Who
Judah’s third son by the daughter of Shua (Genesis 38:5). After his brothers Er and Onan died, Judah promised him to their widow Tamar but held him back: “Remain a widow in your father’s house, until Shelah, my son, is grown up;” for he said, “Lest he also die, like his brothers” (Genesis 38:11). The broken promise led to Tamar’s deception and the birth of Perez and Zerah. He became father of the Shelanites, a clan of Judah (Numbers 26:20), whose descendants are listed in 1 Chronicles 4:21–23.
Key verses
- Genesis 38:11
Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, until Shelah, my son, is grown up;” for he said, “Lest he also die, like his brothers.” Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.
- Numbers 26:20
The sons of Judah after their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites.
- 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