Genesis 38:1-12

It came to pass at that time that Judah departed from his brothers, and visited a certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah.

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

3  So she conceived and bore a son and he called his name Er.

4  She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan.

5  And she conceived yet again and bore a son, and called his name Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him.

6  Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.

7  But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord killed him.

8  And Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.”

9  But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother.

10  And the thing which he did displeased the Lord; therefore He killed him also.

11  Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house till my son Shelah is grown.” For he said, “Lest he also die like his brothers.” And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.

12  Now in the process of time the daughter of Shua, Judah’s wife, died; and Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.