1 Chronicles 2 3

1 Chronicles 2:3 kjv

The sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah: which three were born unto him of the daughter of Shua the Canaanitess. And Er, the firstborn of Judah, was evil in the sight of the LORD; and he slew him.

1 Chronicles 2:3 nkjv

The sons of Judah were Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by the daughter of Shua, the Canaanitess. Er, the firstborn of Judah, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; so He killed him.

1 Chronicles 2:3 niv

The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah. These three were born to him by a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua. Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the LORD's sight; so the LORD put him to death.

1 Chronicles 2:3 esv

The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah; these three Bath-shua the Canaanite bore to him. Now Er, Judah's firstborn, was evil in the sight of the LORD, and he put him to death.

1 Chronicles 2:3 nlt

Judah had three sons from Bathshua, a Canaanite woman. Their names were Er, Onan, and Shelah. But the LORD saw that the oldest son, Er, was a wicked man, so he killed him.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 3 Meaning

1 Chronicles 2:3 identifies three of Judah's sons—Er, Onan, and Shelah—born to him by a Canaanite woman named Bath-shua, daughter of Shua. The verse immediately highlights Er, Judah's firstborn, stating that he was "wicked in the sight of the LORD," resulting in God putting him to death. This verse initiates the detailed lineage of Judah, while promptly introducing a profound act of divine judgment within the very foundation of this pivotal tribal line, emphasizing God's holy standard.

1 Chronicles 2 3 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 2 shifts from the universal genealogies of mankind in Chapter 1 to a specific focus on the tribes of Israel, beginning with Jacob's sons and then intensely focusing on Judah. This detailed focus on Judah is critical for the Chronicler's post-exilic audience, as it establishes the legitimate lineage of the Davidic monarchy, from whom the hope of a renewed kingship and eventually, the Messiah, would arise. The placement of 1 Chronicles 2:3 right at the onset of Judah's detailed genealogy is significant. It immediately introduces a major flaw in the family of the patriarch Judah—intermarriage with a Canaanite woman and the severe divine judgment on his firstborn son due to wickedness. This sets a tone, underscoring that God's standards for holiness and justice apply even to the foundational families of Israel, affirming divine sovereignty and righteousness over human flaw and tribal politics. It shows that even prominent individuals within Israel's lineage were subject to God's immediate judgment when they practiced "wickedness in the sight of the LORD," an important historical precedent for covenant fidelity.

1 Chronicles 2 3 Word analysis

• The sons of Judah: (בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה - Bnei Yehudah)
  • Word: בְּנֵי (bnei) - "sons of," plural construct form of בֵּן (ben, "son").
  • Significance: This immediately signals a genealogical listing. The focus on "sons" emphasizes patrilineal descent, which was paramount for tribal identity, inheritance, and the establishment of family lines in ancient Israelite society. The chapter title in Chronicles usually implies a focus on a major tribal group.
• Er, Onan, and Shelah: (עֵ֚ר וְאוֹנָ֖ן וְשֵׁלָ֣ה - Er v'Onan v'Shelah)
  • Significance: These are Judah's initial three sons mentioned with their Canaanite mother. The sequence follows the Genesis account (Gen 38:3-5). The very naming is a point of continuity with the foundational Torah narratives. The inclusion of Er and Onan's names, despite their demise, is necessary for chronological and family integrity before detailing other branches through Perez and Zerah.
• these three were born to him by Bath-shua, the daughter of Shua, a Canaanite woman. (אֵ֣לֶּה שְׁלוֹשָׁה֮ נוֹלַד־לוֹ֙ מִבַּת־שׁוּעַ֙ בַּת־שׁ֣וּעַ הַכְּנַעֲנִֽית - Eleh shloshah nolad-lo mibat-Shua bat-Shua ha-Kena'anit)
  • Word: בַּת־שׁוּעַ (Bat-shua) - "daughter of Shuʿa." In Genesis 38:2, Judah takes "the daughter of a certain Canaanite man whose name was Shua." Chronicles here provides her specific name (Bath-shua) and reinforces her origin by repeating "daughter of Shua" followed by "the Canaanite woman." This might be a specific name used in Chronicler's sources, or an interpretation.
  • Word: הַכְּנַעֲנִֽית (ha-Kena'anit) - "the Canaanite woman," from כְּנַעֲנִי (Kena'ani).
  • Significance: This designation is highly significant. It clearly identifies the mother's non-Israelite, and specifically Canaanite, background. God's covenant laws (Exod 34:15-16; Deut 7:3-4) strictly forbade intermarriage with Canaanites, as it was considered a pathway to idolatry and apostasy, endangering Israel's spiritual purity and distinctive identity. The Chronicler, writing post-exile, often emphasizes obedience to Torah and purity of lineage (see Ezra 9-10; Neh 13), making this detail an implicit cautionary note even about a patriarch's past.
• And Er, Judah's firstborn, (וְעֵ֞ר בְּכֹ֣ר יְהוּדָ֗ה - v'Er bekhor Yehudah)
  • Word: בְּכֹר (bekhor) - "firstborn."
  • Significance: Emphasizing Er's status as "firstborn" is crucial. The firstborn often held special privileges and responsibilities (birthright). His early demise is thus especially impactful, showing that even the designated leader or heir in a foundational family line is not exempt from divine judgment.
• was wicked in the sight of the LORD, (רַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה - ra' be'einei YHVH)
  • Word: רַע (ra') - "evil," "wicked," "bad."
  • Word: בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָ֑ה (be'einei YHVH) - "in the eyes/sight of the LORD." YHVH (יהוה) is the sacred name of God, indicating His direct assessment.
  • Significance: This is a direct, clear divine verdict on Er's character. The phrase "wicked in the sight of the LORD" (רַע בְּעֵינֵי יהוה) is a common Biblical expression, indicating a moral failing so grave it incurs divine disapproval and judgment (e.g., Gen 38:7, 10; Num 16:30; 1 Sam 15:19). It attributes God's subsequent action specifically to Er's personal depravity, not to his mother's background or general circumstances. The Chronicler reinforces the consistent truth that God sees and judges all deeds.
• so He put him to death. (וַיְמִתֵֽהוּ - va-yemitehu)
  • Word: וַיְמִתֵֽהוּ (va-yemitehu) - "and He caused him to die" or "and He put him to death." Hiphil imperfect of מוּת (mut, "to die").
  • Significance: This unequivocally states God as the direct agent of Er's death. It highlights divine justice and sovereignty. God is not a passive observer but an active judge who directly intervenes when His standards of righteousness are violated. This immediate divine execution serves as a stark warning and establishes a pattern of divine response to human wickedness, a crucial theological point for the Chronicler's audience regarding accountability before God.

