Numbers 26:19
The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but they died in the land of Canaan.
The sons of Judah
This phrase introduces the lineage of Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, who is also known as Israel. Judah's descendants are significant in biblical history, as the tribe of Judah becomes one of the most prominent tribes of Israel. The Hebrew root for "Judah" is "Yehudah," which means "praise." This reflects the role of Judah's lineage in the biblical narrative, as it is from this tribe that King David and ultimately Jesus Christ, according to Christian belief, are descended. The mention of Judah here underscores the importance of his lineage in the unfolding account of God's covenant with Israel.

were Er and Onan
Er and Onan are the first two sons of Judah, born to him by his Canaanite wife, the daughter of Shua. Their account is recounted in Genesis 38, where both brothers meet untimely deaths due to their disobedience and wickedness. The Hebrew names "Er" and "Onan" carry meanings that reflect their narratives; "Er" can mean "watchful" or "awake," while "Onan" means "vigorous" or "strong." However, their actions did not live up to these meanings, as their lives were cut short due to their failure to fulfill their familial and divine responsibilities.

but Er and Onan died
The deaths of Er and Onan are significant in the biblical narrative as they highlight the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. In Genesis 38, Er is described as wicked in the sight of the Lord, and Onan is punished for his refusal to fulfill the duty of levirate marriage to his brother's widow, Tamar. This phrase serves as a reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin and the importance of obedience to His laws. It also sets the stage for the continuation of Judah's line through Tamar, which is a pivotal moment in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah.

in the land of Canaan
Canaan is the land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, a land flowing with milk and honey. It is a place of both promise and testing for the Israelites. The mention of Canaan here situates the events within the broader narrative of God's covenant with Israel. The deaths of Er and Onan in Canaan serve as a prelude to the eventual inheritance of the land by the Israelites, despite the challenges and failures they face along the way. This phrase reminds readers of the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises, even when His people fall short.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Er
The firstborn son of Judah, who was wicked in the sight of the Lord and was put to death by God.

2. Onan
The second son of Judah, who also displeased the Lord and was put to death for his actions.

3. Judah
One of the twelve sons of Jacob, whose lineage is significant in the history of Israel and the genealogy of Jesus Christ.

4. Canaan
The land where the sons of Judah died, which is significant as the Promised Land for the Israelites.

5. The Census of Israel
Numbers 26 records a census of the Israelites, taken as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, highlighting the continuity and faithfulness of God's promises despite human failure.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
Er and Onan's deaths remind us that sin has serious consequences. We must strive to live righteously and seek God's forgiveness.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
God's actions in the lives of Er and Onan demonstrate His sovereignty and justice. We can trust that God is just in all His ways.

The Importance of Obedience
The account of Er and Onan highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands. Disobedience leads to spiritual and sometimes physical death.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
Despite human failure, God's promises to His people remain steadfast. The census in Numbers 26 shows the continuation of God's plan for Israel.

Learning from the Past
The account of Er and Onan serves as a warning and a lesson for us to learn from the past and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from the deaths of Er and Onan about the seriousness of sin and its consequences?

2. How does the account of Judah's family, including Er and Onan, fit into the larger account of God's plan for redemption?

3. In what ways does the census in Numbers 26 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises despite human failure?

4. How can we apply the lessons from Er and Onan's lives to our own walk with God today?

5. What other biblical examples can you think of where God used imperfect people to fulfill His purposes, and how does this encourage you in your faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 38
This chapter provides the background account of Er and Onan, detailing their actions and the reasons for their deaths.

Matthew 1
The genealogy of Jesus includes Judah, showing the importance of his lineage despite the failures of his sons.

Romans 6
Discusses the consequences of sin and the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, paralleling the consequences faced by Er and Onan.

1 Corinthians 10
Warns believers to learn from the mistakes of those in the past, like Er and Onan, to avoid falling into similar sins.
The Second CensusD. Young Numbers 26:1-62
People
Aaron, Abihu, Abiram, Ahiram, Ahiramites, Amram, Ard, Ardites, Areli, Arelites, Arod, Arodites, Ashbel, Ashbelites, Asher, Asriel, Asrielites, Becher, Becherites, Bela, Belaites, Benjamin, Beriah, Beriites, Berites, Caleb, Carmi, Carmites, Dan, Dathan, Eleazar, Eliab, Elon, Elonites, Enoch, Enochites, Er, Eran, Eranites, Eri, Erites, Gad, Gershon, Gershonites, Gileadites, Guni, Gunites, Haggai, Haggi, Haggites, Hamul, Hamulites, Hanoch, Hanochites, Heber, Heberites, Hebronites, Helek, Helekites, Helkites, Hepher, Hepherites, Hezron, Hezronites, Hoglah, Hupham, Huphamites, Iezerites, Imnah, Imnites, Ishvites, Israelites, Issachar, Ithamar, Jachin, Jachinites, Jahleel, Jahleelites, Jahzeel, Jahzeelites, Jamin, Jaminites, Jashub, Jashubites, Jeezer, Jeezerites, Jephunneh, Jesui, Jesuites, Jezer, Jezerites, Jimna, Jimnah, Jimnites, Jishvites, Jochebed, Joseph, Joshua, Kohath, Kohathites, Korah, Korahites, Korathites, Levi, Levites, Libnites, Machir, Machirites, Mahlah, Mahlites, Malchiel, Malchielites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Milcah, Miriam, Moses, Mushites, Naaman, Naamites, Nadab, Naphtali, Nemuel, Nemuelites, Noah, Nun, Onan, Ozni, Oznites, Pallu, Palluites, Perez, Perezites, Phallu, Phalluites, Pharez, Pua, Puah, Punites, Reuben, Reubenites, Sarah, Sardites, Saul, Saulites, Serah, Sered, Seredites, Shaul, Shaulites, Shechemites, Shelah, Shelanites, Shemida, Shemidaites, Shillem, Shillemites, Shimron, Shimronites, Shuham, Shuhamites, Shuni, Shunites, Shupham, Shuphamites, Shuthelah, Shuthelahites, Simeon, Simeonites, Tahan, Tahanites, Tirzah, Tola, Tolaites, Zarhites, Zebulun, Zebulunites, Zelophehad, Zephon, Zephonites, Zerah, Zerahites
Places
Canaan, Egypt, Jericho, Jordan River, Moab, Peor, Sinai
Topics
Canaan, Death, Died, Dieth, Er, Judah, Onan, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 26:1-61

     5671   clan

Numbers 26:1-62

     7230   genealogies

Numbers 26:1-65

     5249   census

Numbers 26:12-50

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
The Census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Training of a Statesman.
MOSES IN EGYPT AND THE WILDERNESS.--EX. 1:1; 7:5. Parallel Readings. Goodnow, F. J., Comparative Administrative Law. Hist. Bible I, 151-69. And he went out on the following day and saw two men of the Hebrews striving together; and he said to the one who was doing the wrong, Why do you smite your fellow-workman? But he replied, Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? Then Moses was afraid and said, Surely the thing is known. When, therefore,
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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