Final answer:
The younger brother, Onan, faced a decision that affected his inheritance: to provide an heir for his deceased older brother and receive a smaller share, or retain his status as oldest surviving son for a larger portion of the inheritance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the actions of a younger brother concerning his inheritance. The information provided seems to relate to historical or cultural practices regarding inheritance and laws governing it rather than a specific narrative or storyline. It suggests aspects of ancient legal practices and family dynamics.
Considering the practices described, the younger brother, Onan, recognized that any son he provided for his deceased older brother would inherit the older brother's estate and outrank him. Onan was faced with the choice of fulfilling his duty by providing an heir and receiving a smaller portion of the inheritance or retaining a larger share by not providing an heir and being considered the oldest surviving son. The broader context describes the importance of inheritance for maintaining family status and prosperity, the settling of commercial disputes, and cultural expectations of propriety and kinship responsibilities.