1 Chronicles 2:3

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

בְּנֵ֣י

H1121

The sons

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

יְהוּדָ֗ה

H3063

of Judah

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

עֵ֣ר׀

H6147

And Er

er, the name of two israelites

וְאוֹנָן֙

H209

and Onan

onan, a son of judah

וְשֵׁלָ֔ה

H7956

and Shelah

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

שְׁלוֹשָׁה֙

H7969

which three

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

נ֣וֹלַד

H3205

were born

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

ל֔וֹ

מִבַּת

H1323

unto him of the daughter

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

#10

שׁ֖וּעַ

H7774

of Shua

shua, an israelitess

#11

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֑ית

H3669

the Canaanitess

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

#12

וַיְהִ֞י

H1961

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

#13

עֵ֣ר׀

H6147

And Er

er, the name of two israelites

#14

בְּכ֣וֹר

H1060

the firstborn

first-born; hence, chief

#15

יְהוּדָ֗ה

H3063

of Judah

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

#16

רַ֛ע

H7451

was evil

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

#17

בְּעֵינֵ֥י

H5869

in the sight

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

#18

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

of the LORD

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

#19

וַיְמִיתֵֽהוּ׃

H4191

and he slew

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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within 1 Chronicles chapter 2 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?