Genesis 38:2
New International Version
There Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua. He married her and made love to her;

New Living Translation
There he saw a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua, and he married her. When he slept with her,

English Standard Version
There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. He took her and went in to her,

Berean Standard Bible
There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua, and he took her as a wife and slept with her.

King James Bible
And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.

New King James Version
And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua, and he married her and went in to her.

New American Standard Bible
Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her as a wife and had relations with her.

NASB 1995
Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her and went in to her.

NASB 1977
And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her and went in to her.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her and went in to her.

Amplified Bible
There Judah saw a daughter of Shua, a Canaanite, and he took her [as his wife] and lived with her.

Christian Standard Bible
There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite named Shua; he took her as a wife and slept with her.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite named Shua; he took her as a wife and slept with her.

American Standard Version
And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her, and went in unto her.

Contemporary English Version
While there he met the daughter of Shua, a Canaanite man. Judah married her,

English Revised Version
And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her, and went in unto her.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
There Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man whose name was Shua. He married her and slept with her.

Good News Translation
There Judah met a young Canaanite woman whose father was named Shua. He married her,

International Standard Version
There Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua. He married her, had sexual relations with her,

Majority Standard Bible
There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua, and he took her as a wife and slept with her.

NET Bible
There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua. Judah acquired her as a wife and had marital relations with her.

New Heart English Bible
There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite whose name was Shua. And he married her and slept with her.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in to her.

World English Bible
There, Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite man named Shua. He took her, and went in to her.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Judah sees there the daughter of a man, a Canaanite, whose name [is] Shuah, and takes her, and goes in to her.

Young's Literal Translation
and Judah seeth there the daughter of a man, a Canaanite, whose name is Shuah, and taketh her, and goeth in unto her.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Judah will see there the daughter of a man, a Canaanite, and his name Shuah, and he will take her and will go in to her.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he saw there the daughter of a man of Chanaan, called Sue: and taking her to wife, he went in unto her.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he saw there the daughter of a man called Shua, of Canaan. And taking her as a wife, he entered to her.

New American Bible
There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite named Shua; he married her, and had intercourse with her.

New Revised Standard Version
There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; he married her and went in to her.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Judah saw there the daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yehuda saw there the daughter of a Canaanite man, and her name was Shua, and he took her and he went into her.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her, and went in unto her.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Judas saw there the daughter of a Chananitish man, whose name was Sava; and he took her, and went in to her.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judah and Tamar
1About that time, Judah left his brothers and settled near a man named Hirah, an Adullamite. 2There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua, and he took her as a wife and slept with her. 3So she conceived and gave birth to a son, and Judah named him Er.…

Cross References
Matthew 1:3
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.

Ruth 4:12
And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.”

1 Chronicles 2:3-4
The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death. / Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.

Numbers 26:19-22
The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but they died in the land of Canaan. / These were the descendants of Judah by their clans: The Shelanite clan from Shelah, the Perezite clan from Perez, and the Zerahite clan from Zerah. / And these were the descendants of Perez: the Hezronite clan from Hezron and the Hamulite clan from Hamul. ...

Deuteronomy 25:5-10
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. / But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” ...

Leviticus 18:16
You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother.

Leviticus 20:21
If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity. He has uncovered the nakedness of his brother; they shall be childless.

1 Samuel 22:7
Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds?

1 Kings 11:1-2
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love.

2 Chronicles 11:18-19
And Rehoboam married Mahalath, who was the daughter of David’s son Jerimoth and of Abihail, the daughter of Jesse’s son Eliab. / She bore sons to him: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.

Hosea 4:14
I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.

Romans 1:3
regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh,

Luke 3:33
the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,

Hebrews 7:14
For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.

Revelation 5:5
Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”


Treasury of Scripture

And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in to her.

saw.

Genesis 3:6
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Genesis 6:2
That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Genesis 24:3
And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

Shuah.

Genesis 46:12
And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.

1 Chronicles 2:3
The sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah: which three were born unto him of the daughter of Shua the Canaanitess. And Er, the firstborn of Judah, was evil in the sight of the LORD; and he slew him.

Shua.

