Original Word: בֵּן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ben
Pronunciation: ben
Phonetic Spelling: (bane)
KJV: + afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, + spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth
NASB: sons, son, old, children, young, men, son's
Word Origin: [from H1129 (בָּנָה - built)]
1. a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like H0001 H0251, etc.))
From banah; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)) -- + afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, + spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
see HEBREW banah
see HEBREW 'ab
see HEBREW 'ach
1 son, male child, born of a woman Genesis 4:25; Genesis 16:11,15; Genesis 17:19 compare Genesis 17:16; Genesis 18:10,14; Genesis 19:37,38 #NAME?בֶּןבִּֿטְנָהּ Isaiah 49:15; begotten by a man Genesis 5:4f; Genesis 5:28; Genesis 6:10; Genesis 11:11f. + often; "" (בָּנוֺת) בַּת daughter Genesis 5:4,7,10f. Genesis 11:11,13,15f; Exodus 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:14; Deuteronomy 16:11; Deuteronomy 16:14; 1 Samuel 30:3; 1 Samuel 30:6; Job 1:2; Job 42:13 +; of son as desired Genesis 30:2 (compare Genesis 15:2; Genesis 16:2; Genesis 17:17; Genesis 18:10f.; 1 Samuel 1:5-11) 2 Kings 4:14,28; Psalm 127:3 +; rejoiced in Genesis 30:6 +; beloved Exodus 21:5; 2 Samuel 19:1; 2 Samuel 19:3; 2 Samuel 19:5; 1 Kings 3:26; cared for Deuteronomy 1:31; spared Malachi 3:17; disciplined & trained Deuteronomy 8:5; Proverbs 3:12; Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 29:17; owing reverence, obedience, etc. to parents Proverbs 6:20; Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 13:1; בִּנְךָ בְּכוֺרְךָ thy first-born son Genesis 27:32; הַבֵּן הַבְּכֹר Deuteronomy 21:15 compare 1 Samuel 8:2; בְּנָהּ הַגָּדֹל her elder son Genesis 27:15,42; בְּנוֺ הַגָּדֹל Genesis 27:1; בְּנָהּ הַקָּטָן her younger son Genesis 27:15,42. In particular
a. בֶּןאִֿמּוֺ son of his mother, i.e. own (uterine) brother Genesis 43:29, compare Genesis 27:29; Judges 8:19; Psalm 50:20; Psalm 69:9, & see אֵם; בְּנֵי אָבִיךָ sons of thy father = brethren Genesis 49:8 (poetry)
b. בְּנֵי דֹדֵיהֶן = cousins Numbers 36:11.
c. בְּנִי my son, as term of kindliness or endearment, used by Eli to Samuel 1 Samuel 3:6,16; compare 1 Samuel 4:16; 1 Samuel 24:17; 1 Samuel 26:17,21,25, see also Proverbs 1:8,10; Proverbs 2:1 +; compare בִּנְךָ, used by Benhadad of himself to Elisha 2 Kings 8:9; by Ahaz to Tiglath-pileser 2 Kings 16:7; especially to express intimate and gracious relation with God: ׳י calls Israel בְּנִי בְכֹרִי Exodus 4:22 compare Exodus 4:23; Hosea 11:1, see also Psalm 80:16 (but compare Che); בָּנִים אַתֶּם ליהוה אלהיכם Deuteronomy 14:1; בְּנֵי עֶלְיוֺן Psalm 82:6 ("" אלהים); בְּנֵי אֵלחָֿ֑י Hosea 2:1; compare further Deuteronomy 32:5 (plural) Deuteronomy 32:20 (plural) Isaiah 1:2,4; Isaiah 30:1,9; Jeremiah 3:14,22; Jeremiah 4:22; Jeremiah 31:20; of future Davidic king 2 Samuel 7:14 = 1 Chronicles 17:13 compare Psalm 2:7; expressly referred to Solomon 1 Chronicles 22:10; 1 Chronicles 28:6; also of children (offered in fire) Ezekiel 16:21.
d. בְּנֵי האלהים applied to supernatural beings Genesis 6:2,4; Job 1:6; Job 2:1; בְּנֵי אלהים Job 38:7; בְּנֵי אֵלִים Psalm 29:1 (on which compare Che's note) Psalm 89:7.
e. בֶּןאָֿדָם son of man, compare ׳בְּנֵי א, see אָדָם; בְּנֵי אִישׁ Psalm 4:3 & ("" בני אדם) Psalm 49:3; Psalm 62:10.
