Genesis 38:9

Authorized 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֵּ֣דַע

H3045

knew

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אוֹנָ֔ן

H209

And Onan

onan, a son of judah

כִּ֛י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹּ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

ל֖וֹ

יִֽהְיֶ֣ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

זֶ֖רַע

H2233

seed

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

וְהָיָ֞ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אִם

H518

should not be his and it came to pass when

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#10

בָּ֨א

H935

he went in

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#11

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#12

אֵ֤שֶׁת

H802

wife

a woman

#13

לְאָחִֽיו׃

H251

to his brother

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

#14

וְשִׁחֵ֣ת

H7843

that he spilled

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

#15

אַ֔רְצָה

H776

it on the ground

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#16

לְבִלְתִּ֥י

H1115

lest

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

#17

נְתָן

H5414

that he should give

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#18

זֶ֖רַע

H2233

seed

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

#19

לְאָחִֽיו׃

H251

to his brother

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Genesis chapter 38 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of creation and providence, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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