Genesis 38:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Onan {H209} knew {H3045} that the seed {H2233} should not be his; and it came to pass, when {H518} he went in {H935} unto his brother's {H251} wife {H802}, that he spilled {H7843} it on the ground {H776}, lest {H1115} that he should give {H5414} seed {H2233} to his brother {H251}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, Onan knew that the child would not count as his; so whenever he had intercourse with his brother's wife, he spilled the semen on the ground, so as not to give his brother offspring.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

And Onan knew that the seed would 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 he should give seed to his brother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 38:9 details Onan's deliberate act of preventing conception during his levirate marriage duty to Tamar, his deceased brother Er's widow. Fully aware that any child born would legally belong to Er, Onan selfishly refused to provide an heir, thereby protecting his own future inheritance. This calculated defiance of familial obligation and the preservation of his brother's lineage was deemed evil in the sight of the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the narrative concerning Judah, one of Jacob's sons, and his family. The chapter interrupts the Joseph narrative (Genesis 37, 39) to provide crucial background on Judah's character and the complexities of his lineage. Following the premature death of Judah's firstborn, Er, who died without an heir, the custom of levirate marriage (from the Latin *levir*, "brother-in-law") became applicable. This ancient practice, later formally codified in Israelite law (cf. [Deuteronomy 25:5-10](/deuteronomy/25-5-10 "The Law of Levirate Marriage")), mandated that the deceased's brother marry the widow to "raise up seed" for the departed. Onan, as the next brother, was obligated to fulfill this duty to Tamar, ensuring the continuation of Er's name and inheritance within the family. His actions in this verse directly precede God's judgment upon him in [Genesis 38:10](/genesis/38-10 "God's Judgment on Onan"), setting the stage for the subsequent dramatic events involving Tamar and Judah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Levirate marriage was a widespread custom in the ancient Near East, not unique to Israel. Its primary functions were socio-economic and religious: to perpetuate the deceased husband's name and lineage, to prevent his inheritance from passing out of the family, and to provide for the widow, who would otherwise be left vulnerable and destitute in a patriarchal society. A child born of such a union was legally considered the son of the deceased, not the biological father. This system was vital for maintaining tribal and family structures, land tenure, and the memory of the departed. Onan's refusal was therefore a profound transgression against established societal norms, familial duty, and the welfare of a vulnerable woman, directly undermining the very fabric of his community's understanding of justice and continuity.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 38, including this verse, contributes to several significant themes within the broader book of Genesis. The overarching theme of **lineage and the promised "seed"** is paramount, as the Abrahamic covenant's promises are tied to a continuous line of descendants (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise to Abraham")). Onan's refusal to provide a "seed" for his brother is a direct affront to this emphasis on generational continuity. The chapter also explores themes of **righteousness and unrighteousness**, contrasting Judah's initial failures and Onan's blatant disobedience with Tamar's eventual demonstration of greater righteousness (cf. [Genesis 38:26](/genesis/38-26 "Judah's Confession")). Furthermore, the narrative highlights **divine sovereignty and judgment**, as God intervenes directly in response to human sin, demonstrating His active involvement in the unfolding story of His chosen people and the preservation of the messianic line, despite human failings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **knew (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This verb (H3045) signifies not merely intellectual awareness but often a deep, experiential, and intimate knowledge. In this context, Onan's "knowing" implies full comprehension of his levirate duty and its implications—that the "seed" would not be legally his. This highlights the deliberate and premeditated nature of his subsequent actions, underscoring his culpability.
* **seed (Hebrew, _zeraʻ'_):** The term (H2233) here refers primarily to offspring, descendants, or posterity. It is crucial for understanding the levirate custom's purpose: to raise up a "seed" for the deceased brother. Onan's refusal to "give seed to his brother" was a direct violation of this core purpose, preventing the continuation of Er's name and lineage. The word's broader biblical usage often points to the promised "seed" (e.g., [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium")) through whom God's redemptive plan would unfold, making Onan's act of preventing "seed" particularly significant.
* **spilled (Hebrew, _shâchath'_):** This verb (H7843) carries a strong connotation of decay, ruin, or destruction. While used euphemistically here for *coitus interruptus*, its underlying meaning suggests an act of marring or wasting. Onan's action was not merely a physical discharge but a "ruining" or "destroying" of the potential for life and the fulfillment of his duty, consistent with the divine judgment that followed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Onan knew that the seed should not be his;"**: This opening clause establishes Onan's full awareness and understanding of the levirate law. He was not ignorant of his obligation or the legal ramifications of any offspring from his union with Tamar. He knew that any child born would be legally attributed to his deceased brother, Er, and would carry Er's name and inheritance rights, not his own. This knowledge makes his subsequent actions a deliberate act of defiance.
* **"and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife,"**: This phrase describes the context of Onan's action—his engagement in sexual relations with Tamar, fulfilling the initial physical requirement of the levirate custom. The phrase "went in unto" is a common biblical euphemism for sexual intercourse, indicating that the act itself was initiated.
* **"that he spilled [it] on the ground,"**: This is the core of Onan's transgression, a euphemism for *coitus interruptus*. It describes his intentional act of preventing conception by withdrawing and ejaculating outside of Tamar's body. This was not an accident but a calculated and deliberate physical action designed to thwart the purpose of the union.
* **"lest that he should give seed to his brother."**: This final clause explicitly states Onan's motivation: to avoid providing an heir for his deceased brother. His concern was not for Tamar or for the continuation of his brother's lineage, but for his own self-interest. By preventing the birth of a child who would legally inherit from Er, Onan sought to protect his own share of the family inheritance, as an additional heir would diminish his portion. This reveals a profound selfishness and disregard for his familial and societal obligations.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Euphemism** in the phrase "spilled [it] on the ground" to describe Onan's act of *coitus interruptus*. This indirect language, common in biblical texts when discussing sexual matters, conveys the action without explicit anatomical detail, preserving decorum while clearly communicating the intent and outcome. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** in this narrative. Onan's selfish and disobedient act stands in stark contrast to the expected fulfillment of duty and the preservation of family lineage, highlighting the destructive nature of self-interest when pitted against communal and divine expectations. Furthermore, the emphasis on "seed" and lineage, and Onan's failure to provide it, serves as a subtle **Foreshadowing** of the greater need for a righteous "seed" who would truly fulfill God's promises, ultimately pointing towards the Messiah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 38:9 powerfully illustrates the gravity of Onan's sin, which was not merely a physical act but a profound rejection of his God-given familial and societal responsibilities. His actions underscore the ancient Near Eastern, and particularly Israelite, emphasis on the continuation of lineage, which was often tied to divine promises and the preservation of identity and inheritance. Onan's deliberate refusal to provide an heir for his deceased brother, driven by selfish motives to protect his own inheritance, was a direct affront to the custom of levirate marriage, which served to uphold justice for the widow and maintain the deceased's name. This act of calculated disobedience, selfishness, and disregard for the vulnerable was deemed "evil in the sight of the Lord" (Genesis 38:10), demonstrating God's active judgment against those who violate established norms of justice, duty, and compassion within the covenant community.

