Genesis 38
This chapter explores the story of Onan and how his sin was not about sexuality, but about selfishness, injustice, and a failure to serve with integrity. This passage explores themes of family, responsibility, and justice within the context of ancient Israelite society. It invites readers to consider serving others with honesty and an open heart, not for show.
Summary
Judah leaves his brothers and settles in Adullam, where he marries the daughter of a Canaanite named Shua. Judah has three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. He arranges a marriage between his eldest son, Er, and a woman named Tamar. However, Er is evil in the sight of the Lord and dies.
Following the custom in Israel at that time, Judah instructs his second son, Onan, to marry Tamar and produce offspring to continue Er’s lineage. Onan, however, refuses to fulfill his duty and intentionally prevents Tamar from having children. Because of this, Onan also displeases the Lord and dies.
Judah, fearing for his third son’s life, delays Tamar’s marriage to Shelah. Years later, Tamar disguises herself as a prostitute and waits for Judah by the roadside. She is feeling wronged and determined to secure her rights. Judah, not recognizing her, sleeps with her and promises a young goat as payment, leaving his seal, cord, and staff as collateral.
When Tamar’s pregnancy becomes known, Judah initially calls for her to be punished. However, Tamar produces Judah’s items, proving he is the father. Judah acknowledges his wrongdoing in withholding Shelah and declares, “She is more righteous than I.” Tamar gives birth to twins, Perez and Zerah, continuing Judah’s lineage.
Sidebar
Sexuality
A new term I learned when researching Onan’s sin in this passage is Onanism. One of the definitions of Onanism is the gratification or satisfaction of one’s own needs or desires. Old-school scholars interpreted Onan’s sin to mean that contraception should be forbidden. Various religions differ on this topic, but Catholics believe that every act of intercourse should be open to conception; therefore, any type of obstruction to conception, including coitus interruptus, is considered wrong. As a Catholic, I’m not sure I agree with this interpretation of this reading.
In ancient Israelite culture, if a man died without children, his brother was expected to marry the widow and produce offspring in the deceased brother’s name. This practice preserved the family line and protected the widow from destitution. A noble ancient law, for sure.
After his brother Er died, Onan was instructed by his father Judah to fulfill this duty with Tamar. However, Onan intentionally avoided conception by practicing coitus interruptus (“spilling his seed on the ground”), because he knew the child would not be considered his and would arguably threaten his inheritance.
Selfishness
In my view, the sin wasn’t necessarily that Onan engaged in coitus interruptus. Rather, Onan’s act was a direct refusal to honor his brother’s legacy and Tamar’s rights. He used her sexually while denying her the dignity and security of motherhood. By avoiding fathering a child for his brother, Onan ensured that he would receive a larger share of the inheritance. His actions were driven by selfishness at the expense of justice. In the biblical worldview, lineage, justice, and care for the vulnerable (like widows) were sacred. Onan’s deceitful behavior was seen as a rejection of these values, and “what he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord, and He slew him also” (Genesis 38:10).
Intention
If you are called upon to help or fulfill an obligation, try to go into it with integrity and an open heart. When we serve with integrity and not selfishness or appearance, we don’t just fulfill a duty, we grow as a human being. Don’t go through the motions for performance, go into it with love and grace.
