Genesis 38:8

KJV

And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Judah {H3063} said {H559} unto Onan {H209}, Go in {H935} unto thy brother's {H251} wife {H802}, and marry {H2992} her, and raise up {H6965} seed {H2233} to thy brother {H251}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hudah said to Onan, "Go and sleep with your brother's wife - perform the duty of a husband's brother to her, and preserve your brother's line of descent."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.”

American Standard Version

And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother unto her, and raise up seed to thy brother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 38:8 records Judah's explicit command to his second son, Onan, to fulfill the ancient custom of levirate marriage by taking his deceased elder brother Er's wife, Tamar, and "raising up seed" for Er. This instruction is a pivotal moment in the narrative, illustrating the deep-seated societal and familial obligation to preserve a deceased brother's lineage and inheritance, even before the formal codification of such laws in Israelite jurisprudence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a significant narrative interlude (Genesis 38) that temporarily shifts focus from the main storyline of Joseph and his brothers. This chapter serves several crucial literary functions: it highlights Judah's character development, foreshadows the prominence of his lineage in the patriarchal narrative, and demonstrates the challenges and complexities of family life, succession, and moral responsibility within the early Israelite context. The events of this chapter, including Judah's command to Onan, immediately follow Joseph's sale into slavery, providing a stark contrast to the unfolding divine plan for Joseph while subtly advancing the broader covenantal narrative through Judah's line.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Genesis 38:8 reflects the widespread ancient Near Eastern custom of levirate marriage, known in Hebrew as *yibbum* (from the root `יבם`, meaning "to perform the duty of a husband's brother"). While later formalized in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 25:5-10](/deuteronomy/25-5-10 "The Law of Levirate Marriage")), its appearance here demonstrates its pre-Mosaic origins as an established social norm. The primary purpose of this custom was to prevent the extinction of a family line, particularly when a man died childless. Without an heir, his name would perish, and his inheritance, especially land, would be lost to his immediate family. The surviving brother's duty was to ensure the deceased's name and property continued through an heir who would legally be considered the deceased's offspring.
* **Key Themes:** The command to Onan in [Genesis 38](/genesis/38 "Judah and Tamar") contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **importance of lineage and inheritance**, particularly within the patriarchal covenant, where the promise of a "seed" (offspring) is central to God's plan for Israel and, ultimately, for humanity. Secondly, it highlights **family duty and social obligation**, emphasizing the responsibilities individuals held within their kinship groups to uphold tradition and ensure continuity. Lastly, the chapter, including this verse, subtly introduces the theme of **divine providence working through human complexity and moral failure**, as God's plan for the promised "seed" (the Messiah) continues to unfold despite the flawed actions of individuals like Judah and Onan. This theme is further explored in later narratives, such as the story of [Ruth and Boaz](/ruth/4 "Ruth's Redemption and Lineage"), which explicitly references the levirate custom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **marry (Hebrew, _yâbam'_ - H2992):** This primitive root, used only as a denominative from `יָבָם` (yabam, "brother-in-law"), specifically means "to marry a (deceased) brother's widow" or "to perform the duty of a husband's brother." It denotes the unique and legally binding obligation of levirate marriage, distinct from a general marriage, emphasizing the specific familial duty involved.
* **raise up (Hebrew, _qûwm'_ - H6965):** This primitive root signifies "to rise" or "to cause to stand." In this context, combined with "seed," it means "to establish," "to set up," or "to cause to endure." It conveys the active and intentional effort required to perpetuate the deceased brother's line, ensuring his name and legacy would not be extinguished.
* **seed (Hebrew, _zeraʻ'_ - H2233):** From the root `זָרַע` (zaraʻ, "to sow"), this noun literally means "seed." Figuratively, it refers to offspring, progeny, or posterity. In Genesis 38:8, "seed" is not merely any child but a specific heir who would legally carry on the deceased brother Er's name and inherit his portion, thus preserving his identity within the tribal structure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Judah said unto Onan,"**: This opening clause establishes Judah's authority as the patriarch and the one issuing the command. It highlights the direct, personal nature of the instruction, underscoring the weight of familial expectation and responsibility placed upon Onan by his father.
* **"Go in unto thy brother's wife,"**: This phrase is a common biblical idiom for engaging in sexual intercourse, specifically within the context of marriage or a recognized union. It signifies the expectation that Onan would consummate the marriage with Tamar, his deceased brother Er's widow, as the necessary step for procreation.
* **"and marry her,"**: This command directly instructs Onan to formalize the union with Tamar under the custom of levirate marriage. It implies not just cohabitation but a legally recognized marital bond, which carried with it specific rights and obligations for both parties, particularly concerning the raising of an heir.
* **"and raise up seed to thy brother."**: This is the core purpose of Judah's command and the essence of levirate marriage. The phrase "raise up seed" (Hebrew: `הָקֵם זֶרַע`, *haqem zera*) means to establish or cause to stand up offspring. The crucial detail is "to thy brother," meaning the child born from this union would legally be considered the son of the deceased Er, not Onan. This ensured the continuation of Er's name, lineage, and inheritance rights within the family.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Direct Command** to convey Judah's authoritative instruction to Onan, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of the familial duty. The phrase "Go in unto thy brother's wife" functions as a **Euphemism** for sexual intercourse, common in biblical texts, which maintains decorum while clearly indicating the expected action. Furthermore, the entire command serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as Onan's subsequent refusal to fulfill this duty (Genesis 38:9) and its consequences become central to the narrative's unfolding and Judah's own moral development. The repetition of "thy brother" also highlights the central **Theme** of fraternal obligation and the preservation of lineage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 38:8 powerfully illustrates the profound biblical emphasis on lineage, inheritance, and the preservation of a family's name. In a society where identity and covenant promises were intimately tied to one's descendants, the continuation of a family line was not merely a social custom but often held theological significance. This verse, though set in a complex and morally ambiguous narrative, underscores God's sovereign commitment to His covenantal promises, which are often traced through specific family lines. Even amidst human failures and deviations, God's overarching plan for the "seed" of Abraham, and ultimately the Messiah, continues to unfold. The levirate custom, while earthly in its function, points to a divine concern for continuity and the provision for the vulnerable, especially widows, ensuring their place and security within the community.

