Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
But Onan knew that the offspring wouldn't be his own heir, so whenever he had sexual relations with his brother's wife, he would spill his semen on the ground to avoid fathering offspring for his brother.
New American Standard Bible
Onan knew that the
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.
Holman Bible
But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his, so whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he released his semen on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother.
A Conservative Version
And Onan knew that the seed would not be his. And it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother.
American Standard Version
And Onan knew that the seed would 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 he should give seed to his brother.
Amplified
Onan knew that the child (heir) would not be his [but his dead brother’s]; so whenever he lay with his brother’s widow, he spilled his seed on the ground [to prevent conception], so that he would not give a child to his brother.
Bible in Basic English
But Onan, seeing that the offspring would not be his, went in to his brother's wife, but let his seed go on to the earth, so that he might not get offspring for his brother.
Darby Translation
But when Onan knew that the seed should not be his own, it came to pass when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, in order to give no seed to his brother.
Julia Smith Translation
And Onan will know that not to him will be the seed; and it was when he went in to his brother's wife, he destroyed upon the earth, not to give seed to his brother.
King James 2000
And Onan knew that the descendant would 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 a descendant to his brother.
Lexham Expanded Bible
But Onan knew that the offspring would not be for him, so whenever he went in to the wife of his brother he would waste [it] on the ground so as not to give offspring to his brother.
Modern King James verseion
And Onan knew that the seed would not be his. And it happened when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled on the ground, not giving seed to his brother.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
And when Onan perceived that the seed should not be his: therefore when he went into his brother's wife, he spilled it on the ground, because he would not give seed unto his brother.
NET Bible
But Onan knew that the child would not be considered his. So whenever he had sexual relations with his brother's wife, he withdrew prematurely so as not to give his brother a descendant.
New Heart English Bible
Onan knew that the seed wouldn't be his; and it happened, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother.
The Emphasized Bible
And Onan knew that the seed would not be his, - and so although he did go in unto his brothers wife, yet made he waste upon the ground, so as not to give seed to his brother.
Webster
And Onan knew that the seed would not be his: and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he frustrated the purpose, lest he should give seed to his brother.
World English Bible
Onan knew that the seed wouldn't be his; and it happened, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother.
Youngs Literal Translation
and Onan knoweth that the seed is not reckoned his; and it hath come to pass, if he hath gone in unto his brother's wife, that he hath destroyed it to the earth, so as not to give seed to his brother;
Themes
Adultery » Instances of » Judah
Inheritance » Provisions for inheritance under levirate marriages
Onan » Killed for his refusal to raise seed (offspring) for his deceased brother
Topics
Interlinear
Yada`
Zera`
'im
'ach
Shachath
References
Word Count of 20 Translations in Genesis 38:9
Verse Info
Context Readings
Judah And Tamar
8 So Judah instructed Onan, "You are to have sexual relations with your dead brother's wife, performing the duty of a brother-in-law with her, and have offspring for your brother." 9 But Onan knew that the offspring wouldn't be his own heir, so whenever he had sexual relations with his brother's wife, he would spill his semen on the ground to avoid fathering offspring for his brother. 10 The LORD considered what Onan was doing to be evil, so he put him to death, too.
Phrases
Cross References
Deuteronomy 25:6
The firstborn whom she will bear will continue the name of the dead brother, so his name will not be erased from Israel.
Ruth 1:11
But Naomi responded, "Go back, my daughters. Why go with me? Are there still sons to be born to me as future husbands for you?
Ruth 4:10
along with Mahlon's wife Ruth the Moabite woman. I will marry her to continue the family name as an inheritance, so that the name of the deceased does not disappear from among his relatives, nor from the public record. You are all witnesses today!"
Job 5:2
For wrath will slay a fool; zealous anger will kill the naive.
Proverbs 27:4
Wrath can be fierce and anger overwhelms but who can stand up to jealousy?
Titus 3:3
After all, we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures, spending our days in malice and jealousy. We were despised, and we hated one another.
James 3:14
But if you have bitter jealousy and rivalry in your hearts, stop boasting and slandering the truth.
James 3:16
For wherever jealousy and rivalry exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.
James 4:5
Or do you think the Scripture means nothing when it says that the Spirit that God caused to live in us jealously yearns for us?