Genesis 38:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, it was deemed 'not acceptable in the sight of the Lord' - and God caused his downfall. See Gen. 38:11

Judah joined Tamar in marriage for his eldest son, Er, who was indeed the firstborn. However, due to his wickedness, God brought about his demise. It is evident that in the law, no one finds justification before God, and within the Jewish synagogue, there exists no connection to the divine (for "the law brings about wrath," as stated in Romans 4:15). The lineage of Judah that dwelled with Tamar reflects this truth. Er’s name signifies ‘skin’ or ‘earthly.’ His wickedness led to his judgment and death. The first humans also displayed immense wickedness, complaining against God, questioning, "Can God prepare a feast in the wilderness? Look, He struck the rock, and the waters gushed forth; rivers flowed. Can He also provide bread?" (Psalm 77:19-20).

Judah married and had three sons: Ir, Onan, and Shelah. Ir, the eldest, took Tamar as his wife. However, Ir was deemed wicked in the sight of the Lord, and so the Lord put him to death.

Wicked in the eyes of the Lord. But what led people to that conclusion? Likely due to his evident wrongdoing and the tragic nature of his early demise, which reflected God's judgment. God took his life. The specifics of his death are not revealed. This indicates that an early death, especially for one without offspring, was commonly perceived as a divine punishment.