Genesis 38:1-13 ▼

1 And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brothers, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.

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

3 And she conceived, and bore a son; and he called his name Er.

4 And she conceived again, and bore a son; and she called his name Onan.

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

6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.

7 And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.

8 And Judah said to Onan, Go in to your brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to your brother.

9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.

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

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

12 And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheep shearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.

13 And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold your father in law goes up to Timnath to shear his sheep.