1 Chronicles 2:3
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
This phrase introduces the genealogy of Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, who is a significant figure in the lineage of Israel. Judah's descendants are crucial as they lead to the Davidic line and ultimately to Jesus Christ, fulfilling the Messianic prophecies. The Hebrew root for "Judah" (יְהוּדָה, Yehudah) means "praise," reflecting the tribe's role in leading worship and their prominence in Israel's history.

Er, Onan, and Shelah
These names are the sons of Judah, and each carries its own historical and theological significance. "Er" (עֵר, Er) means "watchful" or "awake," yet his life was cut short due to his wickedness. "Onan" (אוֹנָן, Onan) means "vigorous" or "strong," but he too faced divine judgment. "Shelah" (שֵׁלָה, Shelah) means "petition" or "request," and his lineage continued through the tribe of Judah. These names remind us of the importance of living righteously before God.

These three were born to him by Bathshua, a Canaanite woman
This phrase highlights the mixed heritage of Judah's sons, as Bathshua was a Canaanite. The inclusion of a Canaanite woman in the genealogy underscores God's grace and the breaking of ethnic barriers, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan. The name "Bathshua" (בַּת־שׁוּעַ, Bathshua) means "daughter of opulence," indicating her status and possibly her influence in Judah's household.

Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD
This statement reveals the moral failure of Er, despite his position as the firstborn. The Hebrew word for "wicked" (רַע, ra) denotes evil or wrongdoing, emphasizing the seriousness of his actions. The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" indicates that God's judgment is based on His perfect knowledge and righteousness, reminding us that nothing is hidden from Him.

so He put him to death
This phrase demonstrates the direct intervention of God in the affairs of humanity, particularly in matters of justice and righteousness. The divine judgment upon Er serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the holiness of God. It also sets the stage for the continuation of Judah's line through other means, ultimately leading to the fulfillment of God's promises through the tribe of Judah.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Judah
One of the twelve sons of Jacob, Judah is a significant figure in the lineage of Jesus Christ. His tribe becomes the leading tribe of Israel.

2. Er
The firstborn son of Judah, whose wickedness led to his death by divine judgment.

3. Onan
The second son of Judah, known for his disobedience and subsequent death by God's hand.

4. Shelah
The third son of Judah, who survived and continued the lineage.

5. Bath-shua the Canaanite
The mother of Judah's three sons, highlighting the intermarriage between Israelites and Canaanites.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Wickedness
Er's death serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin and God's judgment. It encourages believers to live righteously and seek God's forgiveness.

The Importance of Obedience
Onan's account illustrates the importance of obedience to God's commands. Disobedience can lead to severe consequences, both spiritually and physically.

God's Sovereignty in Lineage
Despite human failures, God's plan for the lineage of Christ through Judah remains intact. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His promises.

Intermarriage and Its Implications
Judah's marriage to a Canaanite woman reflects the potential spiritual dangers of intermarriage with those who do not share the same faith, as warned in the Old Testament.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Judah's sons illustrate the consequences of sin and disobedience?

2. In what ways does the lineage of Judah demonstrate God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His promises?

3. How can the warning against intermarriage with Canaanites in Deuteronomy 7:3-4 be applied to relationships today?

4. What lessons can we learn from the lives of Er and Onan about the importance of living a life pleasing to God?

5. How does the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 provide hope and assurance of God's redemptive plan despite human failures?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 38
This chapter provides the detailed account of Judah's family, including the events leading to the deaths of Er and Onan.

Matthew 1
The genealogy of Jesus Christ, which traces His lineage through Judah, highlighting the importance of this tribe in biblical history.

Deuteronomy 7:3-4
These verses warn against intermarriage with Canaanites, which is relevant to Judah's marriage to Bath-shua.
Divine Judgment on Individual SinR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 2:3
The Human FamilyW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 2:1-55
On the Genealogical TablesR. Glover 1 Chronicles 1-6
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Abiah, Abigail, Abihail, Abijah, Abinadab, Abishai, Abishur, Achan, Achar, Achsa, Achsah, Ahban, Ahijah, Ahlai, Amasa, Amminadab, Appaim, Aram, Ardon, Asahel, Asher, Ashur, Atarah, Attai, Azariah, Azubah, Bathshua, Benjamin, Bezaleel, Boaz, Bunah, Calcol, Caleb, Carmi, Chelubai, Dan, Dara, Darda, David, Eker, Elasah, Eleasah, Eliab, Elishama, Ephah, Ephlal, Ephratah, Ephrath, Er, Eshtaolites, Eshtaulites, Ethan, Gad, Gazez, Gesham, Geshem, Hamul, Haran, Hareph, Haroeh, Hazi-hammana-hethites, Helez, Heman, Hemath, Hezron, Hur, Ishi, Issachar, Ithrites, Jabez, Jada, Jahdai, Jair, Jamin, Jarha, Jehu, Jekamiah, Jerahmeel, Jerioth, Jesher, Jesse, Jether, Jithrites, Joab, Jonathan, Joseph, Jotham, Kenites, Korah, Levi, Maacah, Maachah, Maaz, Machir, Manahathites, Manahethites, Maon, Menahethites, Mesha, Mishraites, Molid, Moza, Nadab, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nathan, Nethaneel, Netophathites, Obed, Onam, Onan, Oren, Ozem, Pelet, Peleth, Perez, Pharez, Puhites, Puthites, Raddai, Raham, Rechab, Regem, Rekem, Reuben, Salma, Salmon, Segub, Seled, Shaaph, Shallum, Shammai, Sheber, Shelah, Shema, Sheshan, Sheva, Shimea, Shimeathites, Shimma, Shobab, Shobal, Shua, Shumathites, Simeon, Sisamai, Sucathites, Suchathites, Tamar, Tappuah, Tirathites, Tireathites, Tirhanah, Uri, Zabad, Zareathites, Zaza, Zebulun, Zerah, Zereathites, Zeruiah, Zimri, Zorathites, Zoreathites, Zorites, Zur
Places
Aram, Edom, Geshur, Gilead, Hammath, Havvoth-jair, Jabez, Kenath
Topics
Bathshua, Bath-shua, Bath-shu'a, Bore, Born, Canaanite, Canaanitess, Daughter, Death, Er, Evil, Firstborn, First-born, Judah, Judah's, Killed, Lord's, Oldest, Onan, Putteth, Shelah, Shua, Shua's, Sight, Slew, Sons, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 2:3

     5688   firstborn

Library
Canaan
Canaan was the inheritance which the Israelites won for themselves by the sword. Their ancestors had already settled in it in patriarchal days. Abraham "the Hebrew" from Babylonia had bought in it a burying-place near Hebron; Jacob had purchased a field near Shechem, where he could water his flocks from his own spring. It was the "Promised Land" to which the serfs of the Pharaoh in Goshen looked forward when they should again become free men and find a new home for themselves. Canaan had ever been
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations

The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers.
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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