People of the Bible · Tribe of Judah

Shelah, son of Judah

The name Shelah means “that breaks; that unties; that undresses.” Shelah is mentioned in 8 verses of the Bible, first in Genesis 38:5.

Family of Shelah

Who was Shelah?

Petition. (1.) Judah’s third son (Gen. 38:2, 5, 11, 14).

(2.) A son of Arphaxad (1 Chr. 1:18).

Biography adapted from Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain, linked via Theographic Bible Metadata.

Key verses about Shelah

  • Genesis 38:5

    And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.

  • Genesis 38:11

    Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.

  • Genesis 38:14

    And she put her widow’s garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.

  • 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.

  • Numbers 26:20

    And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.

  • 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.

All 8 verses mentioning Shelah