1 Chronicles 2:3

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.

The sons {H1121} of Judah {H3063}; Er {H6147}, and Onan {H209}, and Shelah {H7956}: which three {H7969} were born {H3205} unto him of the daughter {H1323} of Shua {H7774}{H1340} the Canaanitess {H3669}. And Er {H6147}, the firstborn {H1060} of Judah {H3063}, was evil {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}; and he slew {H4191} him.

The sons of Y'hudah: 'Er, Onan and Shelah; the mother of these three was Bat-Shua the Kena'anit. 'Er, Y'hudah's firstborn, was wicked from ADONAI's perspective, so he killed him.

The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, who put him to death.

The sons of Judah: Er, and Onan, and Shelah; which three were born unto him of Shua’s daughter the Canaanitess. And Er, Judah’s first-born, was wicked in the sight of Jehovah; and he slew him.

Commentary

Context of 1 Chronicles 2:3

First Chronicles opens with extensive genealogies, tracing the lineage from Adam through the patriarchs, culminating in the tribes of Israel. This particular verse, 1 Chronicles 2:3, is part of the detailed record of the tribe of Judah, which is of paramount importance in Israelite history as it is the tribe from which King David would descend, and ultimately, the Messiah. The chronicler’s purpose in these genealogies was to establish the identity and legitimacy of post-exilic Israel, reminding them of their heritage and God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. The brief mention of Er's fate here assumes the reader's familiarity with the fuller narrative found in Genesis.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Lineage and Identity: The meticulous listing of generations underscores the significance of family lines in ancient Israel, crucial for tribal identity, inheritance, and understanding God's unfolding plan. The immediate focus on the sons of Judah highlights the prominence of this specific branch of Jacob's family.
  • Divine Justice and Sovereignty: The stark statement, "And Er, the firstborn of Judah, was evil in the sight of the LORD; and he slew him," highlights God's active involvement in human affairs and His unyielding justice. God sees and judges wickedness, even within the most prominent families. This event is a direct demonstration of divine judgment against unrighteousness.
  • Consequences of Sin: Er's wickedness led directly to his death at the hand of the Lord. This serves as a powerful reminder that sin has severe consequences and that God does not tolerate unrighteousness. The full narrative detailing Er's sin and his brother Onan's subsequent actions can be found in Genesis 38:7-10.
  • Continuity of God's Plan: Despite the tragedy and divine judgment on Er and Onan, the lineage of Judah continues through Shelah. This ensures the fulfillment of God’s larger purposes for this tribe, which includes the promise of the scepter not departing from Judah (Genesis 49:10).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "evil in the sight of the LORD" (Hebrew: ra' b'eyney Yahweh) is a recurring motif in the Old Testament, indicating actions that are profoundly displeasing to God and often provoke His judgment. It emphasizes that God is not merely a distant observer but one who actively perceives and responds to human conduct. The direct statement "and he slew him" (Hebrew: wayyamitehu) leaves no ambiguity about the divine hand in Er's death, distinguishing it from a natural or accidental passing. This underscores God's direct intervention against wickedness.

Practical Application

This seemingly brief genealogical entry carries profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God is holy and righteous, and His standards do not change. He sees all actions, both good and evil, and there are consequences for unrighteousness.
  • We are called to live lives that are pleasing in God's sight, recognizing that our choices have spiritual implications.
  • Even amidst human failure and divine judgment, God's overarching plan for humanity continues. He works through individuals and generations to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating His unwavering sovereignty and faithfulness through all circumstances.

Understanding this verse helps us appreciate the intricate tapestry of biblical history and the consistent character of God revealed throughout Scripture, emphasizing both His justice and His commitment to His covenant promises.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 38:2 (5 votes)

    And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name [was] Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.

  • Genesis 38:10 (5 votes)

    And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.

  • Numbers 26:19 (4 votes)

    The sons of Judah [were] Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.

  • Genesis 46:12 (4 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Chronicles 9:5 (2 votes)

    And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons.