שׁוּעַ (shu.a)
shu.a
Shua
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Shua, derived from the Hebrew root meaning wealth or riches, appears in the Old Testament as a proper noun for a man living during the patriarchal era. He is identified primarily as the father of Tamar, who became the wife of Judah, one of Jacob’s twelve sons. This connection places him within the genealogical framework of Genesis 38 and is reiterated in the chronicled lineage of I Chronicles 4:21.
Although Shua himself plays no active role in the biblical narrative beyond being named as a parent, his mention anchors the story of Judah’s family line. The sources indicate that his name signifies prosperity, yet the text focuses on his function as an ancestor rather than his personal achievements. His appearance is limited to these three verses, serving as a structural link in the historical records of Israel’s early tribes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shua appears only three times in Scripture, yet it holds a quiet place in the lineage of Jesus Christ. It means wealth or riches, but the text does not describe Shua’s life or character. Instead, he is remembered simply as the father of Tamar and the Canaanite wife of Judah. In an era where family lines determined tribal identity, his name anchors a crucial link in the history of Israel.
For believers today, this brief mention reminds us that God works through ordinary families and unexpected connections. The story of Judah and Tamar involves complex human failures, yet God preserves the line that leads to the Messiah. We see here that our own histories, with all their messy details, are held within a larger divine purpose. Faithfulness is not always about grand achievements; sometimes it is simply about being part of the story God is writing.
When we read these genealogies, we are invited to trust that God sees every name and every life. Even those who seem peripheral play a role in His plan. This assurance brings comfort, knowing that no one is overlooked in the grand narrative of salvation. We rest in the hope that our lives, however small they may feel, matter deeply to Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [was] Shua1×
- Shua1×
- -shua1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שׁ֣וּעַ1×
- שׁ֖וּעַ1×
- שׁ֑וּעַ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 38:2
There, Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite man named Shua. He took her, and went in to her.
This verse introduces Shua as the father of Judah’s first wife, establishing his role in the patriarchal narrative.
-
Genesis 38:12
After many days, Shua’s daughter, the wife of Judah, died. Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheep shearers to Timnah, he and his friend Hirah, the Adullamite.
Here Shua is mentioned posthumously as the father of Tamar, highlighting the family connections during a time of grief and transition.
-
I Chronicles 2:3
The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah, which three were born to him of Shua’s daughter the Canaanitess. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in Yahweh’s sight; and he killed him.
The chronicler uses this reference to confirm the lineage of Judah’s sons, ensuring the historical accuracy of the tribe’s descent.