In Genesis 38:3; 26, this signifies the quality of evil derived from falsity from evil or the quality of the idolatry of the Jewish nation. (Arcana Coelestia 4819, 4826, 4913)

(références: Genesis 2, 38, 38:2)

4826. 'And she called his name Shelah' means the essential nature of this. This is clear from the meaning of 'calling the name' as the essential nature, dealt with above where Judah's first two sons, Er and Onan, are dealt with, 4822, 4824. The essential nature of that idolatry is meant by Shelah, for there are many kinds of idolatry. There is external idolatry and there is internal; and in general both involve the worship of falsity and evil.