Genesis 38:9

biblecontext

{ "verseID": "Genesis.38.9", "source": "וַיֵּ֣דַע אוֹנָ֔ן כִּ֛י לֹּ֥א ל֖וֹ יִהְיֶ֣ה הַזָּ֑רַע וְהָיָ֞ה אִם־בָּ֨א אֶל־אֵ֤שֶׁת אָחִיו֙ וְשִׁחֵ֣ת אַ֔רְצָה לְבִלְתִּ֥י נְתָן־זֶ֖רַע לְאָחִֽיו", "text": "And *wayyēdaʿ* *ʾÔnān* that *lōʾ* to him *yihyeh* the *zāraʿ*, and *wəhāyāh* if *bāʾ* unto *ʾēšet* his *ʾāḥîw* and *wəšiḥēt* *ʾarṣāh* to prevent *nətān*-*zeraʿ* to his *ʾāḥîw*", "grammar": { "*wayyēdaʿ*": "waw-consecutive + qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he knew", "*ʾÔnān*": "proper noun, masculine - Onan", "*lōʾ*": "negative particle - not", "*yihyeh*": "qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - would be", "*zāraʿ*": "noun, masculine singular + definite article - the offspring/seed", "*wəhāyāh*": "waw-consecutive + qal perfect, 3rd masculine singular - and it was/happened", "*bāʾ*": "qal perfect, 3rd masculine singular - he went in", "*ʾēšet*": "noun, feminine singular construct - wife of", "*ʾāḥîw*": "noun, masculine singular construct + 3rd masculine singular suffix - his brother", "*wəšiḥēt*": "waw-consecutive + piel perfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he ruined/destroyed", "*ʾarṣāh*": "noun, feminine singular + directional heh - to the ground", "*nətān*": "qal infinitive construct - giving", "*zeraʿ*": "noun, masculine singular - seed/offspring", "*ʾāḥîw*": "noun, masculine singular construct + 3rd masculine singular suffix - his brother" }, "variants": { "*wayyēdaʿ*": "and he knew/recognized/understood", "*yihyeh*": "would be/become/belong to", "*wəhāyāh*": "and it was/happened/came to pass", "*bāʾ*": "went in to/had relations with", "*wəšiḥēt*": "and he ruined/wasted/destroyed", "*ʾarṣāh*": "to the ground/on the earth/to the floor", "*nətān*": "giving/providing/establishing" } }

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וַיֵּ֣דַע אוֹנָ֔ן כִּ֛י לֹּ֥א ל֖וֹ יִהְיֶ֣ה הַזָּ֑רַע וְהָיָ֞ה אִם־בָּ֨א אֶל־אֵ֤שֶׁת אָחִיו֙ וְשִׁחֵ֣ת אַ֔רְצָה לְבִלְתִּ֥י נְתָן־זֶ֖רַע לְאָחִֽיו

Transliteration

And wayyēdaʿ ʾÔnān that lōʾ to him yihyeh the zāraʿ, and wəhāyāh if bāʾ unto ʾēšet his ʾāḥîw and wəšiḥēt ʾarṣāh to prevent nətān-zeraʿ to his ʾāḥîw

Grammar Details

• *wayyēdaʿ*: waw-consecutive + qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he knew
• *ʾÔnān*: proper noun, masculine - Onan
• *lōʾ*: negative particle - not
• *yihyeh*: qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - would be
• *zāraʿ*: noun, masculine singular + definite article - the offspring/seed
• *wəhāyāh*: waw-consecutive + qal perfect, 3rd masculine singular - and it was/happened
• *bāʾ*: qal perfect, 3rd masculine singular - he went in
• *ʾēšet*: noun, feminine singular construct - wife of
• *ʾāḥîw*: noun, masculine singular construct + 3rd masculine singular suffix - his brother
• *wəšiḥēt*: waw-consecutive + piel perfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he ruined/destroyed
• *ʾarṣāh*: noun, feminine singular + directional heh - to the ground
• *nətān*: qal infinitive construct - giving
• *zeraʿ*: noun, masculine singular - seed/offspring

Word Meanings

• *wayyēdaʿ*: and he knew/recognized/understood
• *yihyeh*: would be/become/belong to
• *wəhāyāh*: and it was/happened/came to pass
• *bāʾ*: went in to/had relations with
• *wəšiḥēt*: and he ruined/wasted/destroyed
• *ʾarṣāh*: to the ground/on the earth/to the floor
• *nətān*: giving/providing/establishing

