Scripture · Old Testament
Genesis 38:9
Genesis 38:9 is verse 9 of Genesis chapter 38, shown here in the Berean Standard Bible.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
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.
Read in context
Genesis 38:7–11 · Berean Standard Bible
7 But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; so the LORD put him to death.
8 Then 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.”
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.
10 What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well.
11 Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house.
Read all of Genesis 38Hebrew words
Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).
Study Genesis 38:9
Cross-references
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.
Deuteronomy 25:6The 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 1:11But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands?
Ruth 4:10Moreover, 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 home. You are witnesses today.”
Job 5:2For resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.
Proverbs 27:4Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
Titus 3:3For 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 3:14But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
James 3:16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
James 4:5Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?