אֶבֶן (H68) — Hebrew Lexicon

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.

Translation Consistency

primary "stone" 49 occurrences

'Stone' is the natural, general English equivalent for אֶבֶן across its physical, symbolic, and cultic senses (building stone, boundary marker, memorial/pillar, precious stone, weight, tool, metaphor for hardness). It matches the common Bible-English usage and allows plurality/compounds to be handled by inflection while keeping a single consistent base form.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):

"building-stone of" (1x)

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 recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

בנה (Bayit) — to build, construct, establish

Root בנה to build, construct, establish

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H1004	בַּיִת	in the houses
H1005	בַּיִת	the built-house
H1121	בֵּן	sons
H1122	בֵּן	son
H1123	בֵּן	sons of
H1124	בְּנָא	the ones building
H1129	בָּנָה	he built
H1131	בִּנּוּי	Built-Up One
H1137	בָּנִי	Built-one
H1138	בֻּנִּי	Built One
H1140	בִּנְיָה	and the built-structure
H1141	בְּנָיָה	Yahweh has built
H1146	בִּנְיָן	constructed structure
H1147	בִּנְיָן	the built structure
H1323	בַּת	daughters
H2995	יַבְנְאֵל	and God-Builds
H2996	יַבְנֶה	Yabneh, Building-place
H2997	יִבְנְיָה	Yah Has Built
H2998	יִבְנִיָּה	Yah Builds
H4011	מִבְנֶה	like the built-structure of
H4012	מְבֻנַּי	Built-Up One
H8401	תֶּבֶן	the straw residue
H8403	תַּבְנִית	in building-pattern of

