King James Version

What Does Genesis 38:10 Mean?

Genesis 38:10 in the King James Version says “And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also. displeased: Heb. was evil in the eyes of the...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also. displeased: Heb. was evil in the eyes of the Lord”

Genesis 38:10 · KJV

Context

8

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

9

And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.

10

And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also. displeased: Heb. was evil in the eyes of the Lord

11

Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.

12

And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. in process: Heb. the days were multiplied

Read Genesis 38 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וַיֵּ֛רַע1 of 8
H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

בְּעֵינֵ֥י2 of 8
H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יְהוָ֖ה3 of 8

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 8

“And the thing which”

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֑ה5 of 8

“he did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וַיָּ֖מֶת6 of 8

“wherefore he slew”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

גַּם7 of 8
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֹתֽוֹ׃8 of 8
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 38:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 38:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 11:1Genesis 46:12Numbers 26:19Proverbs 14:321 Chronicles 21:72 Samuel 11:27

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 38 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 38 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes