Genesis 38:9

Translations

Modern

But Onan knew that the offspring would not belong to him; so whenever he would sleep with his brother’s wife, he would spill his seed on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother.

Traditional

And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.

Literal

And Onan knew that the seed would not belong to him. And it came to pass, when he went in to the wife of his brother, that he destroyed it on the earth, so that he would not give seed to his brother.

Latin

Ille sciens non sibi nasci filios, introiens ad uxorem fratris sui, semen fundebat in terram, ne liberi fratris nomine nascerentur.

Original

Hebrew

English

But Onan knew that the offspring would not belong to him; so whenever he would sleep with his brother’s wife, he would spill his seed on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother.

Notes

Genesis 38:9–10

Onan married Tamar, but he was not willing to provide an heir for his brother. He had sexual relations with Tamar, but he did not fulfill his duty to his dead brother (38:8).

Genesis 38:7–10

This story describes the Lord as the sovereign judge who ended the lives of Judah's wicked sons.

Genesis 38:1–30

The story of Judah and Tamar is a carefully placed break in the larger story. It shows what was happening in Judah’s family. Judah would later become an important leader. The story also shows the early stages of the family mixing with the people of the land. This helps explain why God sent the family to Egypt (chapters 39–47).

The Egyptians kept themselves separate from other peoples (43:32). Because of that, the Israelites were more likely to keep their own identity in Egypt than in Canaan.

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Judah Human Sexuality Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Titus 3:3
For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Deuteronomy 25:6
The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.
James 3:16
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
James 4:5
Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?
Ruth 4:10
Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home. You are witnesses today.”
Proverbs 27:4
Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
James 3:14
But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
Job 5:2
For resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.
Ruth 1:11
But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands?

Parallels

1 Chronicles 2:3–4

People

Onan: Son of Judah

Glossary

Adullam, Adullamite Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Genesis, Book of Jacob Judah (Person) Onan Patriarchs, Period of the Shua Shuah Tamar (Person)

Topics

Adultery: Judah Inheritance: Provisions for Inheritance Under Levirate Marriages Tamar: Wife of the Sons of Judah

Genesis 38:9

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?