“And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.”
This verse is part of the genealogical record of Jacob’s descendants who went down to Egypt. It specifically focuses on the sons of Judah, who was one of Jacob’s twelve sons. Let’s explore the significance of this verse in the context of the biblical narrative.
The Sons of Judah: The verse begins by listing the five sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Pharez, and Zarah. These were the descendants who came from the lineage of Judah, who held a prominent position among Jacob’s sons. This is an important lineage, as the tribe of Judah became one of the largest and most influential tribes in Israel’s history. Notably, the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come from the lineage of Judah (Matthew 1:1-3).
Er and Onan’s Death: The verse mentions that two of Judah’s sons, Er and Onan, died in the land of Canaan. The details of their deaths are not provided here, but their premature deaths are significant within the larger narrative. Er’s wickedness was mentioned earlier in Genesis 38, where it is stated that the Lord put him to death because of his evil actions. Onan, Er’s brother, also died because he refused to fulfill his levirate duty, which involved marrying his brother’s widow, Tamar, and raising up offspring for his deceased brother (Genesis 38:8-10). Their deaths illustrate God’s judgment and serve as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and unrighteousness.
The Sons of Pharez: Following the mention of the deaths of Er and Onan, the verse goes on to mention the sons of Pharez, who was another of Judah’s sons. Pharez had two sons named Hezron and Hamul. This genealogical record is essential because it traces the line of descent from Judah to Pharez and then to Hezron and Hamul, establishing the family lineage.
Overall, Genesis 46:12 provides us with important information about the descendants of Judah and highlights both the blessings and consequences within this family lineage. It reminds us of the significance of Judah’s lineage in the biblical narrative, particularly in relation to the future coming of Jesus Christ, and it serves as a reminder of God’s judgment upon the wickedness of Er and Onan.
