אֶבֶן
𐤀𐤁𐤍
ʼeben
H68 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A solid piece of mineral matter, 'stone' in a physical or symbolic sense. Commonly refers to naturally occurring stones used in construction, markers, tools, or cultic contexts. In the Hebrew Bible, 'אֶבֶן' functions as a general term for a stone or rock, but also carries extended meanings, including a precious stone, an object for weighing (weight), or a term for a building component. In poetic and metaphorical contexts, can denote firmness, durability, or foundational quality. The word is also used idiomatically (e.g., 'stone of stumbling').
Semantic Range
stone, building stone, precious stone, weight (for balances), boundary marker, pillar, memorial stone, tool (sling stone, plummet), cultic object, metaphor for strength or hardness
Root / Etymology
Root: בנה (b-n-h), core meaning 'to build, construct.' 'אֶבֶן' likely derives from this root, signifying that stones are fundamental materials in construction. However, 'אֶבֶן' evolved semantically to denote any stone, not only those used in building. Some suggest a link with the notion of establishing or making firm, but the noun itself specifically designates a stone rather than the act of building. Alternative etymologies have been suggested (proto-Semitic *ʔabn-), but the tie with בנה remains probable.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In early periods (patriarchal, monarchic), 'אֶבֶן' most often refers to unworked or worked stones used as boundary markers, pillars, altars, or grave markers (e.g., Gen 28:18; Josh 24:26-27). In cultic contexts, 'אֶבֶן' could indicate an altar stone or memorial. As construction technologies developed, the term continued in reference both to rough and dressed stones in architecture (e.g., 1 Kgs 5:31 [Eng. 5:17]). 'אֶבֶן' is also used to refer to precious stones (e.g., in priestly garments, Exod 28), objects for measurement (weights, Lev 19:36), and even metaphorically for insensibility (e.g., a stony heart in Ezek 11:19). English translations usually render 'אֶבֶן' simply as 'stone,' but occasionally as 'weight' or 'precious stone' depending on the context. Later biblical texts and post-biblical Hebrew preserve both literal and figurative uses. Some English Bible translations use specialized terms (carbuncle, plummet) for specific contexts, reflecting attempts to capture technical or specialized senses, though these choices sometimes lack precision with respect to the Hebrew text.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the root of בָּנָה through the meaning to build; a stone; [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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בנה (b-n-h) — to build, construct, establish
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1004 | בַּיִת | in the houses |
| H1005 | בַּיִת | the built-house |
| H1006 | בַּיִת | the house |
| H1007 | בֵּית אָוֶן | house-of |
| H1008 | בֵּית־אֵל | in house of |
Word Forms
41 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H68-14 |
אֶ֥בֶן | even | HNcfsc |
stone | building-stone | 57 |
H68-04 |
אֲבָנִ֔ים | avanim | HNcfpa |
stones | stones | 41 |
H68-06 |
אַבְנֵי | aveney | HNcfpc |
stones | building-stones of | 29 |
H68-15 |
הָ/אֲבָנִ֔ים | haavanim | HTd/Ncfpa |
the stones | the building-stones | 20 |
H68-16 |
הָ/אֶ֨בֶן֙ | haeven | HTd/Ncfsa |
the stone | the building-stone | 20 |
H68-38 |
וְ/אֶ֥בֶן | veeven | HC/Ncfsc |
and stone | and building-stone of | 13 |
H68-09 |
בָּ/אֲבָנִ֑ים | baavanim | HRd/Ncfpa |
with stones | in the building-stones | 11 |
H68-37 |
וְ/אַבְנֵ֖י | veaveney | HC/Ncfpc |
and stones | and building-stones of | 10 |
H68-05 |
אָ֑בֶן | aven | HNcfsa |
stone | stone | 8 |
H68-35 |
בָ/אָֽבֶן | vaaven | HRd/Ncfsa |
and stone | building stone | 6 |
Occurrences in Scripture
273 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H68-38 |
Genesis 2:12 | וְ/אֶ֥בֶן | veeven | HC/Ncfsc |
and stone | and building-stone of |
H68-23 |
Genesis 11:3 | לְ/אָ֔בֶן | leaven | HR/Ncfsa |
instead of stone | building-stone |
H68-26 |
Genesis 28:11 | מֵ/אַבְנֵ֣י | meaveney | HR/Ncfpc |
one of the stones | from building-stones of |
H68-16 |
Genesis 28:18 | הָ/אֶ֨בֶן֙ | haeven | HTd/Ncfsa |
the stone | the building-stone |
H68-40 |
Genesis 28:22 | וְ/הָ/אֶ֣בֶן | vehaeven | HC/Td/Ncfsa |
and this stone | and the stone |
H68-40 |
Genesis 29:2 | וְ/הָ/אֶ֥בֶן | vehaeven | HC/Td/Ncfsa |
and the stone | and the stone |
H68-16 |
Genesis 29:3 | הָ/אֶ֨בֶן֙ | haeven | HTd/Ncfsa |
the stone | the building-stone |
H68-16 |
Genesis 29:3 | הָ/אֶ֛בֶן | haeven-2 | HTd/Ncfsa |
the stone | the building-stone |
H68-16 |
Genesis 29:8 | הָ/אֶ֔בֶן | haeven | HTd/Ncfsa |
the stone | the building-stone |
H68-16 |
Genesis 29:10 | הָ/אֶ֨בֶן֙ | haeven | HTd/Ncfsa |
the stone | the building-stone |