Who was Onan in the bible?

Onan was a son of Judah, named in the Genesis narrative about Judah’s family; his name is explained in a lexicon as deriving from a form meaning “strong,” with a component linked to Ono (a place-name).

Onan in Scripture

Onan first appears in the account of Judah’s children by Shua’s daughter. Genesis records his birth in a brief notice:

“She conceived again, and bore a son; and she named him Onan.” (Genesis 38:4)

The wider setting places Onan among Judah’s sons. The same chapter introduces Judah’s family life and the birth order of his sons, including Onan:

“There, Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite man named Shua. He took her, and went in to her.” (Genesis 38:2)

“She conceived, and bore a son; and he named him Er.” (Genesis 38:3)

“She conceived again, and bore a son; and she named him Onan.” (Genesis 38:4)

“She yet again bore a son, and named him Shelah. He was at Chezib when she bore him.” (Genesis 38:5)

The narrative then describes the marriage of Er, Judah’s firstborn, and the death of Er:

“Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.” (Genesis 38:6)

“Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in Yahweh’s sight. So Yahweh killed him.” (Genesis 38:7)

After Er’s death, Judah directed Onan to take Er’s wife and fulfill a familial duty to produce offspring in Er’s name. The instruction is given plainly:

“Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.”” (Genesis 38:8)

Onan’s response is described in terms of his motive and his actions. Genesis states that Onan understood the outcome of producing offspring would not benefit him personally, and it describes what he did when he went in to Tamar:

“Onan knew that the offspring wouldn’t be his; and when he went in to his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground, lest he should give offspring to his brother.” (Genesis 38:9)

The chapter then gives Yahweh’s evaluation of Onan’s deed and the result:

“The thing which he did was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and he killed him also.” (Genesis 38:10)

With both Er and Onan dead, the narrative turns to Judah’s words to Tamar, now twice widowed. Judah told her to wait as a widow until Shelah grew up, and the text also supplies Judah’s stated fear:

“Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father’s house, until Shelah, my son, is grown up;” for he said, “Lest he also die, like his brothers.” Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.” (Genesis 38:11)

From that point, the chapter’s main action shifts away from Onan (who has already been killed) and continues with the developing situation between Judah and Tamar. Judah’s wife (Shua’s daughter) died, and after Judah was comforted he traveled with his friend Hirah:

“After many days, Shua’s daughter, the wife of Judah, died. Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheep shearers to Timnah, he and his friend Hirah, the Adullamite.” (Genesis 38:12)

Tamar learned of Judah’s movements and acted because she had not been given to Shelah as wife despite his being grown:

“Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”” (Genesis 38:13)

“She took off the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she wasn’t given to him as a wife.” (Genesis 38:14)

Judah mistook Tamar for a prostitute and negotiated a pledge; the account specifies the items given as security and reports that Tamar conceived by Judah. These details form the immediate aftermath of the household disruption initiated earlier by the deaths of Er and Onan:

“When Judah saw her, he thought that she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face.” (Genesis 38:15)

“He gave them to her, and came in to her, and she conceived by him.” (Genesis 38:18)

Later, when Judah was told Tamar was pregnant “by prostitution,” he demanded punishment, but Tamar produced the pledge, and Judah acknowledged the items and made his statement about Tamar’s relative righteousness:

“About three months later, Judah was told, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute. Moreover, behold, she is with child by prostitution.” Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.”” (Genesis 38:24)

“When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man who owns these.” She also said, “Please discern whose these are—the signet, and the cords, and the staff.”” (Genesis 38:25)

“Judah acknowledged them, and said, “She is more righteous than I, because I didn’t give her to Shelah, my son.” He knew her again no more.” (Genesis 38:26)

The chapter ends with the birth of twins to Tamar, but Onan’s direct role in the narrative is limited to his being born, being commanded to “raise up offspring” for his brother, refusing to do so as described, and being killed for what Yahweh judged “evil.”

Outside Genesis 38, Onan is also listed in genealogical and tribal contexts. Chronicles names him among Judah’s sons and links the three sons (Er, Onan, Shelah) to their mother, Shua’s daughter, while also repeating Er’s death:

“The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah; which three were born to him of Shua’s daughter the Canaanitess. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in Yahweh’s sight; and he killed him.” (1 Chronicles 2:3)

Genesis later summarizes Judah’s sons and notes where Er and Onan died:

“The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.” (Genesis 46:12)

Numbers likewise lists them as sons of Judah and repeats their deaths in the same location:

“The sons of Judah: Er and Onan. Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.” (Numbers 26:19)

Name and Meaning

In Hebrew Onan is written אוֹנָן, transliterated ‘Ownan and pronounced “o-nawn.” A lexicon explains the name as a variation of a related form meaning “strong,” and it connects the derivation to a component word ‘Ownow (אוֹנוֹ), identified as Ono, a place in Palestine.

Observation

Onan’s brief biblical portrait is shaped by the stated purpose given to him—“raise up offspring for your brother” (Genesis 38:8)—and by the verdict on his refusal: “The thing which he did was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and he killed him also” (Genesis 38:10).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Onan mean?

Onan means “strong.”

How many times does Onan appear in the Bible?

Onan appears 6 times.

Who was Onan?

Onan was a son of Judah. Judah’s sons are listed as “Er, Onan, and Shelah” (1 Chronicles 2:3).

What did Judah tell Onan to do regarding his brother’s wife?

Judah told Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her, and raise up offspring for your brother” (Genesis 38:8).

Explore Further

If you found this page about Onan interesting and would like to discover more about other biblical characters, explore our comprehensive Encyclopedia of Biblical Characters. For those looking to delve deeper into the Greek origins of these names and terms, our Greek Lexicon is an invaluable resource.

Sources: Name and occurrence data from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and STEPBible reference data (CC BY). Scripture quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).