Judah’s Unapproved Offspring
In these passages is the account of Jacob’s son, Judah, marrying a Canaanite woman named Shuah. She bore Judah three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. When Er was old enough to marry, Judah took a wife for Er. Her name was Tamar. Er was ‘evil in the sight of the Lord,’ so the Lord took his life.
Jewish law required Er’s brother Onan to marry Tamar and raise up offspring for Er. However, Onan refused to impregnate Tamar, not wanting to raise his brother’s children. So, the Lord also took Onan’s life.
Judah’s third son, Shelah, was too young to be married, so Judah told Tamar to remain a widow in her father’s house until Shelah grew up. However, Judah was afraid to have Shelah marry Tamar, fearing that Sheila would also die. So, Judah delayed the marriage between Tamar and Shelah. After this, Judah’s wife, Shua, died.
Later Judah went on a trip to visit his sheep shearers in a nearby town. Tamar learned of his trip and went ahead of Judah to the town. She disguised herself as a prostitute and set by the path on which Judah would travel. Tamar did this because she knew that Judah would not let her marry Judah’s son Sheila.
Tamar’s plan worked, and Judah had sex with her. The negotiated price was to be a young goat called a kid. Judah did not have the kid with him. So, he gave Tamar his seal and cord and his staff as pledge until she received the kid. Tamar became pregnant with Judah’s child.
Judah’s Approved Offspring
After three months it was told Judah that Tamar was pregnant. According to Jewish law this was punishable by death, as she was pledged to Judah’s son, Shelah. As Tamar was being brought out to be executed, she revealed Judah’s pledge items, identifying Judah as the father. Tamar’s life was spared, and she gave birth to twins: Perez and Zerah. Perez is in the human lineage of Jesus Christ.
It is certainly interesting to see how God orchestrates events for his purposes. In this event it is likely that Perez’s lineage did not include any Canaanite blood. Judah’s sons Er, Onan, and Sheila were from a Canaanite wife. It is reasonable to assume that Tamar was an Israelite. Perhaps God did not want Canaanite blood in Jesus’ human lineage.
