The implication from the narrative is that Onan's act as described is what gave rise to divine displeasure. The next statement in the Bible says that Onan did evil and that God slew him. ![]() When Onan had sex with Tamar, he withdrew before he ejaculated and "spilled his seed on the ground", since any child born would not legally be considered his heir. ![]() However, if Er were childless or only had daughters, Onan would have inherited as the oldest surviving son. Religion professor Tikva Frymer-Kensky has pointed out the economic repercussions of a levirate marriage: any son born to Tamar would be deemed the heir of the deceased Er and could claim the firstborn's double share of an inheritance. ![]() After God slew Onan's brother Er, Onan's father Judah told him to fulfill his duty to his brother by entering into a levirate marriage with his brother's widow Tamar to give her offspring.
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