Genesis 38:9
Onan realized that any children he had wouldn't be his own, so whenever he slept with his brother's wife he made sure she wouldn't become pregnant by withdrawing and spilling his semen on the ground. In this way he prevented any children being born on behalf of his brother.
Free Bible Version
In The King James Version
In Context
10But what he did was evil in the Lord's sight, so he also put Onan to death.
Cross References
Deuteronomy 25:5When two brothers live near to each other and one of them dies without having a son, the widow is not to marry a stranger outside the family. Her husband's brother is to marry her and sleep with her, fulfilling the requirements of a brother-in-law to provide her with children.
Ruth 1:11“Why do you want to go back with me?” Naomi asked. “I'm not able to have any more sons for you to marry.
Job 5:2Surely anger slays the fool and jealousy kills the simple.
Titus 3:3For there was a time when we too were foolish and disobedient. We were deceived and slaves to various desires and pleasures. We lived wicked lives full of jealousy, hateful people hating one another.
James 3:16Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition you'll also find confusion and all kinds of evil practices.
Matthew Henry on Genesis 38:2-12
Judah's Profligacy. ( b. c. 1717.) 1 And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. 2 And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her. 3 And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er. 4 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan. 5 And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at… Read the whole commentary →