שֵׁלָה (she.lah)

she.lah

Shelah

H7956 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 8 verses

N:N-M-P

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 8 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Shelah, meaning "a petition," identifies a specific figure in the genealogy of Judah. He appears primarily in Genesis and Chronicles as the third son of Judah and Bath-shua. His presence in these texts anchors the lineage that leads to King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ.

Shelah’s story is brief but significant. In Genesis 38, he is the brother of Er and Onan, whose deaths create a complex family situation involving their sister-in-law Tamar. Later, in Numbers 26:20, his descendants are listed as the Shelanites, showing that his line continued to be recognized within the tribe of Judah centuries later.

While not a central character like his brother Perez, Shelah represents an important link in the ancestral chain. His name serves as a reminder that even those with less detailed narratives in Scripture play a role in the broader story of God’s people.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Shelah appears in genealogies that might seem dry at first glance, yet it carries a quiet significance for your faith. Meaning "a petition," his presence reminds us that God’s plan unfolds through every generation, not just the most famous figures. Even when a person’s story is brief, their inclusion in Scripture shows that no one is overlooked in God’s family tree.

In Genesis 38, Shelah plays a role in a complex family situation involving his brother Er and sister-in-law Tamar. Judah delays giving Shelah to Tamar, fearing for his life. This moment highlights the human struggles within biblical families, showing that faith often navigates uncertainty and waiting. Yet, through these tensions, God’s lineage continues.

Shelah’s line is recorded in Chronicles as the Shelanites, indicating that his descendants remained part of Judah’s identity. This continuity points to Jesus Christ, who comes from this very tribe. Your own life, like Shelah’s, may feel ordinary or hidden, but you are woven into God’s larger narrative. Trust that your place in His story matters, even when it is not fully visible.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Shelah4×
and/ Shelah2×
to/ Shelah1×
of/ Shelah1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

שֵׁלָ֣ה2×
שֵׁלָ֔ה1×
שֵׁלָ֑ה1×
לְ/שֵׁלָ֣ה1×
לְ/שֵׁלָ֗ה1×
וְ/שֵׁלָ֖ה1×
וְ/שֵׁלָ֔ה1×

Key Verses

Genesis 38:5
She yet again bore a son, and named him Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him.

This verse records Shelah's birth and naming, establishing him as the third son of Judah and anchoring his identity in the family narrative.
Genesis 38:11
Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, until Shelah, my son, is grown up;” for he said, “Lest he also die, like his brothers.” Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.

Judah’s decision to delay giving Shelah to Tamar reveals the tension and fear influencing family decisions during this period.
Numbers 26:20
The sons of Judah after their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites.

This census entry confirms that Shelah’s descendants, the Shelanites, remained a recognized family group within the tribe of Judah.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Shelah mean?

The name Shelah (שֵׁלָה) is generally understood to mean "a petition" or "prayer." This meaning may reflect the hopes or circumstances surrounding his birth, though the text does not explicitly explain the naming reason.

Who was Shelah in the Bible?

Shelah was the third son of Judah and Bath-shua (also called Shua’s daughter). He is mentioned in Genesis 38 as the brother of Er and Onan, and his lineage continues through the Shelanites listed in Numbers 26 and Chronicles.

Why is Shelah important if he has no major stories?

Shelah’s importance lies in his role as a link in the genealogical chain leading to King David and Jesus Christ. His inclusion shows that God’s plan includes all generations, even those with less detailed narratives.

How is Shelah related to Tamar?

Shelah was Tamar’s brother-in-law. Judah promised to give her to Shelah after his first two sons died, but he delayed doing so. Tamar eventually took matters into her own hands to secure her rights and continue the family line.

Every Occurrence (8 verses across 3 books)

Genesis 5 verses

Genesis 38:5

She yet again bore a son, and named him Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him.

Genesis 38:11

Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, until Shelah, my son, is grown…

Genesis 38:14

She took off the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate…

Genesis 38:26

Judah acknowledged them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son.” He knew…

Genesis 46:12

The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez…

Numbers 1 verse

I Chronicles 2 verses