Thematic Bible: Onan
Thematic Bible
Onan » Killed for his refusal to raise seed (offspring) for his deceased brother
Judah’s sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite woman. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the Lord’s sight, so He put him to death.
Perez’s sons:
She conceived again, gave birth to a son, and named him Onan.
Then Judah said to Onan, "Sleep with your brother's wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and produce offspring for your brother." 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. What he did was evil in the Lord's sight, so He put him to death also.