Genesis 38:8
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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Judah's command to Onan isn't just about duty; it's about preserving his brother's name and inheritance. This highlights a profound ancient concern: a person's legacy and identity were deeply tied to their lineage and continuation through offspring.
Following the death of his first two sons, Er and Onan, Judah tries to protect his youngest son, Shelah, by telling Tamar, his daughter-in-law, to return to her father's home. When Judah's wife dies, he travels and encounters Tamar disguised as a prostitute, leading to her pregnancy. This verse records Judah instructing Onan to fulfill his duty as a brother-in-law.
Why did Judah tell Onan he had to marry Tamar? This wasn't just a suggestion; it was a deeply rooted custom. Let's uncover its purpose.
Judah instructs Onan to "go in unto your brother’s wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother." This is the first recorded instance of what's known as the Levirate law.
The Purpose:
This wasn't a new idea invented by Judah; it was a custom that served critical social and familial functions, later formalized in the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 25:5-10).
Onan didn't just say 'no.' He actively defied the command with devastating consequences. What exactly was so wrong with his actions?
Onan did technically marry Tamar, fulfilling the external requirement. However, the text states, 'But when he went in to his brother's wife, he spilled it on the ground, instead of producing offspring for his brother.' This act, known as coitus interruptus, was Onan's rebellion.
The Gravity of His Action:
Understand the original words
yabam · Hebrew Noun
In the ancient Near Eastern context, this term refers to the familial obligation (later codified in the Levirate law) of a brother to marry his deceased brother's widow to provide an heir and preserve the deceased's name and inheritance.
zera' · Hebrew Noun
Descendants or seed; in a biblical context, it frequently refers to the biological line of descent that carries forward a promise, name, or covenantal inheritance.
This passage reveals the ancient custom of the levirate marriage, where a brother was obligated to marry his deceased brother's childless widow to preserve the family line and inheritance. It highlights social and familial obligations that preceded the Mosaic Law and underscores the seriousness with which barrenness and the continuation of a family's name were viewed.
c. 1750 BC
Judah Marries a Canaanite Woman
Judah, son of Jacob, marries the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shuah, despite the general separation from Canaanite society. This union would later be seen as a transgression.
c. 1750 BC
Birth and Death of Er
Judah's firstborn son, Er, is born and later dies, seemingly due to wickedness, as God strikes him down. He is the first of Judah's sons to die prematurely.
c. 1750 BC— this verse
Onan's Refusal of Levirate Marriage
Judah instructs his second son, Onan, to marry his deceased brother Er's widow, Tamar, and produce offspring for Er. Onan refuses this duty, spilling his seed on the ground, and is also struck down by God.
c. 1750 BC
Judah Deceives Tamar
Judah, fearing that his youngest son Shelah would also die, tells Tamar to remain a widow in her father's house. He fails to give her to Shelah when he grows up, breaking his promise.
This passage directly codifies the Levirate law mentioned in Genesis 38:8, making it a foundational text for understanding this ancient custom of a brother marrying his deceased brother's widow.
Ruth 1:11-13Naomi also instructs her remaining son-in-law, Orpah, and then Ruth, to return to their families, highlighting the societal expectation and legal framework surrounding marriage and childbearing within a family line, especially in the absence of male heirs.
Matthew 22:24-25This New Testament account shows the Sadducees testing Jesus about the Levirate law, demonstrating its continued relevance and the theological questions it raised about resurrection and family lineage.
1 Corinthians 15:42-44While not a direct parallel, this passage speaks to the resurrection of the body, offering a contrast to the earthly, physical concerns of lineage and inheritance that drive the Levirate law, pointing to a greater spiritual reality.
calvinGenesis 38:1-30: "And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah."
Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
Et dixit Jehudah ad Thamar nurum suam, Mane vidua in domo patris tui, donec crescat Selah filius meus: dicebat…
pooleGenesis 38:8: "And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother."
This, as also divers other things, was now instituted and observed amongst God’s people, and afterwards was expressed in a written law, Deu 25:5,6 . See also Numbers 36:6,7 Rth 1:11 Matthew 22:24 . Raise up seed to thy brother; beget a child which may have thy brother’s name and inheritance, and may be reputed as his child. So it was with the first child, but the rest were r…
Judah's command to Onan isn't just about duty; it's about preserving his brother's name and inheritance. This highlights a profound ancient concern: a person's legacy and identity were deeply tied to their lineage and continuation through offspring.
Following the death of his first two sons, Er and Onan, Judah tries to protect his youngest son, Shelah, by telling Tamar, his daughter-in-law, to return to her father's home. When Judah's wife dies, he travels and encounters Tamar disguised as a prostitute, leading to her pregnancy. This verse records Judah instructing Onan to fulfill his duty as a brother-in-law.
Following the death of his first two sons, Er and Onan, Judah tries to protect his youngest son, Shelah, by telling Tamar, his daughter-in-law, to return to her father's home. When Judah's wife dies, he travels and encounters Tamar disguised as a prostitute, leading to her pregnancy. This verse records Judah instructing Onan to fulfill his duty as a brother-in-law.
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Onan's sin wasn't merely disobedience; it was a deliberate act of thwarting God's plan and showing contempt for life and family legacy, leading to his immediate judgment.
c. 1748 BC
Tamar's Deception of Judah
Disguised as a prostitute, Tamar seduces Judah to conceive children, as Judah had denied her to his son Shelah. She secures his signet, cord, and staff as pledges.
c. 1747 BC
Birth of Perez and Zerah
Tamar gives birth to twins, Perez and Zerah, confirming Judah's transgression. The lineage of the Messiah will eventually come through Perez.
"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.”" — Judah's command to Onan isn't just about duty; it's about preserving his brother's name and inheritance. This highlights a profound ancient concern: a person's legacy and identity were deeply tied to…
