Genesis 38:9

And Onan knew that after his name the seed would not be called; and it was that when he went in with the wife of his brother, he corrupted his way upon the earth that he might not raise up seed unto his brother;

Targum Onkelos

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

8And Jehuda said to Onan, Go in with the wife of thy brother, and associate with her, and raise up seed to thy brother.

10And what he did was evil before the Lord, and he caused him also to die.

Read all of Genesis 38

Cross References

Deuteronomy 25:5If brothers dwell together, and one of them die, having no son, the wife of the deceased shall not marry another man without; her husband’s brother shall go to her, and take her to him to wife, and marry her for his brother.

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 →

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