f. בֶּןבִּֿנְךָ = thy grandson Exodus 10:2; Deuteronomy 6:2; Judges 8:22 compare Jeremiah 27:7; plural Exodus 34:7; Deuteronomy 4:9; Deuteronomy 4:25; Judges 12:14; 2 Kings 17:41; 2Chron 8:40; Job 42:16; Psalm 128:6; Proverbs 13:22; Proverbs 17:6; Ezekiel 37:25; also בֵּן alone with similar reference Genesis 29:5 (Laban son of Nahor); Laban calls his daughters' children his own sons Genesis 31:28,43; compare Genesis 32:1; so of Naomi Ruth 4:17; בְּנֵי רְבִעִים 2 Kings 10:30 sons of the fourth Generation, and, in General, descendants Joshua 22:24,25,27 +; see also below
i. below
g. constantly, as more precise designation, added to personal name כָּלֵב בֶּןיְֿפֻנֶּה Numbers 14:30; Numbers 32:12; Numbers 34:19 +; יְהוֺשֻׁעַ בִּןנֿוּן Numbers 11:28; Numbers 14:30; Numbers 32:12,28; Numbers 34:17 +; יָרָבְעָם בֶּןנְֿבָט 1 Kings 12:2,15 +, etc.; also without personal name (often with implication of contempt) בֶּןקִֿישׁ 1 Samuel 10:11; בֶּןיִֿשַׁי 1 Samuel 20:27,30,31; 1 Samuel 22:7,8,9,13; 1 Samuel 25:10; 2 Samuel 20:1; בְּנֵי צְרוּיָה 2 Samuel 16:10; בֶּןרְֿמַלְיָהוּ Isaiah 7:4,5,9; Isaiah 8:16; בֶּןטָֽֿבְאַ֑ל Isaiah 7:6; compare also בְּנֵי לֵוִי Numbers 16:7,8.
h. designated as בֶּןזְֿקֻנִים i.e. born in old age of father Genesis 37:3; opposed to בְּנֵי הַנְּעוּרִים sons of one's youth Psalm 127:4; also בֶּןבֵּֿיתִי one born in my house Genesis 15:3 (i.e. slave) so בְּנֵי בַיִת Ecclesiastes 2:7.
i. in various combinations: (α) as expression of contumely, בֶּןֿ נַעֲוַת הַמַּרְדּוּת 1 Samuel 20:30; בֶּןהַֿמְּרַצֵּחַ הַזֶּה 2 Kings 6:32 this son of a murderer; compare בְּנֵינָֿבָל Job 30:8; בְּנֵי בְלִישֵֿׁם ib.; בְּנֵי עֹנֲַנָה Isaiah 57:3 ("" זֶרַע מְנָאֵף); compare בֶּןאִֿשָּׁה אַחֶרֶת Judges 11:2 (compare Judges 11:1); (β) as term of respect, dignity, בֶּןחֿוֺרִים son of nobles Ecclesiastes 10:17 (in Aramaic = free born); בֶּןחֲֿכָמִים Isaiah 19:11; בֶּןמַֿלְכֵיקֶֿדֶם ib.; compare בֶּןמֶֿלֶךְ Psalm 72:1 ("" מֶלֶךְ); בֶּןאֲֿמָתֶ֑ךָ Psalm 86:16 in addressing ׳י ("" עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ) & בְּנֵיעֲֿבָדֶיךָ Psalm 102:29; of noble appearance בְּנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ Judges 8:18.
j. often plural with name of ancestor, people, land, or city, to denote descendants, inhabitants, membership in a nation or family, etc.: (α) e.g. בְּנֵיעֵֿבֶר Genesis 10:21; בְּנֵיחֵֿת Genesis 23:3,5,7,10 (twice in verse); Genesis 23:11,16,18,20; Genesis 25:10; Genesis 49:32 (all P); (בְּנֵישֵֿׁת Numbers 24:17 see below 8); בְּנֵיחֲֿמוֺר Genesis 33:19; Joshua 24:32; בְּנֵי עֵשָׂו Genesis 36:5,15,19; Deuteronomy 2:4,8,12,22,29; בְּנֵי שֵׂעִיר Genesis 36:20,21; בֶּןֿ(בני)הִנֹּם Joshua 15:8 + (compare below גַּיְא); בְּנֵי לוֺט Deuteronomy 2:9,19; Psalm 83:9; בְּנֵייֿוֺסֵף (literal Genesis 46:27; Genesis 48:8; 1 Chronicles 5:1) Numbers 1:32; Numbers 26:28,37; Numbers 34:23; Numbers 36:5 (׳י ׳מַטֵּה ב) + 6 t. Joshua, compare Psalm 77:16; even בְּנֵי חֲצִי שֵׁבֶט מְנַשֶּׁה 1 Chronicles 5:23; בְּנֵי דָוַיד (literal 2 Samuel 8:18 = 1 Chronicles 18:17; 1 Chronicles 3:1,9) 2Chron 13:8; 23:3; 32:33; בְּנֵי אָסָף2Chronicles 29:13; Ezra 2:41; Ezra 3:8 + (see אָסָף); בְּנֵי קֹרַח in titles of Psalm 42-49, 84, 85, 87, 88; especially (β) בְּנֵיעַֿמּוֺן (standing designation of people of Ammon) Genesis 19:38 81t. (compare עַמּוֺן & NöZMG 1886, 171 DrSm 66); בְּנֵי יַעֲקֹב (literal Genesis 34:7,13,25,27; Genesis 35:5,22,26; Genesis 49:2) 2 Kings 17:34; Psalm 105:6; Malachi 3:6 compare Psalm 77:16; & chiefly (γ) בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (literal Genesis 42:5; Genesis 45:21; Genesis 46:5; Exodus 1:1) Exodus 1:7 613t., including Hexateuch 427 (of which 328 P, 49 E, 25 J, 25 D), Judges 61, Samuel Kings Chronicles 73 (23 in reference to ancient history, 10 in opposition to Judah); so also Vrss & variant reading sometimes for ׳בֵּית יִשׂ, e.g. Joshua 21:43 + see Di, Ezekiel 3:1 + see