Genesis 38:9

Authorized King James Version

PDF

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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֵּ֣דַע knew H3045
וַיֵּ֣דַע knew
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 1 of 19
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אוֹנָ֔ן And Onan H209
אוֹנָ֔ן And Onan
Strong's: H209
Word #: 2 of 19
onan, a son of judah
כִּ֛י H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 3 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹּ֥א H3808
לֹּ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 4 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
ל֖וֹ H0
ל֖וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 19
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 6 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
זֶ֖רַע seed H2233
זֶ֖רַע seed
Strong's: H2233
Word #: 7 of 19
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
וְהָיָ֞ה H1961
וְהָיָ֞ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 8 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִם should not be his and it came to pass when H518
אִם should not be his and it came to pass when
Strong's: H518
Word #: 9 of 19
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
בָּ֨א he went in H935
בָּ֨א he went in
Strong's: H935
Word #: 10 of 19
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 11 of 19
near, with or among; often in general, to
אֵ֤שֶׁת wife H802
אֵ֤שֶׁת wife
Strong's: H802
Word #: 12 of 19
a woman
לְאָחִֽיו׃ to his brother H251
לְאָחִֽיו׃ to his brother
Strong's: H251
Word #: 13 of 19
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וְשִׁחֵ֣ת that he spilled H7843
וְשִׁחֵ֣ת that he spilled
Strong's: H7843
Word #: 14 of 19
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
אַ֔רְצָה it on the ground H776
אַ֔רְצָה it on the ground
Strong's: H776
Word #: 15 of 19
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
לְבִלְתִּ֥י lest H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֥י lest
Strong's: H1115
Word #: 16 of 19
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
נְתָן that he should give H5414
נְתָן that he should give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 17 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
זֶ֖רַע seed H2233
זֶ֖רַע seed
Strong's: H2233
Word #: 18 of 19
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
לְאָחִֽיו׃ to his brother H251
לְאָחִֽיו׃ to his brother
Strong's: H251
Word #: 19 of 19
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

Analysis & Commentary

And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal:

  1. God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions
  2. suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment
  3. forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation
  4. God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people
  5. how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes.

Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources