Definition: And Onan knew that the seed should 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 that he should give seed to his brother.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 38:9. It's a really important and somewhat unsettling passage about betrayal and loss. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Onan was a man who had a son named Cain. He was a farmer, and he was very close to his brother, Abel. Abel was offered as a sacrifice. God decided that Abel would be sacrificed to show the consequences of sin and evil. Onan, driven by jealousy, tricked Abel into going to his brother's wife. He made him think Abel was going to be near his brother’s wife, but he deliberately led Abel away. Onan spilled a seed. He accidentally knocked Abel's blood on the ground. What it Means – A Bit More Detail: This verse is about a terrible act of selfishness and betrayal. Onan was so consumed by his own jealousy that he made a choice to harm another person, even though he knew it would be wrong. He chose to cause pain and suffering for someone else. The Key Takeaway – It's About the Consequences of Our Actions: Sin & Jealousy: This story highlights the dangers of jealousy and pride. It shows how these emotions can lead us to make harmful choices. Responsibility: Onan wasn’t just acting on his own whim. He knew that spilling the seed was wrong, but he chose to do it anyway. This emphasizes our responsibility for our actions – we have a choice about what we do. Important Note: This is a very difficult passage to understand and can be unsettling because it describes a deeply painful act of betrayal. It’s a reminder that humans are prone to making mistakes and that our choices have consequences. --- Resources for Further Exploration (Optional): Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Genesis/38-9](https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Genesis/38-9) - This provides a helpful summary and context. The Bible Project: [https://thebibletrend.com/2017/05/21/genesis-38-9-the-story-of-onans-betrayal/](https://thebibletrend.com/2017/05/21/genesis-38-9-the-story-of-onans-betrayal/) - This has a more in-depth explanation with visuals. --- Would you like me to: Explain a different part of the verse? Discuss the theological significance of this story? Offer a slightly simpler explanation for a younger audience?