Genesis 38:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.

Complete Jewish Bible:

She conceived again and had a son, and she called him Onan.

Berean Standard Bible:

Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Onan.

American Standard Version:

And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And she conceived^{H2029} again, and bare^{H3205} a son^{H1121}; and she called^{H7121} his name^{H8034} Onan^{H209}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 38:4

1. Themes:
- Family and Lineage: The birth of Onan is part of the lineage of Judah, which is significant in the broader context of Israel's patriarchal history.
- Moral Responsibility: The story of Onan later touches on themes of duty and the consequences of failing to fulfill familial obligations, as seen in the narrative of levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-10).
- Divine Sovereignty: The mention of births underscores the theme of God's control over human fertility and the continuation of family lines.

2. Historical Context:
- Genesis 38:4 is set within the larger narrative of the patriarch Judah, a son of Jacob (Israel). The events occur during the period when the Hebrew people are living in the land of Canaan.
- The verse itself is part of a chapter that interrupts the story of Joseph with an account of Judah's family, highlighting the importance of Judah's lineage, which will eventually lead to King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:3).
- The practice of levirate marriage, which becomes relevant later in the chapter with Onan, was a custom where a man would marry his brother's widow to produce offspring for the deceased brother, thus ensuring the continuation of the family line.
- The name "Onan" becomes associated with the act of coitus interruptus (withdrawal method), as Onan later spills his seed on the ground to avoid impregnating his brother's widow, Tamar, which is seen as a transgression against both his family and divine law. This act leads to Onan's death, as mentioned in Genesis 38:8-10.

In summary, Genesis 38:4 introduces Onan within the context of Judah's family, foreshadowing the complex narrative that deals with themes of family duty, divine sovereignty, and the importance of lineage in the history of Israel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H2029
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָרָה
   Transliteration: hârâh
   Pronunciation: haw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root; to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively); been, be with child, conceive, progenitor.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3205
   There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַד
   Transliteration: yâlad
   Pronunciation: yaw-lad'
   Description: a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage; bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).
   
3. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7121
   There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרָא
   Transliteration: qârâʼ
   Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8034
   There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
   
6. Strong's Number: H209
   There are 395 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אוֹנָן
   Transliteration: ʼÔwnân
   Pronunciation: o-nawn'
   Description: a variation of אוֹנוֹ; strong; Onan, a son of Judah; Onan.