* [Deuteronomy 25:5-10](/deuteronomy/25-5-10 "The Law of Levirate Marriage")
* [Ruth 4:1-12](/ruth/4-1-12 "Boaz Fulfills Levirate Duty")
* [Matthew 22:23-33](/matthew/22-23-33 "Sadducees Question Jesus About the Resurrection and Levirate Marriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Onan's story serves as a potent reminder that our actions, even those performed in private or seemingly motivated by personal gain, are weighed by God and carry significant consequences. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for areas where self-interest, greed, or a desire for personal advantage might tempt us to neglect our responsibilities, whether to family, community, or the broader body of Christ. The principle of fulfilling our duties with integrity, especially those that benefit the vulnerable or uphold justice, remains profoundly relevant. Are we willing to sacrifice personal comfort or gain for the well-being of others and the advancement of God's purposes? Onan's sin was fundamentally a sin of omission—a refusal to do what was right and expected—rooted in a heart that prioritized self over others and divine expectation. This narrative calls us to cultivate a heart of selfless service, obedience, and compassion, recognizing that true flourishing comes from aligning our will with God's, even when it demands personal sacrifice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing personal gain or comfort over my responsibilities to others or to God?**
* **How does Onan's deliberate act of disobedience challenge my understanding of "private" sins and their implications before God?**
* **Am I willing to fulfill duties that may not directly benefit me, but are essential for the well-being of others or the community?**
* **What does this passage teach me about God's view of justice, particularly concerning the vulnerable?**

### FAQ
**What was the purpose of levirate marriage?**

Answer: Levirate marriage was an ancient custom, later codified in Israelite law (cf. [Deuteronomy 25:5-10](/deuteronomy/25-5-10 "The Law of Levirate Marriage")), where a man was obligated to marry his deceased brother's childless widow. Its primary purpose was to raise up an heir for the deceased brother, ensuring his name and lineage continued and his inheritance remained within the family. It also provided for the widow, who might otherwise be left without support or status in society.

**Why was Onan's action considered evil by the Lord?**

Answer: Onan's action was considered evil not primarily because of the method of contraception itself, but because it was a deliberate and selfish refusal to fulfill his divinely sanctioned familial duty to his deceased brother and Tamar. He knew the child would carry his brother's name and inheritance, and he intentionally prevented conception to protect his own future inheritance. His sin was one of profound disobedience, selfishness, and a callous disregard for the custom designed to preserve his brother's lineage and provide for his widow. His act was a calculated subversion of justice and familial responsibility.

**Does this passage condemn all forms of contraception?**

Answer: This passage is not primarily a condemnation of contraception in general. The focus of the biblical text and the reason for God's judgment on Onan was his malicious intent and his refusal to fulfill his specific levirate duty to raise up an heir for his deceased brother. His sin was rooted in his selfish desire to avoid diminishing his own inheritance, rather than the method of preventing conception itself. Interpreting this verse as a blanket condemnation of all contraception is a misapplication of the text's specific context and purpose, which highlights Onan's deliberate defiance of a specific familial and societal obligation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Onan and the importance of lineage in [Genesis 38:9](/genesis/38-9 "Onan's Refusal of Levirate Duty") ultimately points to Christ in several profound ways. The entire Old Testament narrative, particularly the meticulous genealogies and the emphasis on heirs, underscores the divine plan to bring forth the promised "seed" (cf. [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium") and [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Promise to Abraham and His Seed")) who would crush the serpent's head and secure humanity's redemption. Onan's selfish refusal to raise up a seed for his brother stands in stark contrast to Christ, who, as the ultimate and perfect "seed" of Abraham and David, willingly laid down His life to secure an eternal inheritance for His people. Unlike Onan, who sought to preserve his earthly inheritance and avoid personal loss, Christ, though rich, for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich (cf. [2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "Christ's Self-Impoverishment")). He demonstrated perfect selflessness and obedience to God's will (cf. [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Christ's Humility")), ensuring an eternal lineage and inheritance for all who believe in Him, fulfilling all righteousness and duty that Onan so tragically failed to uphold.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 3:16

For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.

James 4:5

Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

Titus 3:3

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.

Ruth 4:10

Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye [are] witnesses this day.

Deuteronomy 25:6

And it shall be, [that] the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother [which is] dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

Job 5:2

For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

James 3:14

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.