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

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 38:4. It's a pretty intense and somewhat unsettling passage about a man named Onan. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: Onan was a man: The verse tells us that Onan was a man who had a wife, and he had a child. He conceived again: This is the key part. He had a second pregnancy. He bore a son: This child grew up and became a man named Cain. She called his name "Onan": This is where it gets tricky. She gave him a special, mournful name – "Onan." What Happened Next? The Bible describes a really terrible and prolonged suffering for this son, Cain. He lived a long, miserable life, plagued by illness and death. He was constantly dying, and his wife, Eve, suffered greatly as well. Why is it significant? This story is often interpreted as a warning about the dangers of pride and vanity. It shows that: Pride can lead to downfall: Onan was so proud he wanted to be the best at everything – even in his own death. This pride caused him to become reckless and neglectful of his family. God’s judgment is inevitable: The story highlights that God doesn't just punish people for their actions; He also judges them based on their behavior and choices. Important Note: It’s important to remember this story is in the Old Testament, and it's a complex one with layers of meaning. It’s not meant to be a comfortable story! --- Do you want me to: Explain why this story is significant? Discuss a different aspect of the story (like the symbolism of Onan)? Offer a more modern interpretation of the lesson it teaches?