Genesis 38:4 kjv

And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.

Genesis 38:4 nkjv

She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan.

Genesis 38:4 niv

She conceived again and gave birth to a son and named him Onan.

Genesis 38:4 esv

She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan.

Genesis 38:4 nlt

Then she became pregnant again and gave birth to another son, and she named him Onan.

Genesis 38 verses

Genesis 38 4 Meaning

Genesis 38:4 records the conception and birth of Judah's second son, Onan, named by Judah himself. This verse signifies the ongoing growth of Judah's family, highlighting the patriarchal custom of naming children and establishing Onan as a key figure whose future actions will become pivotal in the unfolding narrative concerning Judah, his lineage, and the Mosaic Law concerning levirate marriage.

Genesis 38 4 Context

Genesis 38:4 is embedded within a significant narrative interlude that interrupts the story of Joseph's enslavement (Chapters 37-41). This chapter focuses on Judah's life and his moral decline after his brothers sold Joseph. It reveals the cultural landscape of patriarchal society, emphasizing the critical importance of male heirs for lineage continuation, land inheritance, and family honor. Specifically, this verse introduces Onan, Judah's second son born to his unnamed Canaanite wife (implied from Gen 38:2), immediately after the birth of his first son, Er. This sets the stage for the pivotal levirate marriage events that dominate the remainder of the chapter, highlighting the failures within Judah's family yet ultimately serving God's overarching purpose in preserving the messianic line.

Genesis 38 4 Word analysis

• And she conceived again: Hebrew: watyaḥal ʿôd. The word "again" (עוֹד, ʿôd) signifies a continuation from the preceding verse, Gen 38:3, where Judah's wife gave birth to his first son, Er. This continuity underlines the natural progression of building a family and providing heirs within the societal norms of the time.

• and bore a son: Hebrew: watēled bēn. A straightforward declaration of the birth of a male child. In ancient Israelite culture, the birth of a son was highly valued, securing the family name, inheritance, and tribal standing.

• and he called: Hebrew: wayyiqrāʾ. The subject "he" distinctly refers to Judah. This explicitly attributes the act of naming to Judah, underscoring his patriarchal authority and headship over his household. It signifies his active role and responsibility in establishing the identity of his sons.

• his name Onan: Hebrew: šĕmô ʿÔnān. The name Onan (אוֹנָן) is derived from a root often associated with "strength," "vigor," or "power." However, in a poetic sense, some interpretations suggest connections to "sorrow" or "lament," which proves ironic given Onan's subsequent actions and his eventual divine judgment (Gen 38:9-10). The name itself, therefore, carries a potential for foreshadowing, subtly hinting at the unused potential or tragic outcome of his "strength."

• Words-group: And she conceived again, and bore a son: This phrase emphasizes the sequential nature of procreation within Judah's household. It reinforces the expectation that a man would continue to produce male heirs to ensure the perpetuity of his lineage, thereby laying the groundwork for the significance of the upcoming levirate duty.

• Words-group: and he called his name Onan: This highlights the father's prerogative and role in bestowing identity upon his child through naming. The chosen name becomes intrinsically linked to the character and, in this narrative, subtly alludes to Onan's future failure to use his "strength" to fulfill his familial obligations, leading to a "lamentable" end.

Genesis 38 4 Bonus section

• The detail that Judah named both Er (v.3) and Onan (v.4), rather than the mother being explicitly mentioned in the naming act, underscores Judah's dominant role and patriarchal authority within his immediate family unit at this point in his life. This prepares the reader for his weighty decisions and actions throughout the chapter, especially concerning his sons and daughter-in-law Tamar.
• The inclusion of Genesis 38 is strategically placed between parts of the Joseph narrative, not just as a genealogical account but as a moral counterpoint. While Joseph is resisting temptation and growing in integrity (Gen 39), Judah is grappling with serious ethical failures (Gen 38), showcasing that God's plan often proceeds through flawed human instruments and that even within the chosen lineage, repentance and transformation are possible, which Judah later exemplifies.

Genesis 38 4 Commentary

Genesis 38:4 appears as a simple genealogical note, detailing the birth of Onan, Judah’s second son. However, its concise declaration is profoundly significant. By explicitly stating Judah "called his name Onan," the verse establishes the father's authority in bestowing identity and subtly links Onan’s name (meaning "strength") to the impending narrative. This act of naming prefigures the pivotal moment when Onan’s "strength" would be required to perform the levirate duty for his deceased brother Er. His subsequent refusal, a misuse of his physical capability and an act of willful defiance against the communal expectation of continuing the family line, contrasts sharply with the potential embedded in his name. This seemingly brief verse thus introduces a character whose actions will dramatically illustrate human disobedience, divine judgment, and God’s sovereign determination to preserve a lineage critical for His redemptive plan, regardless of human failings.