What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well. What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD,Onan knowingly refused the duty Judah had assigned him to raise up an heir for his dead brother through Tamar. Though he took the privileges of marriage, he deliberately withheld the offspring that would preserve Er’s name and secure Tamar’s place within the family. The later law of levirate marriage required a surviving brother to protect his brother’s inheritance and widow (Deuteronomy 25:5–10). Onan’s sin involved selfishness, deception, and contempt for the family responsibilities through which God preserved the promised line. 1Ki 11:6 So Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD;… so He put Onan to death as well. Onan followed his brother Er in receiving immediate divine judgment for persistent wickedness. God’s action revealed His concern for righteousness within Judah’s household and for the vulnerable Tamar, whose future was being denied. The judgment also warned Israel that covenant responsibilities could not be treated lightly. Yet God would later bring grace out of this broken family: Tamar became an ancestor of David and of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:3). Lev 10:1-2 Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers,… Persons / Places / Events 1. OnanThe second son of Judah, who was instructed to perform the duty of a brother-in-law to Tamar, his deceased brother's wife, by providing offspring for his brother. 2. Judah The father of Onan, a patriarch of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, who plays a significant role in the account of Genesis 38. 3. Tamar The widow of Er, Onan's brother, who was to be given offspring through Onan according to the custom of levirate marriage. 4. The LORD The covenant God of Israel, who judges Onan's actions as wicked. 5. Levirate Marriage A cultural practice in ancient Israel where a man was required to marry his deceased brother's widow to produce offspring in his brother's name. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinOnan's actions were not just a personal failure but a direct disobedience to God's covenantal expectations. This reminds us of the gravity of sin and its consequences. God's Justice The swift judgment on Onan underscores God's commitment to justice and righteousness. It serves as a reminder that God sees and judges the intentions of the heart. Faithfulness to Duty Onan's refusal to fulfill his duty to Tamar highlights the importance of faithfulness and integrity in our responsibilities, especially those that impact others. The Role of Intentions Onan's actions were judged not just by what he did, but by the intentions behind them. This teaches us to examine our motives in our actions. God's Sovereign Plan Despite human failure, God's purposes prevail. Tamar's inclusion in the lineage of Christ shows God's ability to work through imperfect situations. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Onan's account teach us about the importance of fulfilling our responsibilities, especially in family and community contexts?2. How does the concept of levirate marriage in Genesis 38 relate to the broader biblical theme of redemption and restoration? 3. In what ways can we ensure that our intentions align with our actions, and why is this important in our walk with God? 4. How does the account of Onan and Tamar challenge us to consider the consequences of our actions and the seriousness of sin? 5. Reflect on a time when you saw God's justice or mercy in a situation. How does this account of Onan help you understand God's character better? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 25:5-10This passage outlines the law of levirate marriage, which provides context for Onan's obligation to Tamar. Matthew 1:3 This genealogy of Jesus includes Tamar, highlighting her significance in the lineage of Christ despite the events of Genesis 38. Romans 6:23 This verse speaks to the consequences of sin, which is relevant to understanding the judgment that fell upon Onan. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 This passage lists behaviors that are considered unrighteous, providing a broader biblical context for understanding what is deemed wicked in God's sight.
People Canaanitish, Er, Hirah, Onan, Perez, Pharez, Shelah, Shua, Shuah, Tamar, Timnah, Zarah, ZerahPlaces Chezib, Enaim, TimnahTopics Brother, Death, Displeased, Displeasing, Evil, Killed, Lord's, Putteth, Sight, Slew, WhereforeDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 38:6-11 5681 family, nature of Library Because, Therefore, Lying Heretics Find not in the Books of the New Testament Any...29. Because, therefore, lying heretics find not in the books of the New Testament any precedents of lying which are meet to be imitated, they esteem themselves to be most copious in their disputation wherein they opine that it is right to lie, when from the old prophetical books, because it doth not appear therein, save to the few who understand, to what must be referred the significative sayings and doings which as such be true, they seem to themselves to find out and allege many that be lies. But … St. Augustine—Against Lying Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus. Annunciation to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus. Genesis Links Genesis 38:10 NIVGenesis 38:10 NLT Genesis 38:10 ESV Genesis 38:10 NASB Genesis 38:10 KJV Genesis 38:10 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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