King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 2:3 Mean?

1 Chronicles 2:3 in the King James Version says “The sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah: which three were born unto him of the daughter of Shua the Canaanitess. And...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah: which three were born unto him of the daughter of Shua the Canaanitess. And Er, the firstborn of Judah, was evil in the sight of the LORD; and he slew him.”

1 Chronicles 2:3 · KJV

Context

1

These are the sons of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, Israel: or, Jacob

2

Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

3

The sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah: which three were born unto him of the daughter of Shua the Canaanitess. And Er, the firstborn of Judah, was evil in the sight of the LORD; and he slew him.

4

And Tamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.

5

The sons of Pharez; Hezron, and Hamul.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Genealogical Significance: This verse appears within the Judah's lineage and David's royal line section of Chronicles' genealogical framework. The Hebrew term יְהוּדָה (Yehudah) - praise is central to understanding this passage's purpose. The Chronicler, writing to post-exilic Israel (c. 450-400 BCE), uses these genealogies not merely as historical records but as theological statements about covenant continuity and divine faithfulness.

The genealogical structure serves multiple purposes: (1) establishing Israel's connection to God's creatio n plan from Adam, (2) legitimizing post-exilic community's claim to covenant promises, (3) emphasizing Judah and Levi's special roles in God's redemptive plan, and (4) demonstrating that despite exile, God's covenant purposes continue. The selection and arrangement of names is intentional, highlighting Messianic line through Judah to David.

Chronicles diverges from Genesis and Samuel-Kings in its genealogical presentation, reflecting the Chronicler's distinct theological agenda. Where earlier texts focus on narrative history, Chronicles emphasizes continuity, legitimacy, and hope for restoration. This verse contributes to the larger argument that the post-exilic community is the rightful heir of God's ancient covenant promises.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Post-Exilic Context: The Chronicler wrote during the Persian period (450-400 BCE) to a community returned from Babylonian exile, struggling with identity and purpose. These genealogies answered crucial questions: Who are we? What is our relationship to ancient Israel? Do God's promises still apply to us?

The historical setting influences the text's emphasis on Genealogies of Judah and David's lineage - royal line emphasis. Ancient Near Eastern cultures valued genealogies for establishing land rights, royal legitimacy, and tribal identity. Chronicles' genealogies served similar functions while adding theological depth. The inclusion of specific names and details reflects the author's access to temple archives, royal records, and earlier biblical texts.

Archaeological evidence from Persian-period Judah shows a small, struggling community centered around Jerusalem and the rebuilt temple. The genealogies reinforced their connection to the glorious past and provided hope for future restoration through God's covenant faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding genealogies as theological statements rather than mere historical records change your reading of Chronicles and other biblical genealogies?
  2. What does this verse teach about God's faithfulness across generations, and how does that apply to your own family's spiritual legacy?
  3. How does Messianic line through Judah to David connect to the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
בְּנֵ֣י1 of 19

“The sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְהוּדָ֗ה2 of 19

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

עֵ֣ר׀3 of 19

“And Er”

H6147

er, the name of two israelites

וְאוֹנָן֙4 of 19

“and Onan”

H209

onan, a son of judah

וְשֵׁלָ֔ה5 of 19

“and Shelah”

H7956

shelah, the name of a postdiluvian patriarch and of an israelite

שְׁלוֹשָׁה֙6 of 19

“which three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

נ֣וֹלַד7 of 19

“were born”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

ל֔וֹ8 of 19
H0
מִבַּת9 of 19

“unto him of the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

שׁ֖וּעַ10 of 19

“of Shua”

H7774

shua, an israelitess

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֑ית11 of 19

“the Canaanitess”

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

וַיְהִ֞י12 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עֵ֣ר׀13 of 19

“And Er”

H6147

er, the name of two israelites

בְּכ֣וֹר14 of 19

“the firstborn”

H1060

first-born; hence, chief

יְהוּדָ֗ה15 of 19

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

רַ֛ע16 of 19

“was evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

בְּעֵינֵ֥י17 of 19

“in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יְהוָ֖ה18 of 19

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיְמִיתֵֽהוּ׃19 of 19

“and he slew”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 2:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 2:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 38:2-10Numbers 26:19Genesis 46:121 Chronicles 9:5

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