ER

ER (Heb. עַר; "watcher, watchful"), the name of two biblical figures. (1) The eldest son of Judah and the daughter of Shua, a Canaanite (Gen. 38:2–3). He married tamar but died childless because of his wickedness (Gen. 38:6–7; 46:12; Num. 26:19; I Chron. 2:3). The nature of his offense is not specified. (2) The son of Shelah, the grandson of Judah, and the father of Lecah (I Chron. 4:21). -BIBLIOGRAPHY: W.F. Albright, Yahweh and the Gods of Canaan (1968), 69–70, 233p.