Onan facts for kids

Onan (Hebrew: אוֹנָן) is a person mentioned in the Bible. His story is found in the Book of Genesis, chapter 38. He was the second son of Judah, an important figure in the Bible. Like his older brother, Er, Onan died because of his actions. The Bible says that Onan was "evil in the sight of the Lord" because he did not follow an important family custom. This custom was about helping his deceased brother's widow and continuing his brother's family line.

Who Was Onan?

Onan was a son of Judah, who was one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Jacob later became known as Israel. Judah's family line was very important in the Bible. Onan had an older brother named Er and a younger brother named Shelah. Their mother was a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua.

His Family and Story

Onan's older brother, Er, was married to a woman named Tamar. However, Er died without having any children. In those times, there was a special custom called levirate marriage. This custom meant that if a man died without children, his brother should marry the widow. The purpose was to provide children for the deceased brother, so his family name and inheritance would continue.

Onan was asked to follow this custom and marry Tamar. However, the Bible says that Onan did not want to do this. He refused to help continue his brother's family line.

Why Was Onan Punished?

The Bible states that Onan's actions were "evil in the sight of the Lord." Because of his refusal to follow this important family duty, Onan also died. The Bible describes his death as a punishment from Yahweh, which is another name for God. This story shows the importance of family duties and customs in ancient times, as described in the Bible.

Onan in the Bible

The story of Onan is part of a larger narrative in the Book of Genesis. This book tells about the beginnings of the world and the early history of the Israelite people. The story of Judah and his sons, including Onan, is found in chapter 38. This chapter is placed within the larger story of Joseph, another son of Jacob.

The Book of Genesis

The Book of Genesis is the first book of the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) and the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. It contains many important stories about creation, early human history, and the ancestors of the Israelite nation. The story of Onan helps to explain the customs and beliefs of the people during that time. It also highlights the consequences of not following what was considered right in the eyes of God.

See also

• In Spanish: Onán para niños