Genesis 6:4
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

Genesis 24:3
And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

Jump to Previous
Canaan Canaanite Canaanitish Daughter Judah Lay Married Met Shua Shuah Wife
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Canaan Canaanite Canaanitish Daughter Judah Lay Married Met Shua Shuah Wife
Genesis 38
1. Judah begets Er, Onan, and Shelah.
6. Er's marriage with Tamar, and death.
8. The trespass of Onan.
11. Tamar is reserved for Shelah.
12. Judah's wife dies.
13. Tamar deceives Judah.
27. She bears twins, Pharez and Zarah.














There Judah saw
The phrase "There Judah saw" indicates a moment of decision and action. Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, is in a foreign land, and his actions here are pivotal. The Hebrew root for "saw" is "ra'ah," which often implies not just physical sight but also perception and understanding. This moment of seeing is significant as it leads to a series of events that impact Judah's lineage. In a spiritual sense, it reminds us of the importance of what we choose to focus on and how our perceptions can lead to significant life choices.

the daughter of a Canaanite man
The mention of "the daughter of a Canaanite man" is crucial in understanding the cultural and spiritual context. The Canaanites were often seen as a people whose practices were contrary to the ways of the Israelites. The Hebrew word for Canaanite is "Kena'ani," which can also mean merchant or trader, indicating a people deeply involved in commerce and often idolatry. Judah's choice to marry a Canaanite woman reflects a departure from the covenantal family line, which traditionally sought to marry within their own people to preserve their faith and customs.

named Shua
The name "Shua" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "wealth" or "opulence." This detail, while brief, provides insight into the possible status or influence of the family Judah is marrying into. Names in the Bible often carry significant meaning, reflecting character or destiny. The mention of Shua highlights the potential allure of worldly wealth and status, which can sometimes lead individuals away from spiritual priorities.

He took her as a wife
The phrase "He took her as a wife" signifies a formal union, though it lacks the covenantal language often associated with marriages within the Israelite community. The Hebrew word "laqach" for "took" can imply taking possession or acquiring, which may suggest a more transactional nature of this marriage. This action by Judah is a departure from the patriarchal tradition of seeking divine guidance in marriage, as seen in the marriages of Isaac and Jacob.

and slept with her
The phrase "and slept with her" indicates the consummation of the marriage. In Hebrew, the word "bo" is used, which means to come in or enter, often used euphemistically for sexual relations. This act leads to the birth of three sons, who play significant roles in the narrative of Judah's family. The physical union here, while legitimate in the context of marriage, also sets the stage for future familial and spiritual challenges, highlighting the complexities of human relationships and divine purposes.

(2) Canaanite.--This is rendered in the Targum merchant, and so the Authorised Version translates Canaanite in Proverbs 31:24. In favour of this view is the fact, that the marriage of Simeon with a Canaanitish woman is regarded as an act so exceptional, as to be worth recording (Genesis 46:10). But we may well doubt whether, at so early an age, the terms Canaanite and merchant had become synonymous. "Shuah" was the name of the woman's father, as appears plainly in the Hebrew. (See also Genesis 38:12.)

Verse 2. - And Judah saw there the daughter of a certain (literally, of a man, a) Canaanite, - not of a merchant (Onkelos), but of an inhabitant of the land of Canaan - whose name was Shuah; - "Wealth," "Riches," "Cry for Help" (Gesenius). This was not the name of Judah's wife (LXX.), but of her father - (vide ver. 12) - and he took her, - i.e. married her (viz. Genesis 6:2; Genesis 24:67) - and went in unto her.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
There
שָׁ֧ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

Judah
יְהוּדָ֛ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

saw
וַיַּרְא־ (way·yar-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of a Canaanite
כְּנַעֲנִ֖י (kə·na·‘ă·nî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3669: Canaanite -- inhabitant of Canaan

man
אִ֥ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

named
וּשְׁמ֣וֹ (ū·šə·mōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

Shua,
שׁ֑וּעַ (šū·a‘)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7770: Shua -- father of Judah's wife

and he took her as a wife
וַיִּקָּחֶ֖הָ (way·yiq·qā·ḥe·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

and slept with
וַיָּבֹ֥א (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

her.
אֵלֶֽיהָ׃ (’ê·le·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


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OT Law: Genesis 38:2 Judah saw there a daughter (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 38:1
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