Now at that time, Judah went away from his brothers and became the friend of a man of Adullam named Hirah.
2
And there he saw the daughter of a certain man of Canaan named Shua, and took her as his wife.
3
And she gave birth to a son, and he gave him the name Er.
4
And again she gave birth to a son, and he gave him the name Onan.
Genesis 38:1 — Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions
What does Genesis 38:1 say?
Genesis 38:1 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “Now at that time, Judah went away from his brothers and became the friend of a man of Adullam named Hirah.”
Where is Genesis 38:1 in the Bible?
Genesis 38:1 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis, chapter 38, verse 1.
Who wrote Genesis?
Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). Anciently attributed to Moses; many modern scholars view Genesis as a compilation of older oral and written sources finalized in or after the Babylonian exile. It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Genesis about?
Genesis is the book of beginnings — the origin of the universe, humanity, sin, and the covenant family God chose to bless the nations. It traces creation, the fall, the flood, and the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, laying the foundation for the rest of Scripture and pointing forward to the redemption that comes through the promised seed.
What are the major themes of Genesis?
Genesis explores themes including Creation, Fall, Covenant, Faith, Family, Promise. These themes shape the meaning and context of Genesis 38:1.
What translation should I read Genesis 38:1 in?
Genesis 38:1 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Genesis 38:1?
Genesis 38:1 reads (BBE): “Now at that time, Judah went away from his brothers and became the friend of a man of Adullam named Hirah.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.