Who was Er in the Bible?

Er was the firstborn son of Judah and the grandson of the patriarch Jacob (Genesis 38:3). He was also the husband of Tamar and an ancestor of the skilled linen workers from the town of Beth-ashbea (1 Chronicles 4:21).

What happened to Er in the Bible?

The Bible states that Er was wicked in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord put him to death (Genesis 38:7). His death left his wife, Tamar, a widow, which set in motion significant events in the lineage of Judah.

Why is Er significant in the Bible?

Er's death is a pivotal event because it led to the story of Tamar and Judah, which is part of the genealogy leading to King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:3). His lineage is also noted for producing a clan of craftsmen (1 Chronicles 4:21).

Er

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleSon of shelah

Er was Judah's grandson, ancestor of linen workers at Beth-ashbea.

Biography

Er, son of Shelah and grandson of Judah, is recorded in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles 4:21 as an ancestor of the linen workers who lived and worked at Beth-ashbea. Shelah was Judah's son by the daughter of Shua, born after the deaths of Judah's older sons Er and Onan. This Er, distinct from his uncle of the same name, does not appear in any biblical narrative but is associated through his descendants with a skilled artisan community in the territory of Judah. The linen workers of Beth-ashbea represent a specialized craft tradition within the tribe, suggesting that Shelah's branch of Judah's family contributed to the material culture and economy of the Israelite community.

Significance

Er son of Shelah illustrates how the tribe of Judah encompassed not only warriors, priests, and kings but also craftsmen and skilled laborers who contributed to the flourishing of the covenant community. The linen workers of Beth-ashbea, descended through Er, recall the skilled artisans whom God equipped for the tabernacle's construction (Exodus 31), suggesting a continuity of craft within Israel's tribal heritage. The Chronicler's inclusion of such occupational details in the genealogy reflects the theological conviction that all honest labor, including weaving and craftsmanship, has a place in God's purposes for his people. Even those remembered only through their descendants' trades are part of the larger story.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:21

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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