Genesis 38:8-10
8 Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother.” 9 But Onan knew that the child would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from providing offspring for his brother. 10 What he did was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so the Lord put him to death also.
Genesis 38:8-10 Meaning
In Genesis 38:8-10, we find the story of Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar. These verses shed light on the importance of fulfilling familial responsibilities and the consequences of failing to do so. The verses also highlight the significance of obedience to God’s laws and the importance of honoring commitments made to others.
Genesis 38:8-10 Commentary and Explanation
Genesis 38:8-10 presents a unique and thought-provoking story in the Bible. In these verses, we encounter Judah, one of Jacob’s sons, as he deals with a challenging situation. To fully appreciate the significance of this passage, we will explore its context and draw connections to other biblical passages.
At this point in the biblical narrative, we have seen Judah’s previous actions, including his role in selling his brother Joseph into slavery (Genesis 37:26-27). Now, we find him in a different situation. Judah tells his son Onan to fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law marriage, which was a cultural practice of the time. This practice was established to ensure the continuation of a deceased brother’s lineage by having his widow marry one of his brothers.
However, when Onan has sexual relations with his brother’s widow, Tamar, he deliberately practices a form of contraception and prevents her from conceiving. This act displeases the Lord, leading to Onan’s death. This raises important theological and ethical questions about Onan’s actions and God’s response.
One key principle that emerges from this passage is the importance of fulfilling one’s familial and cultural obligations. In the case of a levirate marriage, it was essential to preserve the family lineage and provide for the widow. Failing to do so was seen as a dishonor to the deceased and a violation of social norms.
Furthermore, Onan’s actions reflect a deeper issue of selfishness and a disregard for God’s purposes. By practicing contraception and preventing Tamar from conceiving, he prioritizes his own desires over God’s plan for the continuation of the lineage. This raises questions about the motives behind our actions and the consequences they may have.
We can also draw connections to other biblical passages that emphasize the importance of procreation and fulfilling one’s marital duties. In 1 Corinthians 7:3-5, the apostle Paul instructs married couples to fulfill their marital obligations to one another, highlighting the significance of sexual intimacy within marriage.
Additionally, this passage reminds us of the broader theme of God’s sovereignty and His involvement in the lives of individuals. God’s judgment on Onan for his actions serves as a reminder that He holds us accountable for our choices, especially when they go against His divine purposes.
Ultimately, Genesis 38:8-10 presents us with a story that challenges our understanding of cultural norms, family obligations, and individual responsibility. It prompts us to reflect on our own motives and actions and consider the broader biblical principles that guide our lives.
Context of Genesis 38:8-10
The context of Genesis 38:8-10 is the story of Judah and his family. Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel) and played a significant role in the history of the Israelites.
In this specific passage, however, the focus shifts to the narrative of Tamar, his daughter-in-law. The narrative takes place after the sale of Joseph by his brothers and before Joseph’s rise to power in Egypt.
Also Read: Genesis 24 Meaning and Commentary
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Genesis 38:8-10
Genesis 38:8-9a (ESV): “Then Judah said to Onan, ‘Go in to your brother’s wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.’ But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his.”
Judah instructs Onan to fulfill his responsibility as a brother-in-law and provide an heir for his deceased brother.
Genesis 38:9b (ESV): “So whenever he went in to his brother’s wife he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother.”
Onan deliberately avoids conceiving a child by releasing his seed on the ground instead of fulfilling his obligation.
Genesis 38:10 (ESV): “And what he did was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and He put him to death also.”
Onan’s sinful act and refusal to fulfill his familial duty result in divine judgment and his untimely death.
Bible Study on Genesis 38:8-10
The story in Genesis 38:8-10 teaches us several important lessons. Firstly, it illustrates the significance of fulfilling our familial and social responsibilities. In this context, Onan was required to provide an heir for his deceased brother so that his lineage could continue. By refusing to do so, Onan demonstrated his disobedience and disregard for his duty.
Secondly, Onan’s act of wasting his seed reveals the sin of selfishness and lust. Instead of selflessly fulfilling his duty, he focused on his own desires and pleasures. This act was deemed wicked in the sight of the Lord because it went against God’s design for procreation within the sanctity of marriage.
Lastly, these verses emphasize the importance of obedience to God’s laws. God had instituted the practice of levirate marriage, where a brother would marry his deceased brother’s widow to continue the family lineage. Onan’s disobedience to this law resulted in severe consequences, showing us the significance of obeying God’s commands.
Biblical Translations of Genesis 38:8-10
Genesis 38:8-10 King James Version (KJV)
“And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.”
Genesis 38:8-10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“Then Judah said to Onan, ‘Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform your duty as a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.’ Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother’s wife, he wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother. But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord; so He took his life also.”
Genesis 38:8-10 English Standard Version (ESV)
“Then Judah said to Onan, ‘Go in to your brother’s wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.’ But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. So whenever he went in to his brother’s wife he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother. And what he did was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also.”
Genesis 38:8-10 New King James Version (NKJV)
“Then Judah said to Onan, ‘Go in to your brother’s wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.’ But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the Lord; therefore He killed him also.”
Genesis 38:8-10 New Living Translation (NLT)
“Then Judah said to Er’s son Onan, ‘Go and marry Tamar, as our law requires of the brother of a man who has died. You must produce an heir for your brother.’ But Onan was not willing to have a child who would not be his own heir. So whenever he had intercourse with Tamar, he spilled the semen on the ground to keep her from having a baby who would belong to his brother. But the Lord considered it evil for Onan to deny a child to his dead brother. So the Lord took Onan’s life, too.”
Genesis 38:8-10 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
“Judah said to Onan, ‘Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and produce offspring for your brother.’ But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his, so whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he released his semen on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother. What he did was evil in the Lord’s sight, so he put him to death as well.”
Final Thoughts
The story of Judah, Tamar, and Onan reminds us of the importance of fulfilling our responsibilities and honoring our commitments. It teaches us to prioritize the needs of others above our own desires and to obey God’s commands.
We should strive to walk in obedience to His laws, knowing that disobedience can lead to severe consequences. Let us always seek to fulfill our responsibilities with humility and love, honoring the commitments we have made to our families and communities.