Genesis 38:5

And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.

And she yet again conceived {H3254}, and bare {H3205} a son {H1121}; and called {H7121} his name {H8034} Shelah {H7956}: and he was at Chezib {H3580}, when she bare {H3205} him.

Then she conceived yet again and had a son whom she called Shelah; he was in K'ziv when she gave birth to him.

Then she gave birth to another son and named him Shelah; it was at Chezib that she gave birth to him.

And she yet again bare a son, and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.

Commentary

Genesis 38:5 describes the birth of Shelah, the third son of Judah and his unnamed Canaanite wife, the "daughter of Shuah." This verse is a concise record of a significant event in Judah's family line, following the tragic deaths of his first two sons, Er and Onan.

Context

Chapter 38 of Genesis serves as a narrative interlude, shifting focus from Joseph's story (which resumes in Genesis 39) to detail the family affairs of Judah, one of Jacob's sons. This chapter is crucial for understanding the lineage of Judah, from whom the Messiah would eventually come. Prior to Shelah's birth, Judah had married a Canaanite woman and fathered two sons, Er and Onan. Both were struck down by God for their wickedness (Genesis 38:7; Genesis 38:10). The birth of Shelah, therefore, represents the continuation of Judah's direct line, a vital link in the patriarchal history.

Key Themes

  • Genealogical Continuity: The primary theme is the establishment and continuation of Judah's family line. After the loss of Er and Onan, Shelah becomes the sole surviving direct male heir, ensuring the perpetuation of the tribal lineage. This continuity is paramount in biblical narratives, especially concerning the patriarchal promises.
  • Divine Oversight in Human Affairs: Even in what appears to be a simple family record, the broader narrative of God's plan for Israel and ultimately the world is quietly unfolding. The preservation of Judah's line is essential for the future Messianic prophecies.
  • Significance of Names and Places: The mention of Shelah's name and birthplace, Chezib, adds specific details to the historical record, anchoring the event within the geographical and cultural landscape of the time.

Linguistic Insights

The name Shelah (Hebrew: ืฉึตืืœึธื”, Shฤ“lฤh) is often interpreted to mean "petition" or "request." Other suggestions include "sprout" or "growth," which would symbolically fit the idea of a new branch on the family tree after the loss of the first two sons. The location, Chezib (Hebrew: ื›ึฐึผื–ึดื™ื‘, Kฤ•zฤซแธ‡), is intriguing as its root means "to lie" or "to deceive." This could be a coincidental place name, or perhaps it subtly foreshadows the deceptive events that later unfold in this very chapter involving Judah and Tamar.

Reflection and Application

Genesis 38:5, though brief, reminds us of the meticulous detail with which the Bible records family lines and events. It highlights the importance of heritage and the continuity of generations, particularly in a society where family lineage was foundational to identity and inheritance. For believers today, this verse underscores that God works through the seemingly ordinary events of human history and family life to achieve His grand purposes. Every detail, even the birth of a child in a specific location, contributes to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, culminating in the lineage of Jesus Christ, who came from the tribe of Judah.

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Cross-References

  • Numbers 26:20 (3 votes)

    And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.

  • 1 Chronicles 4:21 (2 votes)

    The sons of Shelah the son of Judah [were], Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea,

  • Genesis 38:11 (2 votes)

    Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren [did]. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.

  • Genesis 46:12 (2 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.

  • Genesis 38:26 (2 votes)

    And Judah acknowledged [them], and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.