Genesis 38:7

But Judah’s oldest son Er, he did really bad things, and God was angry with him. So God finished up Er, and he died.

Plain English Version

In The King James Version

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

In Context

6Judah’s oldest son Er, he grew up and became a man. And Judah found a woman for Er to marry. That woman’s name was Tamar.

8Then Judah talked to his 2nd son Onan. Judah said, “Your brother Er is dead, and he didn’t have any kids. So now, you have to marry Er’s wife and sleep with her, so that she will have kids. That’s the rule in our culture. And after those kids grow up, they will get everything that belonged to Er. It will be like they are his kids.”

Read all of Genesis 38

Cross References

Genesis 6:8But God looked at the man called Noah, and Noah made God happy.

Matthew Henry on Genesis 38:2-12

Judah's Profligacy. ( b. c. 1717.) 1 And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, 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 unto her. 3 And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er. 4 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan. 5 And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at… Read the whole commentary →

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Study Genesis 38:7