Genesis 38:1-9 ▼

1 At that time, Judah went down from his brothers, and visited a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.

2 There, Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite man named Shua. He took her, and went in to her.

3 She conceived, and bore a son; and he named him Er.

4 She conceived again, and bore a son; and she named him Onan.

5 She yet again bore a son, and named him Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him.

6 Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.

7 Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in Yahweh’s sight. So Yahweh killed him.

8 Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.”

9 Onan knew that the offspring wouldn’t be his; and when he went in to his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground, lest he should give offspring to his brother.