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Genesis 38 General Notes
Structure and formatting
This chapter focuses on Jacob's son Judah.
Special concepts in this chapter
"Spilling his seed"
Onan was to provide for his brother's widow and give her an heir. This phrase indicates that he used Tamar to fulfill his own sexual desires rather than help her. This was sinful. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism and rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin)
God preserves Judah's line
The Canaanite woman, Tamar, deceived her father-in-law, Judah, into having sexual relations with her. If it had not been for this act, Judah would not have any descendants to carry on his family line. Although her actions were wrong, God used them to protect his people. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/peopleofgod)