in a so-called Jehovistic section. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/38-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So she conceived</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתַּ֖הַר</span> <span class="translit">(wat·ta·har)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2029.htm">Strong's 2029: </a> </span><span class="str2">To conceive, become pregnant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and gave birth to</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֵּ֣לֶד</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tê·leḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a son,</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּ֑ן</span> <span class="translit">(bên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and [Judah] named</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְרָ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him Er.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘êr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6147.htm">Strong's 6147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Er -- two men of Judah</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/38-3.htm">Genesis 38:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/38-3.htm">Genesis 38:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/38-3.htm">Genesis 38:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/38-3.htm">Genesis 38:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/38-3.htm">Genesis 38:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/38-3.htm">Genesis 38:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/38-3.htm">Genesis 38:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/38-3.htm">Genesis 38:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/38-3.htm">Genesis 38:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/38-3.htm">Genesis 38:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/38-3.htm">OT Law: Genesis 38:3 She conceived and bore a son (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/38-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 38:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/38-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 38:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>