CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 38:10 What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/38-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/01_Gen_38_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 38:10 - Judah and Tamar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/38-10.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/38-10.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/38.htm">Chapter 38</a> > Verse 10</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/38-9.htm" title="Genesis 38:9">◄</a> Genesis 38:10 <a href="/genesis/38-11.htm" title="Genesis 38:11">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/38.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />What he did was wicked in the LORD&#8217s sight; so the LORD put him to death also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/38.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But the LORD considered it evil for Onan to deny a child to his dead brother. So the LORD took Onan’s life, too.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/38.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And what he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and he put him to death also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/38.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/38.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the thing which he did displeased the LORD; therefore He killed him also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/38.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the LORD; so He took his life also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the LORD; so He took his life also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/38.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the LORD; so He took his life also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/38.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But what he did was displeasing in the sight of Yahweh; so He put him to death also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/38.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the LORD; therefore He killed him also [in judgment].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/38.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What he did was evil in the LORD’s sight, so he put him to death also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/38.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What he did was evil in the LORD&#8217s sight, so He put him to death also. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/38.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the thing which he did was evil in the sight of Jehovah: and he slew him also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/38.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD wasn't pleased with Onan and took his life too. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/38.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the thing which he did was evil in the sight of the LORD: and he slew him also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/38.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />What Onan did angered the LORD so much that the LORD took away Onan's life too.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/38.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />What he did displeased the LORD, and the LORD killed him also. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/38.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD considered what Onan was doing to be evil, so he put him to death, too.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/38.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/38.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />What he did was evil in the LORD's sight, so the LORD killed him too. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/38.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And what he did was evil in the sight of God, so he killed him also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/38.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/38.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The thing which he did was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and he killed him also. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/38.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and that which he has done is evil in the eyes of YHWH, and He puts him also to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/38.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and that which he hath done is evil in the eyes of Jehovah, and He putteth him also to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/38.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it will be evil in the eyes of Jehovah, what he did, and he will kill him also.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/38.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And therefore the Lord slew him, be- cause he did a detestable thing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/38.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And for this reason, the Lord struck him down, because he did a detestable thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/38.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What he did greatly offended the LORD, and the LORD took his life too.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/38.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />What he did was displeasing in the sight of the LORD, and he put him to death also.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/38.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the thing which he did was displeasing in the sight of the LORD; wherefore he slew him also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/38.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And what he did was evil before LORD JEHOVAH, and he put him to death, even him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/38.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the thing which he did was evil in the sight of the LORD; and He slew him also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/38.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And his doing this appeared evil before God; and he slew him also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/38-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=9696" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">Judah and Tamar</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">9</span>But Onan knew that the offspring would not belong to him; so whenever he would sleep with his brother’s wife, he would spill his seed on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">What</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">he did</a> <a href="/hebrew/7489.htm" title="7489: way·yê·ra‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to spoil; figuratively, to make good for nothing, i.e. Bad.">was wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·nê (Prep-b:: N-cdc) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">in the sight</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: way·yā·meṯ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">so He put Onan to death</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">as well.</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/20-13.htm">Leviticus 20:13</a></span><br />If a man lies with a man as with a woman, they have both committed an abomination. They must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-10</a></span><br />When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. / But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/26-19.htm">Numbers 26:19</a></span><br />The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but they died in the land of Canaan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/2-3.htm">1 Chronicles 2:3</a></span><br />The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-25.htm">1 Samuel 2:25</a></span><br />If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/6-7.htm">2 Samuel 6:7</a></span><br />And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-9.htm">2 Samuel 12:9-10</a></span><br />Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites. / Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-18.htm">2 Kings 17:18</a></span><br />So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and He removed them from His presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-31.htm">Psalm 78:31</a></span><br />God’s anger flared against them, and He put to death their strongest and subdued the young men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-19</a></span><br />There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4</a></span><br />Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-15.htm">Malachi 2:15-16</a></span><br />Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. / “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-3.htm">Matthew 1:3</a></span><br />Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-24.htm">Matthew 22:24</a></span><br />“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-19.htm">Mark 12:19</a></span><br />“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: why he slew him also.</p><p class="hdg">displeased.