Genesis 38:6
Genesis 38:6 in Multiple Translations
Now Judah acquired a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.
And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, and her name was Tamar.
And Judah took a wife for his first son Er, and her name was Tamar.
Much later, Judah arranged for Er, his firstborn son, to marry a woman named Tamar.
Then Iudah tooke a wife to Er his first borne sonne whose name was Tamar.
And Judah taketh a wife for Er, his first-born, and her name [is] Tamar;
Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, whose name was Tamar.
And Juda took a wife for Her his firstborn, whose name was Thamar.
When Judah’s oldest son Er grew up, Judah got a wife for him, a woman named Tamar.
Judah’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.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 38:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
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 38:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּקַּ֧ח
יְהוּדָ֛ה
אִשָּׁ֖ה
לְ/עֵ֣ר
בְּכוֹר֑/וֹ
וּ/שְׁמָ֖/הּ
תָּמָֽר
וַ/יִּקַּ֧ח
lâqach
H3947
to take
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוּדָ֛ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
Judah
N-proper
אִשָּׁ֖ה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs
לְ/עֵ֣ר
ʻÊr
H6147
Er
Prep | N-proper
בְּכוֹר֑/וֹ
bᵉkôwr
H1060
firstborn
N-ms | Suff
וּ/שְׁמָ֖/הּ
shêm
H8034
name
Conj | N-ms | Suff
תָּמָֽר
Tâmâr
H8559
Tamar
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 38:6
וַ/יִּקַּ֧ח
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
יְהוּדָ֛ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
"Judah"
N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
אִשָּׁ֖ה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
לְ/עֵ֣ר
ʻÊr
H6147
"Er"
Prep | 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.
בְּכוֹר֑/וֹ
bᵉkôwr
H1060
"firstborn"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to the firstborn child or animal, often holding a special status or responsibility. It appears in stories like Genesis and Exodus, highlighting the importance of birth order. The KJV translates it as 'eldest' or 'firstborn'.
Definition: 1) firstborn, firstling 1a) of men and women 1b) of animals 1c) noun of relation (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 96 OT verses. KJV: eldest (son), firstborn(-ling). See also: Genesis 10:15; Deuteronomy 21:17; Psalms 78:51.
וּ/שְׁמָ֖/הּ
shêm
H8034
"name"
Conj | 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.
תָּמָֽר
Tâmâr
H8559
"Tamar"
N-proper
Tamar was the name of three women and a place in the Bible, including the wife of Judah's son Er. The name means palm tree and is also associated with the city of Tadmor
Definition: Tamar = "palm-tree" Sothernmost tip of Judah Another name of tad.mor (תַּדְמֹר "Tadmor" H8412)
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: Tamar. See also: Genesis 38:6; 2 Samuel 13:8; Ezekiel 48:28.
Study Notes — Genesis 38:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Judah and Tamar
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.
6Now Judah acquired a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
7But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; so the LORD put him to death. 8Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 24:3 | and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, |
| 2 | Genesis 21:21 | And while he was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. |
| 3 | Matthew 1:3 | Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. |
Genesis 38:6 Summary
This verse tells us that Judah found a wife named Tamar for his son Er. In those days, it was common for families to arrange marriages for their children, like Abraham did for Isaac (Genesis 24:1-4). Judah was trying to take care of his son and make sure he had a family of his own. This story is also part of the bigger story of God's plan to save the world through Jesus Christ, as we see in Matthew 1:1-17.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Judah acquire a wife for Er, his firstborn?
Judah acquired a wife for Er as part of the cultural and familial customs of the time, where the father often arranged marriages for his sons, as seen in Genesis 24:1-4 where Abraham arranged a marriage for Isaac.
Who was Tamar and what was her role in the family?
Tamar was the wife of Er, Judah's firstborn son, and her role in the family would have been to bear children and manage the household, as was the custom for women in biblical times, similar to the role of Sarah in Genesis 18:9-15.
What can we learn from Judah's actions in acquiring a wife for Er?
We can learn that Judah was following the cultural norms of his time, but also that he was taking responsibility for his son's well-being and future, similar to how God takes care of His children, as seen in Psalm 68:5-6.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the biblical narrative?
This verse sets the stage for the story of Judah and Tamar, which ultimately points to the larger story of God's redemption and the coming of Jesus Christ, as seen in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can take responsibility for my family members, just like Judah did for Er?
- How do I balance following cultural norms with following God's will, as seen in this verse?
- What can I learn from Tamar's example about being a faithful and obedient wife, and how can I apply that to my own life?
- How does this verse remind me of God's sovereignty and care for His people, and how can I trust Him more in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 38:6
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn,.... Chose one for him, and presented her to him for his liking, whom he approving of married: whose name [was] Tamar; which signifies a "palm tree": the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 38:6
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. Judah took a wife for Er (waking, watchful) ... whose name was Tamar - i:e., palm tree, meaning probably that she was tall and erect.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 38:6
Genesis 38:6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name [was] Tamar.Ver. 6. And Judah took a wife for Er.] When he was but fourteen years of age, as appears by the Chronicle, seven years after the selling of Joseph. And here it is well observed, that though Judah took a wife without his father’ s consent, yet he will not have Er to do so. Musculus.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 38:6
6. Tamar] = “a date palm.” A female name, occurring twice in the family of David (2 Samuel 13:1; 2 Samuel 14:27). Judah, as head of the family, selects a wife for his firstborn, as in Genesis 24:3, Genesis 34:4.
Sermons on Genesis 38:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Genesis) Genesis 38:1-11 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Judah from the book of Genesis, specifically chapter 38. Judah, a member of the kingly line, goes down to do business and encou |
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Genealogy of Our Lord by Charles Anderson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that the story of the Bible can be summed up in one sentence: the story of man's ruin in sin and God's remedy in Christ. The main theme runn |
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(Genesis) Genesis 33:18-20 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the sad and sordid chapter in the life of Jacob, who is now known as Israel. Jacob's life reflects a growth and development in his relationshi |
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Genesis by Jim Cymbala | Jim Cymbala preaches on Genesis 38, focusing on the flawed character of Judah and the messy circumstances surrounding his family. He emphasizes that despite Judah's moral failures, |
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(Genesis) Genesis 37:34-36 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the grief of Jacob over the loss of his son Joseph. Jacob is seen mourning for his son and refusing to be comforted. The speaker suggests tha |
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(The Works of Faith) God Loves Us as He Loved Jesus by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God. He encourages the audience to consider how they are spending their time and to make |
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Through the Bible - Genesis 37-38 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith explores the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-38, focusing on the dynamics of sibling rivalry and the consequences of favoritism within Jacob's family. Joseph, favored by |