Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ONAN

(Heb. ʾônān)

The second son of Judah and the Canaanite Shua. After his older brother Er died an early death because of his wickedness, Er’s wife Tamar was left without a son. According to the custom Onan’s father Judah asked him to enter a levirate marriage with his sister-in-law in order to raise an offspring who would preserve the name of his brother (Gen. 38:8; cf. Deut. 25:6). Onan, however, repeatedly frustrated his union with Tamar by spilling his semen on the ground, thereby avoiding his responsibility toward his deceased brother. For this reason the Lord brought about Onan’s death.

The name Onan (“vigor, wealth”) connotes generative or reproductive power. Some have surmised that the name perhaps also encompasses the connotation of “wicked,” “sinful”; but this remains without solid evidence.

Frank Hasel







Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)

Info Language Arrow Return to Top
Prayer Tents is a Christian mission organization that serves Christians around the world and their local bodies to make disciples ("evangelize") more effectively in their communities. Prayer Tents provides resources to enable Christians to form discipleship-focused small groups and make their gatherings known so that other "interested" people may participate and experience Christ in their midst. Our Vision is to make disciples in all nations through the local churches so that anyone seeking God can come to know Him through relationships with other Christians near them.

© Prayer Tents 2024.
Prayer Tents Facebook icon Prayer Tents Twitter icon Prayer Tents Youtube icon Prayer Tents Linkedin icon