Co; also the reverse Ezekiel 2:3 and elsewhere; note especially יִשְׂרָאֵל ׳עַם בּ Exodus 1:9; יִשְׂרָאֵל ׳עַמִּי בּ Exodus 3:10; Exodus 7:4; עֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל Exodus 16:1,2,9,10; Exodus 17:1; Leviticus 16:5; Leviticus 19:2; Numbers 1:2,53; Numbers 8:9,20; Numbers 13:26; Numbers 15:25,26; Numbers 17:6; Numbers 19:9; Numbers 25:6; Numbers 26:2; Numbers 31:12 (all P); ׳יִשׂ ׳דֹּרוֺת ב Judges 3:2; וְכָלהָֿעָם ׳יִשׂ ׳כָּלבֿ Judges 20:26; וּבְּנֵי הַלֵּוִי ׳יִשׂ ׳ב Nehemiah 10:40; also (δ) בְּנֵי יְהוּדָה (literal Genesis 46:12; Genesis 26:19; 1 Chronicles 2:3,10; 1 Chronicles 4:1) Numbers 1:26 18t. Numbers, Joshua, Judges 1:8,9,16 (so read also Judges 1:21; Judges 1:21 compare Joshua 15:53 & see below בנימן) 2 Samuel 1:18; 1 Chronicles 4:27 8t. Chronicles, Jeremiah 7:30 4t. Jeremiah; Hosea 2:2; Joel 4:6; Joel 4:8; Joel 4:19; Obadiah 12 (not in Kings, of Judah or of any other tribe, except בְּנֵי לֵוִי 1 Kings 12:31) including מַטֵּה בְּנֵי יהוּדָה Joshua 15:1,20,21; Joshua 21:1; 1 Chronicles 6:50; for usage with other tribes of Israel, see the articles; — but note (ε) בְּנֵי לֵוִי (literal Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16; Numbers 3:17; 1 Chronicles 5:27; 1 Chronicles 6:1; compare 1 Chronicles 23:6) Exodus 32:28; Numbers 3:15; Numbers 16:7,8; Numbers 18:21; Joshua 21:10 (as including sons of Aaron etc.); כָּלבְּֿנֵי לֵוִי Exodus 32:26; ׳ל ׳כָּלאַֿחֶיךָ ב Numbers 16:10; ׳ל ׳הַכֹּהֲנִים ב Deuteronomy 21:5; Deuteronomy 31:9 compare 1 Kings 12:31 & Malachi 3:8; 1 Chronicles 23:24,27; 1 Chronicles 24:20; Ezra 8:15 (distinguished from priests) Nehemiah 12:23; Ezekiel 40:46 (including בְּנֵי צָדוֺק the priests); also ׳ל ׳מַחֲנוֺת ב 1 Chronicles 9:18; בְּנֵי הַלֵּוִי 1 Chronicles 12:27; Nehemiah 10:40; בְּנֵי הַלְּוִיִם 1 Chronicles 15:15; 1 Chronicles 24:30 (compare also לֵוִי); (ζ) בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן (literal Exodus 28:1,40; 1 Chronicles 5:29; 1 Chronicles 24:1; often Aaron and his sons literal Exodus 27:21; Exodus 28:1,4 +) Leviticus 3:5,8,13; Leviticus 6:7; Leviticus 6:11; Leviticus 7:10; Leviticus 7:83; Joshua 21:10; 1 Chronicles 6:35; 1 Chronicles 6:39; 1 Chronicles 6:42; 1 Chronicles 15:4 (+ Levites) 1 Chronicles 24:1; 1 Chronicles 24:31; Nehemiah 12:47; also הַכֹּהֲנִים ׳בְּנֵי א Leviticus 1:5,8,11; Leviticus 2:2; Leviticus 3:2; Numbers 3:8; Numbers 10:8 & Joshua 21:19; 2Chronicles 31:19; compare 2 Chronicles 26:18; 29:21; 35:14 (twice in verse); בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן Leviticus 1:7; Joshua 21:4 (as subdivision of Levites) Joshua 21:13 compare Leviticus 7:34; אֶתכֹּֿהֲנֵי יהוה אֶתבְּֿנֵי אַהֲרֹן וְהַלְּוִּיִּם2Chronicles 13:9 compare 2 Chronicles 13:10; once in singular הַכֹּהֵן בֶּןאַֿהֲרֹן Nehemiah 10:39; see also below אַהֲרֹן; (η) בְּנֵי צָדוֺק Ezekiel 40:26, 44:15 הכהנים הלוים בני צדוק; Ezekiel 48:11 הכהנים הַמְֿקֻדָּשׁ מנגי צדוק (m5 Sm Co join מ of מבני to preceding word, making plural); (φ) בְּנֵי with names of peoples, lands, and cities, בְּנֵי כֻּשִׁיִּים Amos 9:7; בְּנֵי מִצְרַיִם Ezekiel 16:26; בְּנֵי אַשּׁוּר Ezekiel 16:28; Ezekiel 23:7,9,12,23; אֶדֶץ הַבְּרִית ׳ב Ezekiel 30:5 (Co strike out ארץ); בָּבֶל ׳ב Ezekiel 23:15. Ezekiel 23:17,28; יְרוּשָׁלַם ׳ב Joel 4:6; צִיּוֺן ׳ב Joel 2:23; Lamentations 4:2; Psalm 149:2 (compare Zechariah 9:13). See further (ι) בְּנֵי עַמֶּ֑ךָ Leviticus 19:18; compare Leviticus 20:17; Numbers 22:5; Judges 14:16,17; Ezekiel 3:11; Ezekiel 33:2,12,17,30; Ezekiel 37:18; Daniel 12:1 בְּנֵי מָּרִיצֵי עַמְּךָ Daniel 11:14; (κ) קֶבֶר בְּנֵי הָעָם 2 Kings 23:6; 2Chronicles 35:5,7,12; קִבְרֵי בְּנֵי הָעָם Jeremiah 26:23; (λ) בְּנֵיקֶֿדֶם Genesis 29:1; Judges 7:12; Judges 8:10; 1 Kings 5:10; Job 1:3; Isaiah 11:14; Jeremiah 49:28; Ezekiel 25:4,10; (μ) בְּנֵי הַמְּדִינָה Ezra 2:1 = Nehemiah 7:6; (ν) of bulls, בְּנֵי בָשָׁן Deuteronomy 32:14 (song) compare KloSK 1872. 254 Di.