* [Deuteronomy 25:5-10](/deuteronomy/25-5-10 "The Law of Levirate Marriage")
* [Ruth 4:10](/ruth/4-10 "Boaz's Redemption and the Continuation of Lineage")
* [Matthew 22:23-33](/matthew/22-23-33 "The Sadducees' Question about the Resurrection and Levirate Marriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific practice of levirate marriage is not a contemporary societal norm, Genesis 38:8 presents enduring principles for reflection and application. It calls us to consider the profound importance of **legacy** – not just material inheritance, but the spiritual heritage we pass on. How do our actions today contribute to the "raising up of seed" in a spiritual sense, nurturing faith and godly character in future generations? The passage also highlights the biblical call to **familial responsibility** and the **care for vulnerable members** of our communities, particularly those who may be marginalized or without support. Onan's failure reminds us that duty, when performed with selfish motives or neglect, can have severe consequences. This narrative encourages believers to live with integrity, fulfilling their obligations, and trusting in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances are challenging or unclear.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do you see the principle of "raising up seed" (spiritually or relationally) applicable in your own life or community today?**
* **How does this passage challenge your understanding of familial duty and responsibility within a faith context?**
* **What lessons can be drawn from Onan's failure to fulfill his obligation, regarding the importance of selfless obedience?**

### FAQ
**What is levirate marriage?**

Answer: Levirate marriage (from Latin *levir*, "brother-in-law"; Hebrew *yibbum*) is an ancient custom, practiced in the Near East and later codified in Israelite law, where a man marries his deceased, childless brother's widow. The purpose is to produce an heir who will legally be considered the deceased brother's son, thus preserving his name, lineage, and inheritance. This practice is notably seen in [Deuteronomy 25:5-10](/deuteronomy/25-5-10 "The Law of Levirate Marriage") and exemplified in the story of [Ruth and Boaz](/ruth/4 "Ruth's Redemption").

**Why was it so important to "raise up seed" for the deceased brother?**

Answer: In ancient patriarchal societies, a man's identity, social standing, and connection to the land and covenant promises were intrinsically linked to his lineage. Dying without an heir meant his name would effectively vanish from the family line, and his inheritance, often including ancestral land, would be lost. The act of "raising up seed" ensured the continuation of the deceased's name and the preservation of his property rights, maintaining his place within the tribal and familial structure. It was a matter of honor, legacy, and economic stability for the family unit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 38:8, with its emphasis on the critical importance of preserving a family line, points profoundly toward the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The meticulous record of genealogies throughout Scripture, particularly the tracing of the lineage of Judah (from whom the Messiah would come), underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, first given to Abraham concerning his "seed" ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise to Abraham")). Even through the complexities, moral failures, and human customs depicted in this chapter, God sovereignly preserved the very lineage that would ultimately lead to the birth of the "seed of the woman" ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium: The Seed of the Woman")) who would crush the serpent's head. The earthly levirate law, designed to "raise up seed" for a deceased brother, foreshadows Christ's divine work: He, as our heavenly "Brother" ([Hebrews 2:11-12](/hebrews/2-11-12 "Christ Our Brother")), raises up a spiritual "seed" for God, bringing many "sons to glory" ([Hebrews 2:10](/hebrews/2-10 "Bringing Many Sons to Glory")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus ensures an eternal inheritance and a spiritual lineage for all who are united to Him by faith, fulfilling the promise that in Abraham's "seed" (who is Christ, [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Seed is Christ")), all nations would be blessed.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 22:23

¶ The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

Matthew 22:27

And last of all the woman died also.

Deuteronomy 25:5

¶ If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.

Deuteronomy 25:10

And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.

Ruth 4:5

Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy [it] also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.

Ruth 4:11

And all the people that [were] in the gate, and the elders, said, [We are] witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

Leviticus 18:16

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it [is] thy brother's nakedness.