As I read the (very short) story of Onan, it turns out that his sin is not one of masturbation, but of pulling out. But as I said, it’s a short story. Onan gets three sentences, including the one where the Lord is displeased, and slays him. Still, he gets more airtime than his older brother Er, who is wicked in an unspecified way, and slain.

Later, Tamar, twice daughter-in-law of Judah, pretends to be a prostitute for Judah. When she becomes pregnant, Judah declares she should be burnt. All is forgiven when he learns it’s his own child. It’s a pretty big double standard.

After the interlude with slain brothers, a conniving daughter-in-law, and an almost roast, we get back to the story of Joseph. He’s been sold into slavery, but he’s so well-loved by the Lord, he can do no wrong, and his master puts him in charge of the house. When he rebuffs his master’s wife’s advances, she frames him and has him sent to prison. There, he interprets dreams, and is noticed the Pharaoh’s cup bearer. When Pharaoh has bad dreams, his cup bearer tells about Joseph, who becomes lord high mucky-muck.

Eventually, Joseph’s brothers come to buy grain. Joseph torments them, and then relents. All’s well that ends well.

So what is the purpose of this story? It’s far longer than anything seen so far, including God flooding the land and killing humanity. But all we have is a bunch of brothers jealous of their youngest brother, who is taken care of by God, and forgives them in the end.

Maybe I just don’t get the point.

Next: Genesis 46-47