2 children (male and female) Genesis 3:16; Genesis 21:7; Exodus 21:5; Exodus 22:23; hence בְּנֵי מְנַשֶּׁה הַזְכָּרִים Joshua 17:2 male children, בֵּן זָכָר Jeremiah 20:15.
3 youth, young men (plural) Proverbs 7:7; Songs 2:3.
4 the young of animals Leviticus 22:28 (שׁוֺר אוֺ שֶׂה) compare Deuteronomy 22:6,7; 1 Samuel 6:7,10; Zechariah 9:9; Job 4:11; Job 28:8; Job 39:4,16; — בֶּןבָּֿקָר etc. see below 7b below
5 of plant-shoots בֵּן מֹּרָת Genesis 49:22 (twice in verse); also בֵּן Psalm 80:16 ? ("" כַּנָּה; see Chetransl. & critical note)
6 figurative of lifeless things, בְּנֵי רֶשֶׁף sparks Job 5:7; stars עַיִשׁ עַלבָּֿנֶיהָ Job 38:32; arrows בֶּןקָֿ֑שֶׁת Job 41:2; בְּנֵי אַשְׁמָּתוֺ Lamentations 3:13; compare בֶּןגָּֿרְנִי i.e. corn of my threshing-floor Isaiah 21:10.
7. a. member of a guild, order or class, בְּנֵי הַנְּבִיאִים i.e. those belonging to the prophetic order 1 Kings 20:35; 2 Kings 2:3,5,7,15; 2 Kings 4:1,38 (twice in verse); 2 Kings 5:22; 2 Kings 6:1; 2 Kings 9:1 (Hoffm RSProph, 85, 388, Ki 15 f.; ZehnpfBAS i, 355 compare Assyrian mâr šipri (šiprâtum), son of a messenger = messenger, and explains from the son's succeeding to father's calling) & בֶּןנָֿבִיא Amos 7:14; probably also בְּנֵי הַכֹּהֲנִים 1 Chronicles 9:30; Ezra 2:61; Ezra 10:18; בְּנֵי הַשֹּׁעֲרִים Ezra 2:42; compare בְּנֵי הַגְּדוּד2Chronicles 25:13 men of the troop, see Palmyrene בנישירתא men of the caravan VogNo, 4 and others; also בְּנֵי הַגּוֺלָה = exiles Ezra 4:1; Ezra 6:19,20; Ezra 8:35; Ezra 10:7,16 (see גולה below גלה): further, in בֶּןנֵֿכָר = foreigner (only P, poetry, & late) Genesis 17:12,27; Exodus 12:43; Leviticus 22:25; Ezekiel 44:9 (twice in verse); ׳הַֿנּ׳ב Isaiah 56:3; בְּנֵיִנֵֿכָר 2 Samuel 22:45,46 = Psalm 18:45; Psalm 18:46; Nehemiah 9:2; Isaiah 60:10; Isaiah 61:5; Isaiah 62:8; Ezekiel 44:7; Psalm 144:7; Psalm 144:11, ׳בְּנֵיהַֿנּ Isaiah 56:6; also בְּנֵי הַתּוֺשָׁבִּים הַגָּרִים עִמָּכֶם Leviticus 25:4,5.
b. of animals, בֶּןבָּֿקָר son of (the) herd, i.e. young one of the herd, בָּקָר וּבְנֵי בָקָר 1 Samuel 14:32 compare עֵגֶל בֶּןבָּֿקָר Leviticus 9:2 (P); then, in General, one of the herd: fit for food Genesis 18:7,8 (J), for sacrifice Numbers 15:8,9 (P); ׳בןהַֿב only Leviticus 12:6 (P); especially מַּר בֶּןבָּֿקָר Exodus 29:1; Leviticus 4:3,14; Leviticus 16:3; Leviticus 23:18; Numbers 7:15 16t. Numbers (all P) + 2Chronicles 13:9; Ezekiel 43:19,23,25; Ezekiel 45:18; Ezekiel 46:6; מָּרִים בְּנֵי בָּקָר Numbers 28:11,19,27; Numbers 29:13,17 (P); also בְּנִי אֲתֹנוֺ Genesis 49:11 (poem, J; "" עִירֹה); בְּנֵיצֹֿאן Psalm 114:4; Psalm 114:6; בֶּןרְֿאֵמִים Psalm 29:6; בְָּנֵי הָרַמָּכִים Esther 8:10; בְּנֵי (הַ)יּוֺנָה Leviticus 1:14 7t. Lev + Numbers 6:10 compare בֶּןיֿוֺנָה Leviticus 12:6 (all P); בְּנֵיֿ נָ֑שֶׁר Proverbs 30:17; בְּנֵי עֹרֵב Psalm 147:9.
