9 Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother's wife , he wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother . 10 But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord ; so He took his life also .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 38:9-10
Chapter Contents
The profligate conduct of Judah and his family.
This chapter gives an account of Judah and his family, and such an account it is, that it seems a wonder that of all Jacob's sons, our Lord should spring out of Judah, John 8:41. What awful examples the Lord proclaims in his punishments, of his utter displeasure at sin! Let us seek grace from God to avoid every appearance of sin. And let that state of humbleness to which Jesus submitted, when he came to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, in appointing such characters as those here recorded, to be his ancestors, endear the Redeemer to our hearts.