Genesis 38:10 - The thing which he did was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and he killed him also.
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What does "Genesis 38:10" mean?
This verse from Genesis 38:10 refers to the story of Onan. To understand the verse, we need some context:
Background: Judah's eldest son, Er, married Tamar but was wicked and killed by God.
Levirate Marriage: The custom of Levirate marriage required Judah's second son, Onan, to marry Tamar and produce offspring in his deceased brother's name. This ensured the continuation of Er's lineage and inheritance.
Onan's Sin: Onan fulfilled the marriage obligation but, knowing the child would not be considered his own, he practiced coitus interruptus (spilled his seed on the ground) to avoid impregnating Tamar.
Interpretation of Genesis 38:10:
"The thing which he did was evil in Yahweh's sight": Onan's action of deliberately preventing Tamar from conceiving to avoid raising an heir for his brother was considered evil by God.
Disobedience: He disobeyed the divine command to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28) and the specific cultural expectation of Levirate marriage, designed to preserve a family line.
Selfishness: His motivation was purely selfish. He didn't want to share his inheritance with his brother's offspring.
Disrespect: He disrespected Tamar by using her only for his own gratification without intending to fulfill his obligations.
"And he killed him also": As a consequence of his evil action, God killed Onan.
Significance and Theological Implications:
Importance of Fulfilling Obligations: The story underscores the importance of fulfilling one's familial and societal obligations, especially those related to procreation and lineage.
Judgment on Selfishness: Onan's story serves as a warning against selfishness and the prioritization of personal gain over duty and compassion.
Divine Sovereignty: God's action demonstrates his sovereignty and judgment over human behavior.
The Continuation of the Lineage: While Onan's actions threatened the continuation of Judah's line (which would eventually lead to King David and Jesus), God ensured the line continued through Tamar's later union with Judah himself.
Note: The specific nature of Onan's sin has been interpreted differently throughout history. Some interpretations focus on the wasting of seed as inherently evil, while others emphasize the violation of the Levirate law and the selfish motivation behind his actions. The primary focus of the text seems to be the latter.
Genesis 38:10 - The thing which he did was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and he killed him also.
What does "Genesis 38:10" mean?
This verse from Genesis 38:10 refers to the story of Onan. To understand the verse, we need some context:
Background: Judah's eldest son, Er, married Tamar but was wicked and killed by God.
Levirate Marriage: The custom of Levirate marriage required Judah's second son, Onan, to marry Tamar and produce offspring in his deceased brother's name. This ensured the continuation of Er's lineage and inheritance.
Onan's Sin: Onan fulfilled the marriage obligation but, knowing the child would not be considered his own, he practiced coitus interruptus (spilled his seed on the ground) to avoid impregnating Tamar.
Interpretation of Genesis 38:10:
"The thing which he did was evil in Yahweh's sight": Onan's action of deliberately preventing Tamar from conceiving to avoid raising an heir for his brother was considered evil by God.
Disobedience: He disobeyed the divine command to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28) and the specific cultural expectation of Levirate marriage, designed to preserve a family line.
Selfishness: His motivation was purely selfish. He didn't want to share his inheritance with his brother's offspring.
Disrespect: He disrespected Tamar by using her only for his own gratification without intending to fulfill his obligations.
"And he killed him also": As a consequence of his evil action, God killed Onan.
Significance and Theological Implications:
Importance of Fulfilling Obligations: The story underscores the importance of fulfilling one's familial and societal obligations, especially those related to procreation and lineage.
Judgment on Selfishness: Onan's story serves as a warning against selfishness and the prioritization of personal gain over duty and compassion.
Divine Sovereignty: God's action demonstrates his sovereignty and judgment over human behavior.
The Continuation of the Lineage: While Onan's actions threatened the continuation of Judah's line (which would eventually lead to King David and Jesus), God ensured the line continued through Tamar's later union with Judah himself.
Note: The specific nature of Onan's sin has been interpreted differently throughout history. Some interpretations focus on the wasting of seed as inherently evil, while others emphasize the violation of the Levirate law and the selfish motivation behind his actions. The primary focus of the text seems to be the latter.