8 ׳ב as relative noun followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc. especially (α) בֶּןֿ(בני)חַיִל = mighty man 1 Samuel 14:52; 1 Samuel 18:17; 2 Samuel 2:7; 2 Samuel 13:28; 2 Samuel 17:10 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 1:52 7t. Chronicles; ׳אֲנָשִׁים בני ח Judges 18:2; 2 Kings 2:16; אֶלֶף אִישׁ מִבְּנֵי הֶחָ֑יִל Judges 21:10; (β) בְּנֵי עַוְלָה wicked men 2 Samuel 3:34; 2 Samuel 7:10; 1 Chronicles 17:9; Hosea 10:9; ׳בֶּןעֿ Psalm 89:23 (for בני בליעל see בליעל); (γ) בְּנֵי מֶ֑רִי rebels Numbers 17:25 (compare בַּיִת); (δ) בְּנֵי הַתַּעֲרֻבוֺת sons of pledges = hostages 2 Kings 14:14 2Chronicles 25:24; (ε) בְּנֵי מָוֶת i.e. those deserving of death 1 Samuel 26:16; so בֶּןמֿות 2 Samuel 12:5; בְּנֵי תְמוּתָה appointed or exposed to death Psalm 79:11; Psalm 102:21; compare (ζ) בִּן הַכּוֺת one worthy of smiting Deuteronomy 25:2; (η) בְּנֵי עֹ֑נִי Proverbs 31:5; (θ) בְּנֵי חֲלוֺף Proverbs 31:8; (ι) בְּנֵי שָׁאוֺן Jeremiah 48:45 = tumultuous ones; so also (= שֵׁאת) בְּנֵי שֵׁת Numbers 24:17 compare RV Di and others; (κ) כְּנֵי הַיִּצְהָר Zechariah 4:14 i.e. anointed ones; (λ) בֶּןמֶֿשֶׁק Genesis 15:2 son of possession, i.e. heir; (μ) הֵילֵל בֶּןשָֿׁ֑חַר Isaiah 14:12 son of dawn; (ν) of animals בְּנֵיִ שָׁ֑הַץ i.e. proud beasts Job 28:8; Job 41:26; (ξ) of Jonah's gourd בִּןלַֿיְלָה Jonah 4:10 (twice in verse); (ο) of a fertile hill קֶרֶן בֶּןשֶֿׁמֶן Isaiah 5:1.
9 noun relative of age:
a. of men, וַיְהִי נֹחַ בֶּןהֲֿמֵשׁ מֵאוֺת שָׁנָה Genesis 5:32; compare Genesis 7:6 71t. P; Genesis 50:26; Joshua 14:7. Joshua 14:10; Joshua 24:29 (all E); Numbers 32:11 (J), Deuteronomy 31:2; also Judges 2:8; 1 Samuel 4:15; 2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 19:33; 2 Samuel 19:36; 1 Chronicles 2:21; 1 Chronicles 23:3,24,27; 1 Chronicles 27:3; 2Chronicles 24:15; 25:5; 31:16,17; Ezra 3:8; Isaiah 65:20 (twice in verse); Jeremiah 52:1; 41t. Samuel Kings Chronicles, of kings of accession; note especially (included in above) the phrase מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמָ֑עְלָה Exodus 30:14; Exodus 38:26; Numbers 1:3 21t. Numbers 1-3 + Numbers 26:2,4; Numbers 32:11; 1 Chronicles 23:24,27; 2Chronicles 25:5; Ezra 3:8; compare Leviticus 27:7; Numbers 8:24; Numbers 26:62; 1 Chronicles 23:3 & without מעלה Numbers 8:25; Numbers 18:16; also מִבֶּן עשׂרים שׁנה וְעַד בֶּןשִֿׁשִּׁים שָׁנָה Leviticus 27:3 compare Leviticus 27:5; Leviticus 27:6; מִבֶּן שׁלשׁים שׁנה ומעלה ועד בןחֿמשׁים שׁנה Numbers 4:3 (twice in verse) + 12 t. Numbers 4; מבּן שׁלושׁ שׁנים וּלְמַ֫עְלָה2Chronicles 31:16 compare 2 Chronicles 31:17; & לְמִבֶּן עשׂרים שׁנה וּלְמָ֑טָּה 1 Chronicles 27:23.
