Bible Study Tools
Language Tools
Historical Writings
Pastoral Resources
Personal Resources
Site Resources
Lectionary Calendar
Friday, July 11th, 2025
the Week of Proper 9 / Ordinary 14
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!
Home » Bible Dictionaries » Holman Bible Dictionary » Letter O

Bible Dictionaries
Onan

Holman Bible Dictionary

Search for…
Enter query below:
or
1 2 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Onam
Next Entry
Onesimus
Resource Toolbox
Print Article
Additional Links
(oh' nan) Personal name meaning, “power.” A son of Judah and his Canaanite wife, Shuah (Genesis 38:2-8 ). Following the death of his older brother, Er, Onan was to have married the widow and produced a son who would carry on Er's name. Onan repeatedly failed to complete the responsibilities of the marriage and thus God killed him (Genesis 38:8-10 ). (See Levirate Law; Marriage).

Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Onan'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hbd/​o/onan.html. 1991.
terms of use • privacy policy • • rights and permissions • contact sl • about sl • link to sl
To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient contact form
StudyLight.org © 2001-2025
Powered by Lightspeed Technology
 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile