Genesis 38:7 - Exposition

And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord. The connection between Er's name ( עֵר ) and Er's character ( רַע ) is noticeable. The special form which his wickedness assumed is not stated; but the accompanying phrase suggests that, as in the case of the Sodomites ( Genesis 13:13 ; Genesis 19:5 ), it was some unnatural abomination. And the Lord slew him —literally, caused him to die; not necessarily by direct visitation; perhaps simply by allowing him to reap the fruits of his youthful indulgence in premature and childless death, which yet was so rapid and so evidently entailed by his evil courses as immediately to suggest the punitive hand of God.