Shelah שֵׁלָה
Judah's youngest son and his descendants
Who is Shelah in the Bible?
Shelah was the third and youngest son of Judah, born in Chezib as recorded in Genesis 38:5. After his older brothers Er and Onan died, Judah promised Shelah's widow Tamar that Shelah would marry her when he came of age, but Judah failed to keep this commitment (Genesis 38:11, 14, 26). Shelah's descendants, known as the Shelanites, became one of the prominent clans within the tribe of Judah and were counted in the wilderness census (Numbers 26:20). According to 1 Chronicles 4:21-23, Shelah's descendants included skilled potters and linen workers who settled in Judah, giving his lineage enduring significance in Israel's tribal and occupational structure.
Biography
Shelah was the third and youngest son of Judah, born to him in Chezib (Gen.38.5). After the deaths of his older brothers, Er and Onan, Judah promised Tamar, Er's widow, that Shelah would marry her when he grew up. However, Judah did not keep this promise (Gen.38.11,14,26).
Shelah's descendants were called Shelanites (Num.26.20) and were one of the clans of Judah. They were included in the census of the tribe of Judah in the wilderness (Num.26.20) and in the genealogies of Judah (1Ch.2.3; 4.21). Shelah's descendants included potters and linen workers who lived in Judah (1Ch.4.21-23).
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Er Tribe of JudahSon of JudahJudah's firstborn son, killed by God for his wickedness.View full profile →
- Onan Tribe of JudahSon of JudahSon of JudahView full profile →
- Perez Tribe of JudahSon of JudahSon of Judah, ancestor of David and JesusView full profile →
- Zerah Tribe of JudahJudah's sonSon of Judah, twin of PerezView full profile →
Offspring
- Er Tribe of JudahSon of ShelahJudah's grandson, ancestor of linen workers.View full profile →
- Laadah Tribe of JudahSon of ShelahSon of Shelah, a JudahiteView full profile →
- Jokim Tribe of JudahSon of ShelahA descendant of Judah through ShelahView full profile →
- Joash Tribe of JudahSon of ShelahA descendant of Shelah in the tribe of JudahView full profile →
- Saraph Tribe of JudahSon of ShelahSon of Shelah, descendant of JudahView full profile →
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 1 with study contentGenesis 5 verses
- Genesis 38:5
"Then she gave birth to another son and named him Shelah; it was at Chezib that she gave birth to him."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 38:11
"Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 38:14
"she removed her widow’s garments, covered her face with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that although Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 38:26
"Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 46:12
"The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul."
Study Genesis →
Numbers 1 verse
- Numbers 26:20
"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."
1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 2:3
"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."
- 1 Chronicles 4:21
"The sons of Shelah son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah and the clans of the linen workers at Beth-ashbea,"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שֵׁלָה |
| Group | Hebrew | שֵׁלָנִי |