Genesis 38:10

10 The thing which he did was evil in the sight of the LORD, and he killed him also.

Genesis 38:10 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 38:10

And the thing which he did displeased the Lord
Being done out of envy to his brother, and through want of affection to the memory of his name; and it may be out of covetousness to get his estate into his own hands, and especially as it frustrated the end of such an usage of marrying a brother's wife; which appears to be according to the will of God, since it afterwards became a known law of his; and it was the more displeasing, as it was not only a check upon the multiplication of Abraham's seed as promised, but since the Messiah was to come from Judah. This was doing all to hinder it that lay in his power: wherefore he slew him also;
in like manner as he had slain his brother, ( Genesis 38:7 ) .

Genesis 38:10 In-Context

8 Yehudah said to Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her, and raise up seed to your brother."

9 Onan knew that the seed wouldn't be his; and it happened, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother.

10 The thing which he did was evil in the sight of the LORD, and he killed him also.

11 Then Yehudah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, "Remain a widow in your father's house, until Shelach, my son, is grown up;" for he said, "Lest he also die, like his brothers." Tamar went and lived in her father's house.

12 After many days, Shu`a's daughter, the wife of Yehudah, died. Yehudah was comforted, and went up to his sheep-shearers to Timnah, he and his friend Hirah, the `Adullami.