Bible Strands
Genesis 38:4
Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Onan.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the birth of Judah’s second son while Tamar is carrying him, immediately following the birth of her firstborn. The account occurs within the chronological sequence of Judah’s family line in Canaan.
The words — The Hebrew term עוֹד (ʿōd) literally means "again," marking a repeated conception event. The verb וַתֵּלֶד (wattēled) translates to "and she bore," denoting the completion of the childbirth.
The thread — This birth is later listed in Genesis 46:12 and Numbers 26:19 as part of Judah’s sons, with both Er and Onan recorded as having died in Canaan. The verse anchors Onan’s genealogical position before his subsequent narrative fate.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge Onan’s documented origin before his later actions, demanding strict attention to the family record. It establishes a factual baseline that precedes any inferred judgment about his character.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.
Cross-references
- Genesis 46:12 The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.
- Numbers 26:19 The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but they died in the land of Canaan.