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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 38:3-7
Chapter Contents
The profligate conduct of Judah and his family.
This chapter gives an account of Judah and his family, and such an account it is, that it seems a wonder that of all Jacob's sons, our Lord should spring out of Judah, John 8:41. What awful examples the Lord proclaims in his punishments, of his utter displeasure at sin! Let us seek grace from God to avoid every appearance of sin. And let that state of humbleness to which Jesus submitted, when he came to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, in appointing such characters as those here recorded, to be his ancestors, endear the Redeemer to our hearts.