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  However, Onan knew that the offspring would not be his, so whenever he went in to his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to avoid producing offspring for his brother.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard 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.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went to his brother’s wife, he spilled his seed on the ground, to avoid giving offspring to his brother.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And Onan{H209} knew{H3045} that the seed{H2233} would 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} he should give{H5414} seed{H2233} to his brother.{H251}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And Onan{H209} knew{H3045}{(H8799)} that the seed{H2233} should not be his; and it came to pass, when{H518} he went in{H935}{(H8802)} unto his brother's{H251} wife{H802}, that he spilled{H7843}{(H8765)} it on the ground{H776}, lest{H1115} that he should give{H5414}{(H8800)} seed{H2233} to his brother{H251}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  And when Onan perceaued that the seed shulde not be his: therfore when he went in to his brothers wife he spylled it on the grounde because he wold not geue seed vnto his brother.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  But when Onan knewe that the sede shulde not be his owne, whan he laye with his brothers wife, he let it fall vpon the earth and destroyed it, yt he shulde not geue sede vnto his brother.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  And Onan knewe that the seede should not be his: therefore when he went in vnto his brothers wife, he spilled it on the grounde, least he should giue seede vnto his brother.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And when Onan perceaued that the seede shoulde not be his, therfore when he wet in to his brothers wyfe, he spylled it on the grounde, & gaue not seede vnto his brother.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  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.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Onan knew that the seed wouldn't be his; and it happened, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  and Onan knoweth that the seed is not `reckoned' his; and it hath come to pass, if he hath gone in unto his brother's wife, that he hath destroyed `it' to the earth, so as not to give seed to his brother;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  But Onan, seeing that the offspring would not be his, went in to his brother's wife, but let his seed go on to the earth, so that he might not get offspring for his brother.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Onan knew that the seed wouldn't be his; and it happened, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  But Onan knew that the child would not be considered his. So whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he wasted his emission on the ground so as not to give his brother a descendant.