1 Chronicles 2 3 Bonus section

• Relationship with Genesis 38: Chronicles presents a slightly condensed version of Genesis 38:1-10 but retains the core details crucial for the Chronicler's theological message. The explicit naming of "Bath-shua" (Gen 38 calls her "daughter of a certain Canaanite") clarifies the woman's name and re-emphasizes her non-Israelite origin for the Chronicler's audience who prioritized purity. The omission of the narrative about Tamar, Perez, and Zerah at this exact point highlights the Chronicler's strategic editing; he provides them later, focusing initially on the unfortunate sequence of Er and Onan's deaths to introduce themes of judgment early.
• Chronological Importance: Although listed early, Er, Onan, and Shelah were technically Judah's first three sons before the birth of Perez and Zerah through Tamar. Their early mention grounds the subsequent genealogies by establishing the earliest foundational elements of Judah's direct family, which then proceeds to Perez, the line of David.
• Divine Sovereignty and Grace: While this verse highlights severe divine judgment, its inclusion within the grand lineage leading to David implicitly underscores God's persistent grace. Despite severe flaws and judgment in its very early stages (Judah's intermarriage, Er's wickedness, Onan's sin in the next verse), God faithfully maintained and preserved the line of Judah, through whom the promise of the Messiah would eventually come. This shows God working through flawed humanity, accomplishing His purposes despite sin.

1 Chronicles 2 3 Commentary

1 Chronicles 2:3 concisely details part of the ancestral line of Judah, but in doing so, it serves a critical theological and historical purpose. By naming Judah's first three sons, particularly noting their Canaanite mother and the divine judgment upon Er, the Chronicler sets a powerful precedent right at the outset of the key Davidic lineage. This serves not just as a factual record but as a theological lesson: that God's holiness demands accountability even from the earliest and most prominent figures in Israel's history. The specific mention of "a Canaanite woman" highlights the covenant concern regarding intermarriage, although God's direct judgment is tied to Er's personal "wickedness." The phrase "wicked in the sight of the LORD" immediately shifts focus to individual moral culpability before a holy God, and Er's direct death by divine hand dramatically illustrates God's sovereign and uncompromising justice. For the post-exilic community, this record would serve as a sober reminder of God's expectations and His readiness to act decisively against sin, even among His chosen people. It reinforces the importance of spiritual purity and righteousness over mere lineage or human position, laying a foundation for understanding God's hand in shaping Israel's history and ensuring its fidelity to the covenant.