The phrase "spilling your seed" is often associated with the biblical account of Onan, found in the Book of Genesis. This term is typically understood to refer to the act of deliberately wasting or misusing one's reproductive potential, particularly in the context of sexual relations.

Biblical Account:

The primary scriptural reference for this topic is Genesis 38:8-10. In this passage, Judah instructs his son Onan to fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law by marrying his deceased brother's wife, Tamar, to produce offspring for his brother. The Berean Standard Bible states:

"Then Judah said to Onan, 'Sleep with your brother’s wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother.' But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he spilled his seed on the ground to avoid providing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the LORD’s sight; so He put him to death also."

Theological Implications:

From a conservative Christian perspective, the act of spilling one's seed, as demonstrated by Onan, is viewed as a violation of God's design for sexual relations and procreation. Onan's actions were seen as selfish and disobedient, as he refused to fulfill his familial and covenantal responsibilities. The punishment he received underscores the seriousness with which God views the misuse of sexual faculties.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

The account of Onan has been historically interpreted as a condemnation of contraception and any sexual act that deliberately thwarts the procreative purpose of marriage. This interpretation has influenced various Christian teachings on the sanctity of life and the purpose of sexual intimacy within marriage. The emphasis is placed on the openness to life and the responsibility to adhere to God's commandments regarding family and procreation.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, the practice of levirate marriage, where a brother-in-law would marry the widow of a deceased brother to produce offspring in his name, was a common custom. This practice ensured the continuation of the family line and the protection of the widow. Onan's refusal to comply with this custom was not only a personal affront but also a disruption of social and familial order.

Contemporary Relevance:

The account of Onan continues to be relevant in discussions about sexual ethics, family planning, and the moral responsibilities of individuals within a marriage. It serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning personal actions with divine intentions and the broader implications of one's choices on family and community.

Related Biblical Passages:

While the account of Onan is the most direct reference to spilling seed, other biblical passages emphasize the sanctity of life and the divine purpose of human sexuality. These include:

· Psalm 127:3 : "Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward."
· Malachi 2:15 : "Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring."

These passages reinforce the view that procreation is a divine blessing and responsibility, integral to the covenant relationship between God and His people.Genesis 38:9-10
And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.
Topicalbible.org

Genesis 38:9
And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.
Topicalbible.org

Deuteronomy 23:1
He that is wounded in the stones, or has his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Topicalbible.org

Book ii Then for a While She Held Her Peace. ...
... If you intrust your seed to the furrow, will you not ... overbearing pride of the consuls,
just as your ancestors had ... 21] how he was stained by the spilling of his ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book ii then for a.htm

Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
... faith, so much as a grain of mustard-seed (Matthew 17 ... will cleanse both thee and
them from all your sins (Acts 20 ... for thee so dear a price as the spilling of his ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations against despair or doubting.htm

The Tenth Commandment
... Our nature is a seed-plot of iniquity; like charcoal that is ... is hard to carry a full
cup without spilling, and a ... say, What good have you done with your estates ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 1 the tenth commandment.htm

The Waterpots at Cana
... What a spilling of water there is ... I put his saving truth into that sermon, and that
seed cannot die ... believe that you are doing much when you have done your utmost ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the waterpots at cana.htm

The Strait Gate;
... are abhorred by the Lord Jesus; yea, to resist to the spilling of your blood, striving ...
enmity betwixt the devil and the church, and betwixt his seed and her ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

Christ
... an illustration of the fact that the true seed is the ... as kings pour wine from an
earthen cup, spilling the wine ... When your heart aches, will such a God care for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/christ.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered" (Genesis
9:2). "And God said, Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... And again, 'Though your sins be as scarlet, they ... to accomplish this everlasting
righteousness by spilling his most ... and the woman, and between thy seed and her ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... still awhile and listen; yea, enter with boldness into the holiest, and see your
Jesus as ... saving by his improving of his blood to saving by his spilling of his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... will your being furnished with these things save you from the thundering claps and
vehement batteries that the wrath of God will make upon sin and sinners in ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

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