b. of animals, (Hexateuch all P, including H) בֶּןשָֿׁנָה Exodus 12:5; Exodus 29:38; Leviticus 9:3; Leviticus 23:18,19; Numbers 7:17 28t. Numbers 7, 28, 29; also Micah 6:6; בֶּןשְֿׁנָתוֺ Leviticus 12:6; Leviticus 23:12; Numbers 6:12,14 12t. Numbers 7; also Ezekiel 46:13.Note. — בן appears perhaps abbreviated as בּ in a few compound proper names; see בִּדְקַר (= בֶּןדֿקר?), בִּלְשָׁן, בִּמְהָל, בַּעֲלִיס, בַּעֲנָה, בִּרְשַׁע, בִּשְׁלָם (so MV after Schol. Hamâsa3ed. Freytag; Röde libr, hist, interpr, Arab, 20, 21; but this is very uncertain, compare Ol§ 227 b, p. 613). — On Lag's explanation of אבי in some proper names as for אבן = בן compare LagBN 75 & see אבינר p. 4, etc., but this is dubious
בְּנוֺ 1 Chronicles 24:26,27 as proper name, masculine in AV RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, compare VB & Be Öttli.
[フレーム]
בֵּן occurs roughly 4,932 times in the Old Testament. While the core sense is "son," the term embraces biological, legal, covenantal, royal, communal, and prophetic dimensions, each enriching the unfolding revelation of God’s redemptive program.
Genealogical and Familial Function
From the opening genealogies (Genesis 5) to the closing chronicles (Nehemiah 12), בֵּן structures history by linking generations. Genesis 21:3 records, "Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him". Such notices establish lineage, tribal boundaries, and inheritance rights (Numbers 27:8-11). The paternal formula "X son of Y" anchors identities throughout Scripture, e.g., "Elijah son of Tishbe" (1 Kings 17:1).
Legal and Inheritance Implications
Under Mosaic Law, the firstborn son held prerogatives of succession and a double portion (Deuteronomy 21:17). Failure to produce sons threatened the family line, prompting levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-6). The daughters of Zelophehad received their father’s inheritance only because no sons were present, illustrating the norm (Numbers 27:1-7). Thus, בֵּן undergirds Israel’s jurisprudence, land tenure, and economic stability.
Covenant Identity
Nationally, Israel herself is designated God’s "firstborn son" (Exodus 4:22), revealing a filial covenant relationship that transcends biology. Deuteronomy 14:1 affirms, "You are sons of the LORD your God." The phrase "sons of Israel" (over 600 occurrences) binds twelve tribes into one covenant family, reinforcing solidarity and shared destiny.
Royal and Dynastic Significance
בֵּן is pivotal in the Davidic covenant. In 2 Samuel 7:14 God promises, "I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to Me." Solomon physically fulfills the promise; Messiah ultimately consummates it (Psalm 89:26-37; Isaiah 9:6). Genealogies in 1 Chronicles 3 trace Davidic sons to post-exilic times, sustaining messianic hope.
Corporate and Collective Uses
The term classifies groups by vocation—"sons of the prophets" (2 Kings 2:3), by geography—"sons of the exile" (Ezra 4:1), by character—"sons of Belial" (Judges 19:22), and even by age—"a son of eighty years" (2 Samuel 19:35). Such flexibility allows Scripture to portray affiliation, maturity, and moral quality through familial imagery.
Heavenly and Supernatural Applications
Job 1:6 introduces "the sons of God" presenting themselves before the LORD, indicating celestial beings. Daniel 3:25 describes a fourth figure in the furnace "like a son of the gods," preparing the way for fuller revelation of the divine Son.
Prophetic and Messianic Foreshadowing
Isaiah 9:6 proclaims, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Hosea 11:1 declares, "Out of Egypt I called My son," a passage Matthew applies to Jesus (Matthew 2:15). These texts unveil a singular Son who embodies and surpasses Israel, fulfilling every prior sonship motif.
Idiomatic Extensions
• Sons of light / sons of day (1 Thessalonians 5:5) echo prophetic idioms such as "sons of the Most High" (Psalm 82:6).
• Personal names incorporate בֵּן to express circumstances or faith: Benjamin ("son of the right hand"), Ben-oni ("son of my sorrow"), Benaiah ("Yahweh has built a son").
• "Son of..." constructions denote character: "son of encouragement" (Acts 4:36, Greek parallel).
Ministry and Discipleship Implications
The repeated charge to "teach them to your sons" (Deuteronomy 6:7) establishes generational discipleship as a covenant obligation. Proverbs embodies father-son instruction ("My son, do not despise the discipline of the LORD," Proverbs 3:11-12). Malachi 4:6 anticipates restored familial hearts, a promise echoed in the ministry of John the Baptist (Luke 1:17).
Theological Trajectory into the New Testament
While בֵּן fades with the shift to Greek, its substance culminates in the titles "Son of David," "Son of Abraham," and above all "Son of God" (Matthew 1:1; John 20:31). Believers, united to the Son, receive adoption: "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God" (1 John 3:1). Thus the Old Testament usage of בֵּן forms the necessary backdrop for the gospel’s declaration of sonship by grace.
Conclusion
Across law, history, wisdom, and prophecy, בֵּן weaves a multi-faceted tapestry of descent, privilege, responsibility, and promise. It grounds Israel’s social order, foreshadows the Messiah, and ultimately invites every believer into the household of God.
Genesis 4:17
HEB: הָעִ֔יר כְּשֵׁ֖ם בְּנ֥וֹ חֲנֽוֹךְ׃
NAS: Enoch, after the name of his son.
KJV: after the name of his son, Enoch.
