Original Word: אוֹנָן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ownan
Pronunciation: oh-NAHN
Phonetic Spelling: (o-nawn')
Definition: Onan
Meaning: Onan

Onan

A variation of 'Ownow; strong; Onan, a son of Judah -- Onan.

see HEBREW 'Ownow

Word Origin
from the same as on
Definition
"vigorous," a son of Judah
NASB Translation
Onan (8).

אוֺנָן proper name, masculine (vigorous) son of Judah Genesis 38:4,8,9; Genesis 46:12 (twice in verse); Numbers 26:19 (twice in verse); 1 Chronicles 2:3.

Word Origin: Derived from the Hebrew root אָנָה (anah), which can mean "to exert oneself" or "to mourn."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct corresponding Strong's Greek entries for the Hebrew name Onan, as it is a proper noun specific to the Hebrew text. However, the concept of levirate marriage and related themes can be found in Greek texts, but they do not directly correspond to the name Onan.

Usage: The name Onan appears in the Hebrew Bible as a personal name. It is most notably associated with the second son of Judah and Shua's daughter, who is mentioned in the Book of Genesis.

Context: Onan is a biblical figure found in the Book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 38. He is the second son of Judah and his Canaanite wife, the daughter of Shua. Onan's story is primarily known for his refusal to fulfill the levirate marriage duty to his deceased brother Er's widow, Tamar. According to the custom, Onan was expected to produce offspring in his brother's name to ensure the continuation of the family line. However, Onan practiced coitus interruptus, deliberately preventing conception. This act displeased the LORD, and as a result, Onan was struck dead. The account of Onan is often cited in discussions about the levirate marriage law and its implications. The narrative highlights themes of duty, disobedience, and divine retribution. Onan's actions and their consequences are recorded in Genesis 38:8-10 (BSB): "Then Judah said to Onan, 'Sleep with your brother’s wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother.' But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to avoid providing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the LORD’s sight; so the LORD put him to death also."

אוֹנָ֔ן אוֹנָֽן׃ אונן אונן׃ וְאוֹנָ֑ן וְאוֹנָ֖ן וְאוֹנָ֛ן וְאוֹנָן֙ ואונן לְאוֹנָ֔ן לאונן ’ō·w·nān ’ōwnān lə’ōwnān lə·’ō·w·nān leoNan oNan veoNan wə’ōwnān wə·’ō·w·nānInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts