אֶבֶן

𐤀𐤁𐤍

ʼeben

H68 noun

SILEX Entry

Root בנה to build, construct, establish

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

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Root Family

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