Devine Scripture

Genesis 38:8

What does Genesis 38:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 38:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother unto her, and raise up seed to thy brother.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother unto her, and raise up seed to thy brother.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then Judah said to Onan, Go in to your brother's wife and do what it is right for a husband's brother to do; make her your wife and get offspring for your brother.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Judah saith to Onan, `Go in unto the wife of thy brother, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Juda, therefore, said to Onan his son: Go in to thy brother's wife and marry her, that thou mayst raise seed to thy brother.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then Judah said to Onan, Go in to thy brother's wife, and fulfil to her the brother-in-law's duty, and raise up seed to thy brother.

Context

v.7And Er, Judah’s first-born, was wicked in the sight of Jehovah; and Jehovah slew him.

v.8This passage

v.9And Onan knew that the seed would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ruth 4:5

    Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.

  • Leviticus 18:16

    Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.

  • Numbers 36:8

    And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may possess every man the inheritance of his fathers.

  • Ruth 1:11

    And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

  • Matthew 22:23

    On that day there came to him Sadducees, they that say that there is no resurrection: and they asked him,

  • Deuteronomy 25:5

    If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother unto her.

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