Genesis 38:5
ESV
Yet again she bore a son, and she called his name Shelah. Judah was in Chezib when she bore him.
NIV
She gave birth to still another son and named him Shelah. It was at Kezib that she gave birth to him.
NASB
She gave birth to yet another son and named him Shelah; and it was at Chezib that she gave birth to him.
CSB
She gave birth to another son and named him Shelah. It was at Chezib that she gave birth to him.
NLT
And when she gave birth to a third son, she named him Shelah. At the time of Shelah’s birth, they were living at Kezib.
KJV
And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.
NKJV
And she conceived yet again and bore a son, and called his name Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him.
What does Genesis 38:5 mean?
Jacob's son Judah (Genesis 29:25) moved to the region of Abdullam, away from his brothers and family at Hebron. His Canaanite wife has now given birth to three sons (Genesis 38:1–4). The first two are named Er and Onan. Both will meet an early death, dying separately as punishment for their sins (Genesis 38:7; 9–10).Judah's third son is named Shelah, which means something like "drawn out." When his third son is born, Judah is away but nearby, at a town called Chezib. These locations are only a few miles / kilometers apart.
While Judah does not yet realize it, his offspring will have an incredible legacy. Among his descendants are David, Solomon, and Jesus (Matthew 1:1–16). However, none of his three eldest sons will be part of that genealogy. Instead, his family line will be extended through a series of tragic and deceptive acts (Genesis 38:24–26).
