אוֹנָן (o.nan)
o.nan
Onan
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Onan, meaning "strong," identifies the second son of Judah and Bathshua in the Genesis narrative. He appears primarily in Genesis 38 as the brother of Er and half-brother of Perez and Zerah. The biblical text records him briefly before his death at the hands of God.
Onan is most notable for refusing to fulfill the levirate duty to provide an heir for his deceased brother Er. Instead of raising up offspring for Er’s widow Tamar, Onan practiced coitus interruptus, spilling his seed on the ground to avoid establishing a lineage that would not be his own. This act of selfishness led to his sudden death.
Though the name occurs six times in Scripture, mostly in Genesis and Chronicles, its theological weight rests entirely on this single event. The sources emphasize that Onan’s sin was not merely sexual misconduct but a deliberate violation of family obligation and social justice, prioritizing personal gain over the welfare of his brother’s line.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Onan appears in Scripture not as a model of virtue, but as a warning about the cost of selfishness. In Genesis 38, he is asked to care for his deceased brother’s widow, Tamar, by fulfilling a family duty that would secure her future and preserve his brother’s lineage. Instead, he chooses personal comfort over sacrificial love, manipulating the situation to keep his inheritance entirely for himself.
This story reminds us that faith often requires us to step outside our own interests. God values a heart that seeks the good of others, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. True integrity means honoring commitments and caring for those who depend on us, rather than looking for ways to avoid responsibility.
While Onan’s choice led to his downfall, the narrative also shows God’s faithfulness in preserving the line of Judah despite human failure. We are invited to reflect on our own willingness to serve others selflessly, trusting that God honors a generous spirit more than we can imagine.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Onan5×
- Onan2×
- to/ Onan1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/אוֹנָן֙2×
- לְ/אוֹנָ֔ן1×
- וְ/אוֹנָ֛ן1×
- וְ/אוֹנָ֖ן1×
- וְ/אוֹנָ֑ן1×
- אוֹנָֽן\׃1×
- אוֹנָ֔ן1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 38:9
Onan knew that the offspring wouldn’t be his; and when he went in to his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground, lest he should give offspring to his brother.
This verse captures the core of Onan’s sin: he deliberately withheld offspring from his brother to protect his own inheritance, showing a heart ruled by selfishness rather than family duty.
-
Genesis 38:8
Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.”
Here Judah commands Onan to fulfill the levirate duty, highlighting the cultural expectation that a brother must provide for a deceased sibling’s widow and continue his line.
-
I Chronicles 2:3
The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah, which three were born to him of Shua’s daughter the Canaanitess. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in Yahweh’s sight; and he killed him.
This genealogical record confirms Onan’s place in Judah’s family tree while noting his death, linking the narrative of his failure to the broader history of Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Onan mean?
Why did God kill Onan?
Where does Onan appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 3 books)
Genesis 4 verses
She conceived again, and bore a son; and she named him Onan.
Genesis 38:8Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her, and raise up…
Genesis 38:9Onan knew that the offspring wouldn’t be his; and when he went in to his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the…
Genesis 46:12The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez…