Overview
The Bible addresses onan across 7 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Genesis, Numbers and 1 Chronicles. Closely related themes include Inheritance, Shelah, Jacob and Pharez. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Onan, Judah, Shelah and Perez.
Key Bible verses about onan
Old Testament
Genesis
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.
And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
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.
And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also. displeased: Heb. was evil in the eyes of the Lord
And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zerah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.
People in the Bible and onan
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying onan for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 38:4, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Genesis, Numbers and 1 Chronicles each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Onan, Judah and Shelah and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Inheritance, Shelah, Jacob and Pharez.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about onan?
The Bible addresses onan across 7 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Genesis, Numbers and 1 Chronicles. Closely related themes include Inheritance, Shelah, Jacob and Pharez. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Onan, Judah, Shelah and Perez.
How many Bible verses are about onan?
The Bible references onan in 7 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention onan?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 38:4: “And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with onan?
Onan, Judah, Shelah, Perez and Er.
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