Vayeishev 38:4 · EXTRA

EXTRA · Parashas Vayeishev · Passuk 38:4 · not a Torah Temimah citation on this passuk

The Complete Passuk

וַתַּ֥הַר ע֖וֹד וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֑ן וַתִּקְרָ֥א אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ אוֹנָֽן׃

She conceived again and bore a son, and named him Onan.

Classical source (EXTRA side-ring): Yalkut Shimoni 145.

Core Text

וַתִּקְרָא אֶת שְׁמוֹ אוֹנָן — שֶׁהֵבִיא אֲנִינוּת לְעוֹלָם.

English: “And she called his name Onan” — for he brought mourning (aninut) into the world.

In context: Onan’s name is linked to the grief his conduct would cause.

Derash on the verse (Yalkut) — not a formal named middah of the 13. Name etymology anticipates the narrative outcome.

Onan’s name is associated with the mourning that followed from his sin.