Who
Judah’s firstborn by the daughter of Shua, and the first husband of Tamar. Scripture says only that “Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the LORD’s sight. So the LORD killed him” (Genesis 38:7), leaving her a childless widow. His death began the story that brought Tamar into the line of Christ (Matthew 1:3). He is not the Er of Luke’s genealogy (Luke 3:28).
Key verses
- Genesis 38:7
Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the LORD’s sight. So the LORD killed him.
- 1 Chronicles 2:3
The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah, which three were born to him of Shua’s daughter the Canaanitess. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the LORD’s sight; and he killed him.
Where the Bible names him
Family
- Parents