Lexical Summary Shua: Shua Original Word: שׁוּעָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shua From shava'; wealth; Shua, an Israelitess -- Shua. see HEBREW shava' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom yasha Definition "wealth," an Asherite woman NASB Translation Shua (1), Shuah (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs שׁוּעָא proper name, feminine a woman of Asher 1 Chronicles 7:32; ᵐ5 Σωλα, ᵐ5L Σουα. Topical Lexicon Etymology and Meaning The personal name Shuaʿ (Strong’s H7774) carries the idea of “riches” or “wealth,” suggesting social standing or influence. Occurrences in Scripture • 1 Chronicles 2:3 – “These three were born to him by the daughter of Shua, the Canaanite”. Genealogical Significance 1. Shua the Canaanite Father-in-Law of Judah Judah’s marriage to Shua’s unnamed daughter produced Er, Onan, and Shelah. The Chronicler records this mixed union matter-of-factly, highlighting Israel’s early interaction with Canaanites. The alliance contrasts with Judah’s later relationship with Tamar, through whom the Messianic lineage proceeds (Genesis 38; Ruth 4:18-22; Matthew 1:3). Shua thus stands at the periphery of a narrative in which God overrides human choices to accomplish redemptive purposes. 2. Shua the Asherite Sister Shua, daughter of Heber and sister of Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham, appears in the genealogy of Asher. As with Serah, another Asherite woman named in genealogies, her inclusion confers honor and may point to a noteworthy marriage or legacy. The record affirms that every covenant member—male or female—matters in God’s unfolding story. Cultural and Historical Insights • Preservation of Female Names Both occurrences involve women directly or indirectly, underscoring Scripture’s counter-cultural recognition of women’s significance. This anticipates the Gospel genealogies that name women such as Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. • Early Israel–Canaanite Interaction Judah’s link to Shua’s household illustrates the complexity of maintaining covenant distinctness before the Sinai commandments. The Chronicler neither condemns nor commends the union; he simply reports it, allowing the larger biblical narrative to show how God’s grace supersedes human compromise. • Post-Exilic Identity Chronicler genealogies were crucial for re-establishing tribal identities after the exile. Recording otherwise obscure names like Shua reassured the returned community that God had not forgotten any branch of their family tree. Theological and Ministry Lessons 1. Divine Attention to Detail Shua’s fleeting mentions affirm that God knows every person by name. This comforts believers who feel insignificant (Luke 12:7). 2. Sovereign Grace Over Human Error Judah’s Canaanite marriage did not derail God’s plan; instead, the Messianic line emerged through subsequent events. Past mistakes or mixed backgrounds cannot thwart God’s purposes (Romans 8:28). 3. Dignity of Women in Redemption History Shua as Asher’s sister and Judah’s Canaanite wife’s lineage remind ministries to honor women’s roles in God’s mission (Galatians 3:28). Related Names and Distinctions Do not confuse Shua (H7774) with Bath-Shua (Bathsheba) in 1 Chronicles 3:5 or Shua (H7770) in Genesis 38:2; each has a distinct Hebrew spelling and Strong’s number. Summary Though Scripture grants Shua only two brief notices, those verses weave her into the fabric of Israel’s heritage. Whether as a Canaanite father-in-law who indirectly shaped Judah’s lineage or as an honored sister in the tribe of Asher, Shua exemplifies God’s meticulous care for every individual and His unbroken commitment to advance the covenant promise that culminates in the Messiah. Forms and Transliterations שׁ֖וּעַ שׁוּעָ֥א שוע שועא Shua šū‘ā šū·‘ā šū·a‘ šūa‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 2:3 HEB: ל֔וֹ מִבַּת־ שׁ֖וּעַ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֑ית וַיְהִ֞י KJV: unto him of the daughter of Shua the Canaanitess. INT: were born of the daughter Shua the Canaanitess become 1 Chronicles 7:32 2 Occurrences |
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