a plain interpretation of the text as a condemnation of contraception, and he did so only in the context of his anti-Gnostic polemic". Bible scholars maintained that the story does not refer to masturbation, but to coitus interruptus. Bible scholars even maintain that the Bible does not claim that masturbation would be sinful. Although the story of Onan does not involve masturbation, according to Peter Lewis Allen, some theologians found "a common element" in both coitus interruptus (also known as onanism) and masturbation, as well as anal intercourse and other forms of nonmarital and nonvaginal sexual acts, which are considered wrongful acts. Onanism The term onanism has come to refer to "masturbation" in many modern languages – for example Hebrew (אוננות, onanút), German (Onanie), Greek (αυνανισμός, avnanismós), Japanese (オナニー, onanī), and Swedish (onani) – based on an interpretation of the Onan story. The word onanism is not based on the biblical story of Onan itself but on an interpretation of that biblical story, nor is the word onanism found in any form in the biblical texts. Thus the etymological connection of onanism (in the sense of masturbation) with Onan’s name is misleading. The Merriam-Webster'' online dictionary defines onanism as: masturbation coitus interruptus self-abuse. Notes References Book of Genesis people Masturbation Onanism Sexuality in the Bible Tribe of Judah