And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.

GENESIS 38:4KJV
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Genesis 38:4 (KJV)

What does Genesis 38:4 mean?

Genesis 38:4 introduces Onan as another son of Judah and his wife. The narrator records his birth and naming, placing him in the family story that continues through the chapter.

The word “again” connects this birth with the birth of Er in the previous verse. In the KJV, Onan’s mother is the one who names him.

Where else these words appear

“Onan” Hebrew H209 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 38:8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
  • Genesis 38:9 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.
  • Numbers 26:19 The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.

“conceived” Hebrew H2029 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
  • Genesis 30:17 And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:23 And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.