Story · 22 · The Matriarch

Onan's refusal

Judah's second son, Onan, refuses to give his dead brother an heir, spilling his seed whenever he sleeps with Tamar. God kills him.

Selfishness has consequences.

Dig deeper

Our word 'onanism' derives from his name.

Bible reference: Genesis 38:8–10

Source: Why the Bible Began, pp. 362

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