Shelah
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Shelah in the Bible?
Shelah is the third son of Judah and his Canaanite wife, the daughter of Shua, and the brother of Er and Onan; he is also listed as a descendant of Arpachshad in the genealogies of Genesis 10 and 1 Chronicles 1.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Shelah's role clarifies the lineage of the tribe of Judah, which is central to the narrative of the Davidic monarchy and the messianic expectations found in the Hebrew Bible.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Shelah reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Shelah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Shelah clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Shelah." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/shelah/