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/11-1.htm">Numbers 11:1</a></b></br> And <i>when</i> the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard <i>it</i>; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed <i>them that were</i> in the uttermost parts of the camp.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/22-34.htm">Numbers 22:34</a></b></br> And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/11-27.htm">2 Samuel 11:27</a></b></br> And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">him also.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/46-12.htm">Genesis 46:12</a></b></br> And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/26-19.htm">Numbers 26:19</a></b></br> The sons of Judah <i>were</i> Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/38-7.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/28-8.htm">Displeased</a> <a href="/genesis/31-36.htm">Displeasing</a> <a href="/genesis/38-7.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/genesis/38-7.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/genesis/38-7.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/genesis/38-7.htm">Life</a> <a href="/genesis/37-34.htm">Putteth</a> <a href="/genesis/38-7.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/genesis/38-7.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/genesis/32-29.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/genesis/38-7.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/40-22.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/48-17.htm">Displeased</a> <a href="/genesis/45-5.htm">Displeasing</a> <a href="/genesis/39-9.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/genesis/39-4.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/genesis/49-6.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/genesis/42-15.htm">Life</a> <a href="/genesis/38-19.htm">Putteth</a> <a href="/genesis/39-4.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/genesis/49-6.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/genesis/38-29.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/genesis/44-5.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 38</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-1.htm">Judah begets Er, Onan, and Shelah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-6.htm">Er's marriage with Tamar, and death.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-8.htm">The trespass of Onan.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-11.htm">Tamar is reserved for Shelah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-12.htm">Judah's wife dies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-13.htm">Tamar deceives Judah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/38-27.htm">She bears twins, Pharez and Zarah.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/38.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/38.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD</b><br>The phrase highlights the moral and ethical standards that God holds His people to, as seen throughout the Old Testament. In the context of <a href="/genesis/38.htm">Genesis 38</a>, Onan's actions were considered wicked because he deliberately disobeyed the levirate marriage custom, which was later codified in <a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-10</a>. This custom was designed to preserve the family line and inheritance, reflecting the importance of family and lineage in ancient Israelite society. Onan's refusal to fulfill his duty to his deceased brother by providing offspring for Tamar was seen as a direct affront to God's covenantal promises to Abraham's descendants. This act of disobedience is a reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin and the importance of obedience to His commands.<p><b>so He put Onan to death as well</b><br>The immediate divine judgment on Onan underscores the principle that God is just and will not tolerate sin. This mirrors other instances in Scripture where God directly intervenes to uphold His holiness, such as the deaths of Nadab and Abihu in <a href="/leviticus/10.htm">Leviticus 10:1-2</a> and Ananias and Sapphira in <a href="/acts/5.htm">Acts 5:1-11</a>. The phrase "as well" connects Onan's fate to that of his brother Er, who was also put to death for his wickedness, emphasizing the pattern of divine retribution for sin. This serves as a warning to the Israelites and to readers of the Bible about the consequences of disobedience and the seriousness of God's judgment. It also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and redemption through Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and offers grace and forgiveness for sin.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/o/onan.htm">Onan</a></b><br>The 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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The father of Onan, a patriarch of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, who plays a significant role in the account of <a href="/bsb/genesis/38.htm">Genesis 38</a>.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/tamar.htm">Tamar</a></b><br>The widow of Er, Onan's brother, who was to be given offspring through Onan according to the custom of levirate marriage.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who judges Onan's actions as wicked.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/l/levirate_marriage.htm">Levirate Marriage</a></b><br>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.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_sin.htm">The Seriousness of Sin</a></b><br>Onan'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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice.htm">God's Justice</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_duty.htm">Faithfulness to Duty</a></b><br>Onan's refusal to fulfill his duty to Tamar highlights the importance of faithfulness and integrity in our responsibilities, especially those that impact others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_intentions.htm">The Role of Intentions</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereign_plan.htm">God's Sovereign Plan</a></b><br>Despite human failure, God's purposes prevail. Tamar's inclusion in the lineage of Christ shows God's ability to work through imperfect situations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_38.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 38</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_genesis_38_fit_biblical_ethics.htm">In Genesis 38 overall, how does this morally complex story align with the broader biblical narrative on sexual ethics and lineage preservation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_happened_to_tamar_in_the_bible.htm">What happened to Tamar in the biblical narrative?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_was_onan_punished_but_not_judah.htm">In Genesis 38:1–11, why would God punish Onan’s refusal to father children for Tamar so severely, yet no comparable punishment is shown for Judah’s neglect of her? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_chr_2_3-4_align_with_gen_38.htm">How does 1 Chronicles 2:3–4 align with Genesis 38 regarding Judah and Tamar’s lineage, and does it create inconsistencies? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/38-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">What</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he did</span><br /><span class="heb">עָשָׂ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·śāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was evil</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֛רַע</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·ra‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7489.htm">Strong's 7489: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the LORD’s</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sight,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעֵינֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘ê·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - cdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so He put [Onan] to death</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֖מֶת</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·meṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as well.</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּם־</span> <span class="translit">(gam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/38-10.htm">Genesis 38:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/38-10.htm">Genesis 38:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/38-10.htm">Genesis 38:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/38-10.htm">Genesis 38:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/38-10.htm">Genesis 38:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/38-10.htm">Genesis 38:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/38-10.htm">Genesis 38:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/38-10.htm">Genesis 38:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/38-10.htm">Genesis 38:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/38-10.htm">Genesis 38:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/38-10.htm">OT Law: Genesis 38:10 The thing which he did was evil (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/38-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 38:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/38-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 38:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 38:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>