Genesis 38:3 - She conceived, and bore a son; and he named him Er.
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What does "Genesis 38:3" mean?
This verse from Genesis 38:3 is straightforward in its literal meaning:
"She conceived": This means the woman became pregnant. In this context, it refers to Judah's wife, who is not named in this passage but is later identified as a Canaanite woman.
"and bore a son": This means she gave birth to a male child.
"and he named him Er": This means the father, Judah, named the son "Er." Names in the Bible often had symbolic or meaningful significance, but the specific meaning of "Er" is not explicitly stated in the Bible itself. However, some sources indicate that "Er" can be translated to "watchful."
In the larger context of Genesis 38, this verse sets the stage for the narrative about Judah's family and the unusual events surrounding the line of inheritance. The story is significant for several reasons:
It highlights the importance of lineage and offspring in ancient Israelite culture.
It introduces the concept of levirate marriage, where a brother is obligated to marry his deceased brother's widow to continue the family line.
It plays a role in the eventual lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus in the New Testament. Judah's line is important because the Messiah was to be from the tribe of Judah.
Therefore, while the verse itself is simple, it's a crucial step in the larger, complex story of Judah and his descendants, and their place in the history of Israel.
Genesis 38:3 - She conceived, and bore a son; and he named him Er.
What does "Genesis 38:3" mean?
This verse from Genesis 38:3 is straightforward in its literal meaning:
"She conceived": This means the woman became pregnant. In this context, it refers to Judah's wife, who is not named in this passage but is later identified as a Canaanite woman.
"and bore a son": This means she gave birth to a male child.
"and he named him Er": This means the father, Judah, named the son "Er." Names in the Bible often had symbolic or meaningful significance, but the specific meaning of "Er" is not explicitly stated in the Bible itself. However, some sources indicate that "Er" can be translated to "watchful."
In the larger context of Genesis 38, this verse sets the stage for the narrative about Judah's family and the unusual events surrounding the line of inheritance. The story is significant for several reasons:
It highlights the importance of lineage and offspring in ancient Israelite culture.
It introduces the concept of levirate marriage, where a brother is obligated to marry his deceased brother's widow to continue the family line.
It plays a role in the eventual lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus in the New Testament. Judah's line is important because the Messiah was to be from the tribe of Judah.
Therefore, while the verse itself is simple, it's a crucial step in the larger, complex story of Judah and his descendants, and their place in the history of Israel.