Genesis 38:9 “But Onan knew that the offspring would not belong to him; so whenever…”

Genesis 38:9

But Onan knew that the offspring would not belong to him; so whenever he would sleep with his brother’s wife, he would spill his seed on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

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.

World English Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Geneva Bible 1599

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.

Darby Translation

But when Onan knew that the seed should not be his own, it came to pass when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled [it] on the ground, in order to give no seed to his brother.

Young's Literal Translation

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;

Bible in Basic English

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.

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Cross references

“he is”

Deuteronomy 25:6 Ruth 4:10 Ruth 1:11

Deuteronomy 25:6 · BSB

The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.

Ruth 4:10 · BSB

Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his…

Ruth 1:11 · BSB

But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands?

“lest that”

Titus 3:3 James 3:16 James 4:5 Job 5:2 Proverbs 27:4 James 3:14

Titus 3:3 · BSB

For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

James 3:16 · BSB

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

James 4:5 · BSB

Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?

Job 5:2 · BSB

For resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.

Proverbs 27:4 · BSB

Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?

James 3:14 · BSB

But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

8Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.”

10What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well.

Read Genesis 38