Note: You can find the original discussion on Onan in the  March 9, 2011 posting on this blog: http://artofmalemasturbation.tumblr.com/post/3748432662/onan-and-onanism

Onan and Onanism

Many of us are “believers,” but many of us are not.  Wherever we may be on such matters, my purpose here is only to scrutinize closely what many have alleged about masturbation or “onanism”—supposedly sinful activity named after poor Onan, reportedly one of its first practitioners.

Let’s put the “masturbation-is-sinful” claim under the magnifying glass by examining the relevant biblical text considered sacred by Jews, Christians, and Muslims.  We can only wish that people, regardless of faith (or lack of same), would be more careful, not imposing their own (mis)interpretations on the text they consider sacred. How much guilt has been piled on us all by teaching boys and men that they were like Onan—sowing the seeds of their own destruction !

Much too much has been made of Onan’s story.  If we read it in context, it becomes clear that he is not being punished either for masturbation or for withdrawal from—coitus interruptus with—his brother’s widow, as many have alleged. True, “he spilled it [his seed] on the ground,” but that’s not in itself why he’s receiving capital punishment.

Onan’s “sin” is quite simple—disobedience of a godly command presumably intended to care for his brother’s widow and family (his brother’s “seed”), a commitment Onan seems to have resisted. It apparently was then customary and expected, when a brother died, not only to take and care for his widow as a wife, but also his children.  Onan apparently didn’t mind having sex with his sister-in-law, but he didn’t want the responsibilities that come with doing so.  Familiar story.

Whatever else one may think of Onan’s story and the punishment he received, it is hardly condemnation of masturbation.  In fact, one is hard pressed to find any scriptural references to the craft throughout the biblical text (more on that in a later post). Unfortunately, that hasn’t kept others from spinning their own harmful tales of guilt-laden, moral condemnation of what comes naturally to men (and women) with or without other outlets for their sexuality.

But don’t take my word for it.  Here’s the text:

Onan’s Story in Context

Gen.38
[1] And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah.
[2] And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her.
[3] And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er.
[4] And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan.
[5] And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him.
[6] And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.
[7] And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.
[8] And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
[9] 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.
[10] And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also….

End of Onan’s story….

Source: http://iamyouasheisme.wordpress.com/?s=Onan

Below is a cartoon satire of Onan’s story.

Source: http://www.illustratedbiblestories.ca/

Blogger’s Note: Was Onan really put to death for masturbating?  No, not really, but this (mis)interpretation of the story has been convenient for those who for one reason or another have tried to discourage the craft. It would be laughable were guilt-laden harm not imposed on men (and boys) naturally relating to their inner selves and responding to nature’s call.

Scene One

“Luckily for Tamar, it was the custom of the time that the next oldest brother would marry his sister in law in order to give her children. Next in line was Onan. Judah told his son that he must do his duty and impregnate Tamar so she could fulfill her only purpose in being alive.

“But the problem for Onan was that he liked things the way they were. As it stood, his father’s inheritance would be divided between him and his other brother Shelah. But if Onan gave Tamar a son, then that son would get a full portion of Judah’s inheritance, leaving Onan with quite a bit less. What a nuisance that would be.

“Mind you, Tamar was pretty darned cute. Onan wondered to himself if he could have it both ways.”

Scene Two

“So Onan had sex with Tamar but at the last minute, just as he was about to climax, he pulled his penis out of out of Tamar’s vagina, leaving her startled and confused.”

Scene Three

“The feeling was way too intense and he simply had to finish off. So he rubbed his penis just a little bit more till semen came bursting forth spilling all over the ground.”

Scene Four

“Of course, God had seen it all and watched Onan masturbate. When God saw Onan’s precious seed falling to the floor, He was incensed and decided that Onan would have to be sorted out.”

Scene Five: The Finale

“God really taught Onan a lesson with that. As Onan felt the last breath of life draining out of him, he decided that he would never masturbate again.”

P.S.  “Poor Tamar was just having no luck with men. Every time someone found a husband for her, God would kill him. Still, there was Judah’s other son Shelah. He’d do in a pinch, she thought. But by now Judah was a bit shell shocked. He was frightened that if he let his only remaining son marry Tamar, God would kill him too. So Judah refused to let Shelah marry Tamar. For now it looked like she might have to remain childless forever.”