Er is the name of two men in these verses, and the one most people meet is Judah’s oldest son. Genesis 38 says he married Tamar and then gives one short, hard line: “Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.” It does not say what he did. His death becomes the start of the story that follows. Later lists, in Genesis 46 and Numbers 26, record that Er and Onan died in Canaan. A different Er appears in the long family tree of Luke 3. Genesis 38 is the place to start.
6 verses
And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.
And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.
And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.
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.
The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.
Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er,
William Smith, 1884
(watchful).
(1.) First-born of Judah. Er "was wicked in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord slew him." (Genesis 38:3-7; Numbers 26:19)
(2.) Descendant of Shelah the son of Judah. (1 Chronicles 4:21)
(3.) Son of Jose and father of Elmodam. (Luke 3:28)