INT: of the city the name of his son Enoch
Genesis 4:25
HEB: אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֔ן וַתִּקְרָ֥א אֶת־
NAS: and she gave birth to a son, and named
KJV: and she bare a son, and called
INT: his wife gave to a son and called his name
Genesis 4:26
HEB: הוּא֙ יֻלַּד־ בֵּ֔ן וַיִּקְרָ֥א אֶת־
NAS: to him also a son was born;
KJV: also there was born a son; and he called
INT: to him was born A son called his name
Genesis 5:4
HEB: שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃
NAS: and he had [other] sons and daughters.
KJV: and he begat sons and daughters:
INT: years the father sons and daughters
Genesis 5:7
HEB: שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃
NAS: and he had [other] sons and daughters.
KJV: years, and begat sons and daughters:
INT: years the father sons and daughters
Genesis 5:10
HEB: שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃
NAS: and he had [other] sons and daughters.
KJV: years, and begat sons and daughters:
INT: years the father sons and daughters
Genesis 5:13
HEB: שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃
NAS: and he had [other] sons and daughters.
KJV: years, and begat sons and daughters:
INT: years the father sons and daughters
Genesis 5:16
HEB: שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃
NAS: and he had [other] sons and daughters.
KJV: years, and begat sons and daughters:
INT: years the father sons and daughters
Genesis 5:19
HEB: שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃
NAS: and he had [other] sons and daughters.
KJV: years, and begat sons and daughters:
INT: years the father sons and daughters
Genesis 5:22
HEB: שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃
NAS: and he had [other] sons and daughters.
KJV: years, and begat sons and daughters:
INT: years the father sons and daughters
Genesis 5:26
HEB: שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃
NAS: and he had [other] sons and daughters.
KJV: years, and begat sons and daughters:
INT: years the father sons and daughters
Genesis 5:28
HEB: שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֖וֹלֶד בֵּֽן׃
NAS: years, and became the father of a son.
KJV: years, and begat a son:
INT: years and became of a son
Genesis 5:30
HEB: שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת׃
NAS: and he had [other] sons and daughters.
KJV: years, and begat sons and daughters:
INT: years the father sons and daughters
Genesis 5:32
HEB: וַֽיְהִי־ נֹ֕חַ בֶּן־ חֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת
NAS: years old, and Noah
KJV: hundred years old: and Noah begat
INT: become Noah old was five hundred
Genesis 6:2
HEB: וַיִּרְא֤וּ בְנֵי־ הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־
NAS: that the sons of God saw
KJV: That the sons of God saw
INT: saw the sons of God the daughters
Genesis 6:4
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָבֹ֜אוּ בְּנֵ֤י הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־
NAS: afterward, when the sons of God came
KJV: that, when the sons of God came in
INT: when came the sons of God to
Genesis 6:10
HEB: נֹ֖חַ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה בָנִ֑ים אֶת־ שֵׁ֖ם
NAS: of three sons: Shem,
KJV: begat three sons, Shem, Ham,
INT: Noah of three sons Shem Ham
Genesis 6:18
HEB: הַתֵּבָ֔ה אַתָּ֕ה וּבָנֶ֛יךָ וְאִשְׁתְּךָ֥ וּנְשֵֽׁי־
NAS: the ark-- you and your sons and your wife,
KJV: thou, and thy sons, and thy wife,
INT: the ark thou and your sons' and your wife wives
Genesis 6:18
HEB: וְאִשְׁתְּךָ֥ וּנְשֵֽׁי־ בָנֶ֖יךָ אִתָּֽךְ׃
NAS: and your wife, and your sons' wives
KJV: and thy wife, and thy sons' wives
INT: and your wife wives and your sons' and of
Genesis 7:6
HEB: וְנֹ֕חַ בֶּן־ שֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת
NAS: years old when the flood
KJV: years old when the flood
INT: now Noah old was six hundred
Genesis 7:7
HEB: וַיָּ֣בֹא נֹ֗חַ וּ֠בָנָיו וְאִשְׁתּ֧וֹ וּנְשֵֽׁי־
NAS: Then Noah and his sons and his wife
KJV: went in, and his sons, and his wife,
INT: entered Noah and his sons and his wife wives
Genesis 7:7
HEB: וְאִשְׁתּ֧וֹ וּנְשֵֽׁי־ בָנָ֛יו אִתּ֖וֹ אֶל־
NAS: and his wife and his sons' wives
KJV: and his wife, and his sons' wives
INT: and his wife wives and his sons' for about
Genesis 7:13
HEB: וְחָ֥ם וָיֶ֖פֶת בְּנֵי־ נֹ֑חַ וְאֵ֣שֶׁת
NAS: and Japheth, the sons of Noah,
KJV: and Japheth, the sons of Noah,
INT: and Ham and Japheth the sons of Noah wife
Genesis 7:13
HEB: וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת נְשֵֽׁי־ בָנָ֛יו אִתָּ֖ם אֶל־
NAS: wives of his sons with them, entered
KJV: wives of his sons with them, into the ark;
INT: and the three wives of his sons for about
4932 Occurrences
Strong's Hebrew 1121
4932 Occurrences
bab·bā·nîm — 1 Occ.
bā·nay — 11 Occ.
bā·nāw — 117 Occ.