Referenced Verses

• Deut 25:6 : 6 { "verseID": "Deuteronomy.25.6", "source": "וְהָיָ֗ה הַבְּכוֹר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּלֵ֔ד יָק֕וּם עַל־שֵׁ֥ם אָחִ֖יו הַמֵּ֑ת וְלֹֽא־יִמָּחֶ֥ה שְׁמ֖וֹ מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃", "text": "*wə-hāyāh* the-*bəkôr* that *tēlēd* *yāqûm* on-*šēm* *ʾāḥîw* the-*mēt* *wə-lōʾ*-*yimmāḥeh* *šəmô* from-*yiśrāʾēl*", "grammar": { "*wə-hāyāh*": "conjunction + qal perfect 3rd masculine singular - and it shall be", "*ha-bəkôr*": "definite article + noun masculine singular - the firstborn", "*ʾăšer*": "relative particle - that/who", "*tēlēd*": "qal imperfect 3rd feminine singular - she bears", "*yāqûm*": "qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular - he shall arise/stand", "*ʿal*": "preposition - on/upon", "*šēm*": "noun masculine singular construct - name of", "*ʾāḥîw*": "noun masculine singular + 3rd masculine singular suffix - his brother", "*ha-mēt*": "definite article + qal participle masculine singular - the dead", "*wə-lōʾ*": "conjunction + negative particle - and not", "*yimmāḥeh*": "niphal imperfect 3rd masculine singular - he shall be blotted out", "*šəmô*": "noun masculine singular + 3rd masculine singular suffix - his name", "*mi-yiśrāʾēl*": "preposition + proper noun - from Israel" }, "variants": { "*bəkôr*": "firstborn/first son", "*yāqûm ʿal-šēm*": "stand in the name of/succeed to the name of/carry on the name of", "*yimmāḥeh*": "be blotted out/be erased/be wiped out" } }
• Ruth 1:11 : 11 { "verseID": "Ruth.1.11", "source": "וַתֹּ֤אמֶר נָעֳמִי֙ שֹׁ֣בְנָה בְנֹתַ֔י לָ֥מָּה תֵלַ֖כְנָה עִמִּ֑י הַֽעֽוֹד־לִ֤י בָנִים֙ בְּֽמֵעַ֔י וְהָי֥וּ לָכֶ֖ם לַאֲנָשִֽׁים", "text": "And *wattōʾmer* *nāʿŏmî*, *šōḇnāh* *ḇənōṯay*, *lāmmāh* *ṯēlaḵnāh* with me? *haʿôḏ*-to me *ḇānîm* in *bəmēʿay* and *wəhāyû* to you to *laʾănāšîm*?", "grammar": { "*wattōʾmer*": "waw-consecutive + 3rd feminine singular qal imperfect of אמר (to say) - and she said", "*nāʿŏmî*": "proper noun - Naomi", "*šōḇnāh*": "2nd feminine plural qal imperative of שוב (to return) - return", "*ḇənōṯay*": "feminine plural noun + 1st common singular possessive suffix - my daughters", "*lāmmāh*": "interrogative + preposition - why", "*ṯēlaḵnāh*": "2nd feminine plural qal imperfect of הלך (to go) - you would go", "*haʿôḏ*": "interrogative + adverb - are there still", "*ḇānîm*": "masculine plural noun - sons", "*bəmēʿay*": "preposition + masculine plural noun + 1st common singular possessive suffix - in my bowels/womb", "*wəhāyû*": "conjunction + 3rd common plural qal perfect of היה (to be) - and they would be", "*laʾănāšîm*": "preposition + masculine plural noun - for husbands" }, "variants": { "*bəmēʿay*": "in my womb/body/bowels", "*ḇənōṯay*": "my daughters (figurative term for daughters-in-law)" } }
• Ruth 4:10 : 10 { "verseID": "Ruth.4.10", "source": "וְגַ֣ם אֶת־ר֣וּת הַמֹּאֲבִיָּה֩ אֵ֨שֶׁת מַחְל֜וֹן קָנִ֧יתִי לִ֣י לְאִשָּׁ֗ה לְהָקִ֤ים שֵׁם־הַמֵּת֙ עַל־נַ֣חֲלָת֔וֹ וְלֹא־יִכָּרֵ֧ת שֵׁם־הַמֵּ֛ת מֵעִ֥ם אֶחָ֖יו וּמִשַּׁ֣עַר מְקוֹמ֑וֹ עֵדִ֥ים אַתֶּ֖ם הַיּֽוֹם׃", "text": "*wə-gam* *ʾet*-*Rût* the-*Môʾăbîyâ* *ʾēšet* *Maḥlôn* *qānîtî* to-me for-*ʾiššâ* *ləhāqîm* *šēm*-the-*mēt* upon-*naḥălātô* and-not-*yikkārēt* *šēm*-the-*mēt* from-with *ʾeḥāyw* and-from-*šaʿar* *məqômô* *ʿēdîm* you the-*yôm*", "grammar": { "*wə-gam*": "conjunction + adverb - and also", "*Rût*": "proper noun with direct object marker - Ruth", "*Môʾăbîyâ*": "gentilic adjective, feminine singular with definite article - the Moabitess", "*ʾēšet*": "noun, feminine singular construct - wife of", "*Maḥlôn*": "proper noun - Mahlon", "*qānîtî*": "Qal perfect, 1st singular - I have bought", "*ʾiššâ*": "noun, feminine singular with preposition - for a wife", "*ləhāqîm*": "preposition + Hiphil infinitive construct - to raise up", "*šēm*": "noun, masculine singular construct - name of", "*mēt*": "Qal participle, masculine singular with definite article - the dead man", "*naḥălātô*": "noun, feminine singular + 3rd masculine singular suffix with preposition - upon his inheritance", "*yikkārēt*": "Niphal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - will