What Is the Significance of the “He Called” Variant in Genesis 38:3?

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Genesis 38:3 records, “And she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er.” This verse, from the Updated American Standard Version, is pivotal in the account of Judah’s family. A variant exists in the Samaritan and Targum manuscripts where the text reads “she called” instead of “he called” in an attempt to harmonize this verse with the following passages. The Masoretic text, however, stands as our primary witness, and its reading is maintained unless overwhelming evidence justifies a revision.

Textual Analysis

The Masoretic text provides the foundation for the Hebrew Scriptures. In Genesis 38:3 the text reads:
“Now she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er.”

Here the pronoun “he” clearly indicates that the child, once born, was the one who named him Er. In contrast, the Samaritan and Targum manuscripts have “she called” in an effort to create consistency with subsequent verses. The variant reflects an attempt by later copyists to harmonize the account, but it does not override the authority of the Masoretic text, which has been preserved with exceptional care.

Weighing External Evidence

In evaluating external evidence, the primary weight is given to the original language manuscripts, notably the Codex Leningrad B 19A and the Aleppo Codex. In Old Testament textual criticism, the Masoretic text is our starting point. Although it is not without minor imperfections, any alternative reading requires a heavy burden of proof. All available evidence must be scrutinized before concluding that a reading in the Masoretic text is corrupt.

The Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls, Syriac, Aramaic Targums, and the Vulgate have been instrumental in uncovering possible copyist errors. The Septuagint, for example, was once regarded by the Jews as inspired and equal to the Hebrew Scriptures until the second century C.E., when the Jews returned exclusively to the consonantal text. Despite the value of these external sources, they cannot independently justify altering the Masoretic text unless their collective evidence overwhelmingly supports an alternative reading. In this instance, the variant “she called” does not meet that heavy standard.

Historical Transmission of the Masoretic Text

The transmission of the Hebrew Scriptures was secured through generations of dedicated scribes. From the time of the Sopherim, who copied the Scriptures from the period of Ezra to the time of Jesus, to the extraordinary work of the Masoretes between the 6th century C.E. and the 10th century C.E., great care was taken to ensure each word and letter was accurately preserved. The Masoretes employed a detailed system of marginal notes—the Small Masora in the side margins, the Large Masora in the top margins, and additional annotations known as the Final Masora—to cross-check their work. Despite the absence of numbered verses or concordances, their rigorous methods ensured a remarkably stable text. This careful transmission makes the Masoretic reading of “he called” the definitive choice for this verse.

Conclusion

The variant reading in Genesis 38:3, where the Samaritan and Targum manuscripts state “she called” instead of the Masoretic “he called,” is best understood as an attempt by later copyists to harmonize the account. Given the rigorous preservation of the Masoretic text, supported by the Codex Leningrad and the Aleppo Codex, the evidence firmly supports retaining the Masoretic reading. External evidence from the Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls, Syriac, Aramaic Targums, and the Vulgate is valuable but does not meet the heavy burden of proof required to override the established text. Thus, the authoritative account remains as recorded in the Masoretic tradition.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).