bā·na·yiḵ — 13 Occ.
bā·ne·ḵā — 16 Occ.
bā·ne·hā — 10 Occ.
bā·nê·nū — 7 Occ.
bā·nîm — 96 Occ.
baṯ- — 1 Occ.
bên — 1278 Occ.
bə·nāh — 23 Occ.
bə·nêḵ — 9 Occ.
bə·ne·ḵā — 3 Occ.
bə·nê — 1283 Occ.
bə·nê·ḵem — 18 Occ.
bə·nê·hem — 31 Occ.
bə·nê·hen — 1 Occ.
bə·nê·nū — 1 Occ.
bə·nî — 80 Occ.
bə·nōw — 155 Occ.
be·nōš- — 1 Occ.
be·nō·šā- — 2 Occ.
be·nō·ši- — 1 Occ.
bə·nō·ṯê·hem — 1 Occ.
bə·nōw- — 1 Occ.
bə·ḇā·nāw — 1 Occ.
bə·ḇā·ne·ḵā — 1 Occ.
bə·ḇā·nê·nū — 1 Occ.
bə·ḇen- — 6 Occ.
bin- — 31 Occ.
bin·ḵā — 24 Occ.
biḇ·nê — 19 Occ.
biḇ·nōw — 1 Occ.
ḵiḇ·nê — 1 Occ.
hab·bā·nîm — 10 Occ.
hab·bên — 6 Occ.
hal·lə·ḇen — 1 Occ.
hă·ḇā·nîm — 1 Occ.
hă·ḇên — 1 Occ.
kiḇ·nê- — 2 Occ.
kiḇ·nê·hem — 1 Occ.
lə·mib·ben — 2 Occ.
lə·ḇā·nay — 1 Occ.
lə·ḇā·nāw — 9 Occ.
lə·ḇā·ne·ḵā — 4 Occ.
lə·ḇā·nê·nū — 3 Occ.
lə·ḇā·nîm — 1 Occ.
lə·ḇen- — 16 Occ.
lə·ḇin·ḵā — 2 Occ.
liḇ·ne·ḵā — 2 Occ.
liḇ·nê- — 188 Occ.
liḇ·nê·ḵem — 7 Occ.
liḇ·nê·hem — 6 Occ.
liḇ·nê·hen — 1 Occ.
liḇ·nî — 11 Occ.
liḇ·nōw — 4 Occ.
mib·bā·nāw — 7 Occ.
mib·bā·ne·ḵā — 1 Occ.
mib·bā·nîm — 2 Occ.
mib·ben — 48 Occ.
mib·bə·nê — 73 Occ.
mib·bə·nê·ḵem — 1 Occ.
mib·bə·nê·hem — 1 Occ.
šeb·bin- — 1 Occ.
ū·lə·ḇā·nay — 1 Occ.
ū·lə·ḇā·nāw — 21 Occ.
ū·lə·ḇā·ne·ḵā — 10 Occ.
ū·lə·ḇā·nê·nū — 2 Occ.
ū·lə·ḇen- — 2 Occ.
ū·lə·ḇin·ḵā — 1 Occ.
ū·mib·bā·ne·ḵā — 2 Occ.
ū·mib·ben — 2 Occ.
ū·mib·bə·nê — 26 Occ.
ū·ḇā·nay — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇā·nāw — 47 Occ.
ū·ḇā·na·yiḵ — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇā·ne·ḵā — 17 Occ.
ū·ḇā·ne·hā — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇā·nê·nū — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇā·nî — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇā·nîm — 9 Occ.
ū·ḇen- — 29 Occ.
ū·ḇə·nāy — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇə·nêḵ — 2 Occ.
ū·ḇə·nê — 209 Occ.
ū·ḇə·nê·ḵem — 9 Occ.
ū·ḇə·nê·hem — 16 Occ.
ū·ḇə·nê·hen — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇə·nî — 3 Occ.
ū·ḇə·nōw — 2 Occ.
ū·ḇə·ḇā·ne·ḵā — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇə·ḇā·ne·hā — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇin- — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇin·ḵā- — 7 Occ.
ū·ḇiḇ·nāh — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇiḇ·nê- — 4 Occ.
ḇab·bā·nîm — 1 Occ.
ḇā·nay — 4 Occ.
ḇā·nāw — 36 Occ.
ḇā·na·yiḵ — 4 Occ.
ḇā·ne·ḵā — 13 Occ.
ḇā·ne·hā — 5 Occ.
ḇā·nîm — 50 Occ.
wə·hab·bā·nîm — 3 Occ.
wə·hab·bên — 1 Occ.
wə·liḇ·nêḵ — 1 Occ.
wə·liḇ·nê — 28 Occ.
wə·liḇ·nê·hem — 4 Occ.
wə·liḇ·nî — 1 Occ.
wə·liḇ·nōw — 2 Occ.
ḇen- — 283 Occ.
ḇə·nêḵ — 5 Occ.
ḇə·nê- — 282 Occ.
ḇə·nê·ḵem — 6 Occ.
ḇə·nê·hem — 4 Occ.
ḇə·nî — 22 Occ.
ḇə·nōw — 79 Occ.
ḇe·nōš- — 1 Occ.
ḇin·ḵā — 6 Occ.
ḇiḇ·nê — 1 Occ.