be cut off", "*ʾeḥāyw*": "noun, masculine plural + 3rd masculine singular suffix with preposition - from his brothers", "*šaʿar*": "noun, masculine singular construct with preposition - from gate of", "*məqômô*": "noun, masculine singular + 3rd masculine singular suffix - his place", "*ʿēdîm*": "noun, masculine plural - witnesses", "*yôm*": "noun, masculine singular with definite article - the day" }, "variants": { "*qānîtî*": "I have bought/I have acquired/I have taken", "*ləhāqîm* *šēm*": "to raise up name/to preserve lineage/to continue family line", "*yikkārēt*": "will be cut off/will be removed/will be eliminated", "*šaʿar* *məqômô*": "gate of his place/his hometown/his community" } }
• Job 5:2 : 2 { "verseID": "Job.5.2", "source": "כִּֽי־לֶֽ֭אֱוִיל יַהֲרָג־כָּ֑עַשׂ וּ֝פֹתֶ֗ה תָּמִ֥ית קִנְאָֽה׃", "text": "*kî*-to-*ʾĕwîl* *yaharāg*-*kāʿaś* *û*-*fōteh* *tāmît* *qināʾh*", "grammar": { "*kî*": "conjunction - for/because", "*ʾĕwîl*": "noun, masculine singular - fool", "*yaharāg*": "imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular - it will kill", "*kāʿaś*": "noun, masculine singular - vexation/anger", "*û*": "conjunction - and", "*fōteh*": "participle, masculine singular - simple one/seduced one", "*tāmît*": "imperfect, 3rd person feminine singular - it will kill/slay", "*qināʾh*": "noun, feminine singular - jealousy/envy/zeal" }, "variants": { "*ʾĕwîl*": "fool/foolish one", "*yaharāg*": "kills/slays", "*kāʿaś*": "vexation/anger/grief", "*fōteh*": "simple one/naïve person/one easily persuaded", "*qināʾh*": "jealousy/envy/passion" } }
• Prov 27:4 : 4 { "verseID": "Proverbs.27.4", "source": "אַכְזְרִיּ֣וּת חֵ֭מָה וְשֶׁ֣טֶף אָ֑ף וּמִ֥י יַ֝עֲמֹד לִפְנֵ֥י קִנְאָֽה׃", "text": "*ʾakzĕrîyût ḥēmāh wĕšeṭep ʾāp ûmî yaʿămōd lipnê qinʾāh*", "grammar": { "*ʾakzĕrîyût*": "feminine singular construct - cruelty of", "*ḥēmāh*": "feminine singular - wrath", "*wĕšeṭep*": "conjunction + masculine singular construct - and flood/overflowing of", "*ʾāp*": "masculine singular - anger/nose", "*ûmî*": "conjunction + interrogative pronoun - but who", "*yaʿămōd*": "qal imperfect 3rd person masculine singular - will stand", "*lipnê*": "preposition + plural construct - before", "*qinʾāh*": "feminine singular - jealousy/envy" }, "variants": { "*ʾakzĕrîyût*": "cruelty/fierceness/savagery", "*ḥēmāh*": "wrath/fury/rage", "*šeṭep*": "flood/overflow/outburst", "*ʾāp*": "anger/nose/face", "*yaʿămōd*": "stand/endure/withstand", "*qinʾāh*": "jealousy/envy/zeal" } }
• Titus 3:3 : 3 { "verseID": "Titus.3.3", "source": "Ἦμεν γάρ ποτε καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀνόητοι, ἀπειθεῖς, πλανώμενοι, δουλεύοντες ἐπιθυμίαις καὶ ἡδοναῖς ποικίλαις, ἐν κακίᾳ καὶ φθόνῳ διάγοντες, στυγητοί, μισοῦντες ἀλλήλους.", "text": "*Ēmen gar pote* and *hēmeis anoētoi*, *apeitheis*, *planōmenoi*, *douleuontes epithymiais* and *hēdonais poikilais*, in *kakia* and *phthonō diagōntes*, *stygētoi*, *misountes allēlous*.", "grammar": { "*Ēmen*": "imperfect, 1st plural - we were", "*gar*": "conjunction - for/because", "*pote*": "adverb - once/formerly/at one time", "*hēmeis*": "nominative, 1st plural - we", "*anoētoi*": "nominative, masculine, plural - foolish/senseless", "*apeitheis*": "nominative, masculine, plural - disobedient/unbelieving", "*planōmenoi*": "present passive participle, nominative, masculine, plural - being deceived/going astray", "*douleuontes*": "present active participle, nominative, masculine, plural - serving/being slaves to", "*epithymiais*": "dative, feminine, plural - lusts/desires/passions", "*hēdonais*": "dative, feminine, plural - pleasures/enjoyments", "*poikilais*": "dative, feminine, plural - various/diverse", "*kakia*": "dative, feminine, singular - malice/evil/wickedness", "*phthonō*": "dative, masculine, singular - envy/jealousy", "*diagōntes*": "present active participle, nominative, masculine, plural - living/spending [time]", "*stygētoi*": "nominative, masculine, plural - hateful/detestable", "*misountes*": "present active participle, nominative, masculine, plural - hating", "*allēlous*": "accusative, masculine, plural - one another/each other" }, "variants": { "*anoētoi*": "foolish/senseless/unintelligent/uncomprehending", "*apeitheis*": "disobedient/unbelieving/refusing to be persuaded", "*planōmenoi*": "being deceived/going astray/wandering/being led astray", "*douleuontes*": "serving/being slaves to/being in bondage to", "*epithymiais*": "lusts/desires/passions/cravings", "*hēdonais*": "pleasures/enjoyments/gratifications", "*poikilais*": "various/diverse/manifold/of various kinds", "*kakia*": "malice/evil/wickedness/badness", "*phthonō*": "envy/jealousy/ill-will", "*diagōntes*": "living/spending [time]/passing through life", "*stygētoi*": "hateful/detestable/abhorrent/loathsome", "*misountes*": "hating/detesting" } }
• Jas 3:14 : 14 { "verseID": "James.3.14", "source": "Εἰ δὲ ζῆλον πικρὸν ἔχετε καὶ ἐριθείαν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν, μὴ κατακαυχᾶσθε, καὶ ψεύδεσθε κατὰ τῆς ἀληθείας.", "text": "If *de* *zēlon* *pikron* you *echete* and *eritheian* in the *kardia* of you, *mē* *katakauchāsthe*, and *pseudesthe* against the *alētheias*.", "grammar": { "*de*": "postpositive conjunction - but/and", "*zēlon*": "accusative, masculine, singular - jealousy/zeal", "*pikron*": "accusative, masculine, singular - bitter", "*echete*": "present indicative, active, 2nd plural - you have", "*eritheian*": "accusative, feminine, singular - selfish ambition/rivalry", "*kardia*": "dative, feminine, singular - heart", "*mē*": "negative particle - not", "*katakauchāsthe*": "present imperative, middle, 2nd plural - boast/glory", "*pseudesthe*": "present imperative, middle, 2nd plural - lie/speak falsely", "*alētheias*": "genitive, feminine, singular - truth" }, "variants": { "*zēlon*": "jealousy/zeal/envy", "*pikron*": "bitter/harsh", "*eritheian*": "selfish ambition/rivalry/strife", "*kardia*": "heart/mind/inner self", "*katakauchāsthe*": "boast/glory/pride yourselves", "*pseudesthe*": "lie/speak falsely/deceive", "*alētheias*": "truth/reality" } }
• Jas 3:16 : 16 { "verseID": "James.3.16", "source": "Ὅπου γὰρ ζῆλος καὶ ἐριθεία, ἐκεῖ ἀκαταστασία καὶ πᾶν φαῦλον πρᾶγμα.", "text": "Where *gar* *zēlos* and *eritheia*, there *akatastasia* and every *phaulon* *pragma*.", "grammar": { "*gar*": "postpositive conjunction - for/because", "*zēlos*": "nominative, masculine, singular - jealousy/zeal", "*eritheia*": "nominative, feminine, singular - selfish ambition/rivalry", "*akatastasia*": "nominative, feminine, singular - disorder/confusion", "*phaulon*": "accusative, neuter, singular - worthless/evil", "*pragma*": "nominative, neuter, singular - thing/deed/matter" }, "variants": { "*zēlos*": "jealousy/zeal/envy", "*eritheia*": "selfish ambition/rivalry/strife", "*akatastasia*": "disorder/confusion/instability", "*phaulon*": "worthless/evil/base/vile", "*pragma*": "thing/deed/matter/practice" } }
• Jas 4:5 : 5 { "verseID": "James.4.5", "source": "Ἢ δοκεῖτε ὅτι κενῶς ἡ γραφὴ λέγει, Πρὸς φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τὸ πνεῦμα ὃ κατῴκησεν ἐν ἡμῖν;", "text": "Or you *dokeite* that *kenōs* the *graphē legei*, Toward *phthonon epipothei* the *pneuma* which *katōkēsen* in us?", "grammar": { "*dokeite*": "present active indicative, 2nd plural - think/suppose", "*kenōs*": "adverb - vainly/emptily", "*graphē*": "nominative, feminine, singular - writing/scripture", "*legei*": "present active indicative, 3rd singular - says/speaks", "*phthonon*": "accusative, masculine, singular - envy/jealousy", "*epipothei*": "present active indicative, 3rd singular - longs for/desires earnestly", "*pneuma*": "nominative, neuter, singular - spirit/breath", "*katōkēsen*": "aorist active indicative, 3rd singular - dwelled/settled" }, "variants": { "*dokeite*": "think/suppose/imagine", "*kenōs*": "vainly/emptily/without purpose", "*graphē*": "writing/scripture", "*legei*": "says/speaks/tells", "*phthonon*": "envy/jealousy/grudging", "*epipothei*": "longs for/desires earnestly/yearns", "*pneuma*": "spirit/breath/wind", "*katōkēsen*": "dwelled/settled/took up residence" } }