Genesis 38:3
Genesis 38:3 in Multiple Translations
So she conceived and gave birth to a son, and Judah named him Er.
And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.
And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.
And she gave birth to a son, and he gave him the name Er.
and she became pregnant and had a son he named Er.
So she conceiued and bare a sonne, and he called his name Er.
And she conceiveth, and beareth a son, and he calleth his name Er;
She conceived, and bore a son; and he named him Er.
And she conceived, and bore a son; and he called his name Er.
And she conceived, and bore a son, and called his name Her.
and she became pregnant and later gave birth to a son, whom he named Er.
Then that woman had a baby boy, and Judah named him Er.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 38:3
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 38:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תַּ֖הַר
וַ/תֵּ֣לֶד
בֵּ֑ן
וַ/יִּקְרָ֥א
אֶת
שְׁמ֖/וֹ
עֵֽר
וַ/תַּ֖הַר
hârâh
H2029
to conceive
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
וַ/תֵּ֣לֶד
yâlad
H3205
to beget
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
בֵּ֑ן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
וַ/יִּקְרָ֥א
qârâʼ
H7121
to call
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
שְׁמ֖/וֹ
shêm
H8034
name
N-ms | Suff
עֵֽר
ʻÊr
H6147
Er
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 38:3
וַ/תַּ֖הַר
hârâh
H2029
"to conceive"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
To conceive or become pregnant, as seen in the story of Sarah and Abraham in Genesis 17, where Sarah conceives Isaac in her old age. This word is used to describe the miracle of birth and new life.
Definition: 1) to conceive, become pregnant, bear, be with child, be conceived, progenitor 1a)(Qal) to conceive, become pregnant 1b) (Pual) to be conceived 1c) (Poel) to conceive, contrive, devise
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: been, be with child, conceive, progenitor. See also: Genesis 4:1; Numbers 11:12; Psalms 7:15.
וַ/תֵּ֣לֶד
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
בֵּ֑ן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
וַ/יִּקְרָ֥א
qârâʼ
H7121
"to call"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
שְׁמ֖/וֹ
shêm
H8034
"name"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, a name represents a person's identity, honor, and character, like God's name symbolizing His power and authority. It appears in Genesis and other books, often referring to God's name or a person's reputation. This concept is central to understanding biblical identity.
Definition: 1) name 1a) name 1b) reputation, fame, glory 1c) the Name (as designation of God) 1d) memorial, monument Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
Usage: Occurs in 771 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. See also: Genesis 2:11; Exodus 3:15; Deuteronomy 16:6.
עֵֽר
ʻÊr
H6147
"Er"
N-proper
Er was the name of two Israelites, one of whom was the eldest son of Judah. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:21 as the son of Shelah and the father of Lecah. Er's name means awake in Hebrew.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.21; son of: Shelah (H7956); brother of: Laadah (H3935), Jokim (H3137), Joash (H3101K) and Saraph (H8315); father of: Lecah (H3922) § Er = "awake" 1) the eldest son of Judah 2) son of Shelah and grandson of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Er. See also: Genesis 38:3; Genesis 46:12; 1 Chronicles 4:21.
Study Notes — Genesis 38:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Judah and Tamar
1About that time, Judah left his brothers and settled near a man named Hirah, an Adullamite.
2There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua, and he took her as a wife and slept with her.
3So she conceived and gave birth to a son, and Judah named him Er.
4Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Onan. 5Then she gave birth to another son and named him Shelah; it was at Chezib that she gave birth to him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 46:12 | The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. |
| 2 | Numbers 26:19 | The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but they died in the land of Canaan. |
Genesis 38:3 Summary
This verse tells us that Judah's wife had a baby boy and Judah named him Er. This is a simple statement, but it shows us that Judah is starting a family and making decisions that will impact his life and the lives of those around him. Just like Judah, we all make choices that have consequences, and it's essential to seek God's guidance, as we see in Proverbs 3:5-6, and to remember that God is sovereign over all things, as seen in Romans 8:28. By reflecting on Judah's story, we can learn valuable lessons about following God's plan and trusting in His goodness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Judah name his first son Er?
The Bible does not provide a direct answer to this question, but it may be related to the cultural or family traditions of Judah, as seen in other instances like Genesis 29:32 where Leah names her son Reuben based on her circumstances.
What can we learn from Judah's decision to marry a Canaanite woman?
Judah's choice to marry a Canaanite woman, as mentioned in Genesis 38:2, may indicate a lack of faithfulness to God's commands, such as those found in Deuteronomy 7:3-4, which warns against intermarriage with the people of the land.
How does this event fit into the larger story of the Bible?
This event in Genesis 38:3 is a part of the larger narrative of Judah's family and ultimately contributes to the story of the Israelites and the coming of Jesus Christ, as prophesied in Genesis 49:10.
What does this verse reveal about Judah's character?
This verse, in conjunction with the surrounding context, reveals Judah's character as someone who is making choices based on his own desires rather than following God's will, as seen in his decision to marry a Canaanite woman and his actions in Genesis 37:26-27.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, like Judah, may be prioritizing my own desires over God's plan for my life?
- How can I, as a believer, learn from Judah's mistakes and seek to follow God's commands in my relationships and decisions?
- In what ways does this verse remind me of the importance of seeking God's guidance and wisdom in my life, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6?
- What does this event reveal about God's sovereignty and ability to work through imperfect people and circumstances?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 38:3
And she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Er.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 38:3
And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 38:3
Genesis 38:3 And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.Ver. 3. And she conceived, &c.] St Jerome tells us of a certain drunken nurse, that was got with child by her nursling, a boy of ten years old. This he relates as monstrous, and takes God to witness that he knew it to be so. Bruson., lib. iv. cap. 9.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 38:3
3. and he called] Better, “And she called his name Er.” The mother calls the name, as in Genesis 38:4. The reading “she called” is found in some Heb. MSS., Sam. and Targ. Jer. “Er” and “Onan,” see Genesis 46:12.