אוֹן
𐤀𐤅𐤍
ʼôwn
H202 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The capacity or quality of strength or vigor, often denoting physical power, material wealth, or resources. In some contexts, refers to a concrete display of might or efficacy, and, by extension, the possessions or substance that result from one's strength.
Semantic Range
strength, might, physical power, vigor, capability, resources, wealth, possessions, substance, efficacy
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root און (aleph-vav-nun), signifying strength, power, or potency. Related to the root sense 'to be strong, to have vigor.' Although often associated with אָוֶן in dictionaries, which carries the sense of trouble or iniquity, in this form (אוֹן), the meaning is clearly positive and denotes force or material strength.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אוֹן is a rare term in the Hebrew Bible, primarily signifying physical strength or vigor (Genesis 49:3, Deuteronomy 21:17). It can refer more broadly to wealth or possessions as the outgrowth of one's strength (Psalms 78:61). The distinction from אָוֶן ('trouble, wickedness') is significant—אוֹן never carries negative ethical implications. English translations often render אוֹן as 'strength,' 'might,' or 'wealth,' but may at times obscure its underlying sense of vital power or material capacity. In poetic or prophetic contexts, the term may inherit a wider, almost abstract sense of effective power.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from the same as אָוֶן (in the sense of effort, but successful); ability, power, (figuratively) wealth; force, goods, might, strength, substance.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
אוֹן (ʼôwn) — to be strong, to have vigor, to possess power
Word Forms
7 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H202-05 |
אֹנ֔/וֹ | ono | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his strength | his strength | his strength | 4 |
H202-04 |
אוֹנִים֙ | onim | HNcmpa |
might | powers | might | 3 |
H202-01 |
א֖וֹן | on | HNcmsa |
wealth | Strength | wealth | 1 |
H202-02 |
אוֹנָֽ/ם | onam | HNcmsc/Sp3mp |
their strength | their strength | their strength | 1 |
H202-03 |
אוֹנִ֑/י | oni | HNcmsc/Sp1cs |
of my strength | my strength | of my vigor | 1 |
H202-06 |
וּ/בְ/אוֹנ֖/וֹ | uveono | HC/R/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
and-in-his-strength | and in his strength | and in his strength | 1 |
H202-07 |
וְ֝/אֹנ֗/וֹ | veono | HC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
and his force | and his strength | and his force | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
12 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H202-03 |
Genesis 49:3 | אוֹנִ֑/י | oni | HNcmsc/Sp1cs |
of my strength | my strength | of my vigor |
H202-05 |
Deuteronomy 21:17 | אֹנ֔/וֹ | ono | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
of his strength | his strength | his strength |
H202-04 |
Isaiah 40:26 | אוֹנִים֙ | onim | HNcmpa |
of his might | powers | of his might |
H202-04 |
Isaiah 40:29 | אוֹנִ֖ים | onim | HNcmpa |
might | powers | might |
H202-06 |
Hosea 12:4 | וּ/בְ/אוֹנ֖/וֹ | uveono | HC/R/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
and-in-his-strength | and in his strength | and in his strength |
H202-01 |
Hosea 12:9 | א֖וֹן | on | HNcmsa |
wealth | Strength | wealth |
H202-04 |
Psalms 78:51 | א֝וֹנִ֗ים | onim | HNcmpa |
of their strength | powers | their strength |
H202-02 |
Psalms 105:36 | אוֹנָֽ/ם | onam | HNcmsc/Sp3mp |
their strength | their strength | their strength |
H202-05 |
Job 18:7 | אוֹנ֑/וֹ | ono | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his strength | his strength | his strength |
H202-05 |
Job 18:12 | אֹנ֑/וֹ | ono | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his strength | his strength | his strength |
H202-05 |
Job 20:10 | אוֹנֽ/וֹ | ono | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his wealth | his strength | his wealth |
H202-07 |
Job 40:16 | וְ֝/אֹנ֗/וֹ | veono | HC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
and his force | and his strength | and his force |