Onam
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Onam is a biblical figure mentioned in the genealogies of the Old Testament. He appears in the lineage of the tribes of Israel, specifically within the context of the descendants of Esau and Judah. The name Onam is found in two distinct genealogical records, each associated with different family lines.

1. Onam, Descendant of Esau:

Onam is first mentioned in the genealogical records of Esau, the brother of Jacob. In Genesis 36:23 , Onam is listed as one of the sons of Shobal, a descendant of Seir the Horite. The verse states: "These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam." This Onam is part of the Horite clan, which inhabited the region of Seir before the descendants of Esau took possession of the land. The Horites were known as the original inhabitants of Edom, and their integration into Esau's lineage signifies the merging of different peoples and cultures in the region.

2. Onam, Descendant of Judah:

The second mention of Onam is found in the genealogies of the tribe of Judah. In 1 Chronicles 2:26-28 , Onam is identified as a descendant of Jerahmeel, who is a son of Hezron, a prominent figure in the tribe of Judah. The passage reads: "Jerahmeel had another wife named Atarah, who was the mother of Onam. The sons of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron, were Ram his firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah. Onam's sons were Shammai and Jada." This Onam is part of the extended family of Judah, highlighting the complex and interconnected nature of Israelite genealogies.

Significance in Biblical Genealogies:

The inclusion of Onam in these genealogical records underscores the importance of family lineage and heritage in the biblical narrative. Genealogies served not only as historical records but also as a means of establishing identity and continuity for the tribes of Israel. Onam's presence in both the Edomite and Judahite lines reflects the broader biblical theme of God's providence and the unfolding of His plan through diverse family histories.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The genealogies in which Onam appears provide insight into the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East. The integration of different peoples, such as the Horites and the descendants of Esau, into the broader narrative of Israel's history illustrates the dynamic and often complex relationships between neighboring tribes and nations. These records also emphasize the significance of kinship and inheritance in maintaining tribal identity and territorial claims.

In summary, Onam is a minor yet noteworthy figure within the biblical genealogies, representing the intricate tapestry of family lines that contribute to the unfolding account of God's chosen people. His mention in both the Edomite and Judahite contexts highlights the interconnectedness of the tribes and the divine orchestration of history as recorded in the Scriptures.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Onam

Onan, same as On

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Onam

(strong).

  1. One of the sons of Shobal the son of Seir. (Genesis 36:23; 1 Chronicles 1:40) (B.C. 1964.)
  2. The son of Jerahmeel by his wife Atarah. (1 Chronicles 2:26,28)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ONAM

o'-na ('onam, "vigorous"; compare ONAN):

(1) "Son" of Shobal "son" of Seir the Horite (Genesis 36:23 1 Chronicles 1:40).

(2) "Son" of Jerahmeel by Atarah; perhaps the name is connected with Onan son of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:26, 28).

Strong's Hebrew
208. Onam -- "vigorous," the name of an Edomite and of an ...
... 207, 208. Onam. 209 . "vigorous," the name of an Edomite and of an Israelite.
Transliteration: Onam Phonetic Spelling: (o-nawm') Short Definition: Onam. ...
/hebrew/208.htm - 6k
Library

Chapter xxxvi
... And these are the children of Shobal: Alvan and Manahath and Ebal, Shepho and
Onam. And these are the children of Zibeon: both Ajah and Anah. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

Thesaurus
Onam (4 Occurrences)
...ONAM. o'-na ('onam, "vigorous"; compare ONAN): (1) "Son" of Shobal "son" of Seir
the Horite (Genesis 36:23 1 Chronicles 1:40). ...Onam (4 Occurrences). ...
/o/onam.htm - 8k

Onan (6 Occurrences)
... o'-nan ('onan, "vigorous"; compare ONAM, a "son" of Judah (Genesis 38:4, 8-10; Genesis
46:12 Numbers 26:19 1 Chronicles 2:3); "The story of the untimely death ...
/o/onan.htm - 9k

Jada (2 Occurrences)
... JADA. ja'-da (yadha`, "the knowing one"): Son of Onam and grandson of Jerahmeel
by his wife Atarah (1 Chronicles 2:26, 28, 32). Multi-Version Concordance ...
/j/jada.htm - 7k

Manahath (3 Occurrences)
... Manahath (3 Occurrences). Genesis 36:23 These are the children of Shobal: Alvan,
Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/m/manahath.htm - 8k

Man'ahath (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Man'ahath (2 Occurrences). Genesis 36:23 And these are
the children of Shobal: Alvan and Manahath and Ebal, Shepho and Onam. (See RSV) ...
/m/man'ahath.htm - 6k

Atarah (1 Occurrence)
... ATARAH. at'-a-ra, a-ta'-ra (`aTarah, "crown"): One of Jerahmeel's wives and mother
of Onam (1 Chronicles 2:26). Multi-Version Concordance Atarah (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/atarah.htm - 6k

Alvan (2 Occurrences)
... Alvan (2 Occurrences). Genesis 36:23 These are the children of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath,
Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/a/alvan.htm - 7k

Shobal (9 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:23 These are the children of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho,
and Onam. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/shobal.htm - 10k

Shepho (2 Occurrences)
... Shepho (2 Occurrences). Genesis 36:23 These are the children of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath,
Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/shepho.htm - 7k

Ebal (8 Occurrences)
... Ebal (8 Occurrences). Genesis 36:23 These are the children of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath,
Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/e/ebal.htm - 14k

Resources
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Concordance
Onam (4 Occurrences)

Genesis 36:23
These are the children of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 1:40
The sons of Shobal: Alian, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah, and Anah.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 2:26
Jerahmeel had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 2:28
The sons of Onam were Shammai, and Jada. The sons of Shammai: Nadab, and Abishur.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Onam

Onam: A Son of Shobal

Onam: Son of Jerahmeel

Related Terms

Onan (6 Occurrences)

Jada (2 Occurrences)

Manahath (3 Occurrences)

Man'ahath (2 Occurrences)

Atarah (1 Occurrence)

Alvan (2 Occurrences)

Shobal (9 Occurrences)

Shepho (2 Occurrences)

Ebal (8 Occurrences)

Zibeon (7 Occurrences)

Zideon (1 Occurrence)

Zib'eon (7 Occurrences)

Onager (1 Occurrence)

Jerahmeel (9 Occurrences)

Jerah'meel (8 Occurrences)

Al'ian (1 Occurrence)

Aiah (7 Occurrences)

At'arah (1 Occurrence)

Abi'shur (1 Occurrence)

Abishur (2 Occurrences)

Ai'ah (5 Occurrences)

Alian (1 Occurrence)

Ajah (2 Occurrences)

Shammai (5 Occurrences)

Sham'mai (4 Occurrences)

Shephi (1 Occurrence)

Anah (10 Occurrences)

Ruler (329 Occurrences)

Nadab (21 Occurrences)

Onager
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