Word Forms

41 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`H68-14`	אֶ֣בֶן	even	`HNcfsa`	stone	building-stone	stone	57
`H68-04`	אֲבָנִ֔ים	avanim	`HNcfpa`	stones	stones	stones	41
`H68-06`	אַבְנֵ֣י	aveney	`HNcfpc`	stones	building-stones of	stones of	29
`H68-15`	הָ/אֲבָנִ֔ים	haavanim	`HTd/Ncfpa`	the stones	the building-stones	the stones	20
`H68-16`	הָ/אֶ֣בֶן	haeven	`HTd/Ncfsa`	the stone	the building-stone	the stone	20
`H68-38`	וְ/אֶ֣בֶן	veeven	`HC/Ncfsa`	and stone	and building-stone of	and stone of	13
`H68-09`	בָּֽ/אֲבָנִ֔ים	baavanim	`HRd/Ncfpa`	with stones	in the building-stones	with stones	11
`H68-37`	וְ/אַבְנֵי	veaveney	`HC/Ncfpc`	and stones	and building-stones of	and stones of	10
`H68-05`	אָֽבֶן	aven	`HNcfsa`	stone	stone	stone	8
`H68-35`	וָ/אָ֑בֶן	vaaven	`HC/Ncfsa`	and stone	building stone	and stone	6
`H68-03`	אֲבָנֶ֛י/הָ	avaneyha	`HNcfpc/Sp3fs`	its stones	her building-stones	her stones	5
`H68-34`	וַ/אֲבָנִים֙	vaavanim	`HC/Ncfpa`	with stones	building-stones	with stones	5
`H68-36`	וָ/אֶ֖בֶן	vaeven	`HC/Ncfsa`	and stone	building-stone	and stone	5
`H68-02`	אֲבָנָי/ו֙	avanayv	`HNcfpc/Sp3ms`	its stones	his building-stones	its stones	3
`H68-11`	בָּ/אֶ֛בֶן	baeven	`HRd/Ncfsa`	against-a-stone	in the building-stone	against a stone	3
`H68-13`	בְּ/אֶ֥בֶן	beeven	`HR/Ncfsc`	with a stone	with a stone	with a stone	3
`H68-17`	כָּ/אֲבָנִ֑ים	kaavanim	`HRd/Ncfpa`	as stones	building-stones	as stones	3
`H68-39`	וְ/הָ/אֲבָנִ֖ים	vehaavanim	`HC/Td/Ncfpa`	and-the-stones	and the building-stones	and the stones	3
`H68-23`	לְ/אָֽבֶן	leaven	`HR/Ncfsa`	instead of stone	building-stone	for stone	2
`H68-24`	לְ/אַבְנֵ֣י	leaveney	`HR/Ncfpc`	of-stones	to building-stones of	to building-stones of	2
`H68-29`	וּ/לְ/אֶ֣בֶן	uleeven	`HC/R/Ncfsa`	and-for-a-stone	and to a building-stone of	and for precious stone	2
`H68-30`	וּ/בָ/אֲבָנִ֖ים	uvaavanim	`HC/Rd/Ncfpa`	and in vessels of stone	and in the building-stones	and in the large stones	2
`H68-40`	וְ/הָ/אֶ֣בֶן	vehaeven	`HC/Td/Ncfsa`	and the stone	and the stone	and the stone	2
`H68-01`	אֲבָנַ֔יִ/ךְ	avanayikhe	`HNcfpc/Sp2fs`	your-stones	your building-stones	your stones	1
`H68-07`	אַבְנֵי/הֶֽם	aveneyhem	`HNcfpc/Sp3mp`	their stones	their building-stones	their building-stones	1
`H68-08`	אַבְנ֜/וֹ	aveno	`HNcfsc/Sp3ms`	his-stone	his building-stone	his building stone	1
`H68-10`	בָּ/אָ֑בֶן	baaven	`HRd/Ncfsa`	with stone	with the building-stone	with stones	1
`H68-12`	בְּ/אַבְנֵ֣י	beaveney	`HR/Ncfpc`	by stones	in building-stones of	by stones of	1
`H68-18`	כָּ/אָ֑בֶן	kaaven	`HRd/Ncfsa`	as a stone	like a building-stone	like a stone	1
`H68-19`	כָּ֭/אֶבֶן	kaeven	`HRd/Ncfsa`	like a stone	like a building-stone	like a stone	1
`H68-20`	כְּ/אַבְנֵי	keaveney	`HR/Ncfpc`	like stones	like building-stones of	like stones of	1
`H68-21`	כְּ/אֶ֣בֶן	keeven	`HR/Ncfsc`	like a stone	like a building-stone	like a building-stone	1
`H68-22`	לָ/אֲבָנִ֥ים	laavanim	`HRd/Ncfpa`	to the stones	to stones	the stones	1
`H68-25`	לְ/אֶ֣בֶן	leeven	`HR/Ncfsc`	to the stone	to a building-stone	to the stone	1
`H68-26`	מֵ/אַבְנֵ֣י	meaveney	`HR/Ncfpc`	one of the stones	from building-stones of	from the stones of	1
`H68-27`	מֵ/אֶ֔בֶן	meeven	`HR/Ncfsa`	the stones	from a stone	from stones	1
`H68-28`	וּ/לְ/אַבְנֵ֖י	uleaveney	`HC/R/Ncfpc`	and for stones	and for stones of	and for stones of	1
`H68-31`	וּ/בָ/אֶ֔בֶן	uvaeven	`HC/Rd/Ncfsa`	and with a stone	and with a building-stone	and with a stone	1
`H68-32`	וּ/בְ/אֶ֥בֶן	uveeven	`HC/R/Ncfsa`	and with stone	and with a building-stone	and with stone	1
`H68-33`	וַ/אֲבָנַ֤יִ/ךְ	vaavanayikhe	`HC/Ncfpc/Sp2fs`	and-your-stones	and your building-stones	and your building-stones	1
`H68-41`	וְ/לָ/אֶ֨בֶן֙	velaeven	`HC/Rd/Ncfsa`	and to a stone	and to a building-stone	and to a stone	1

Occurrences in Scripture

273 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`H68-38`	Genesis 2:12	וְ/אֶ֥בֶן	veeven	`HC/Ncfsc`	and stone	and building-stone of	and stone of
`H68-23`	Genesis 11:3	לְ/אָ֔בֶן	leaven	`HR/Ncfsa`	instead of stone	building-stone	for stone
`H68-26`	Genesis 28:11	מֵ/אַבְנֵ֣י	meaveney	`HR/Ncfpc`	one of the stones	from building-stones of	from the stones of
`H68-16`	Genesis 28:18	הָ/אֶ֨בֶן֙	haeven	`HTd/Ncfsa`	the stone	the building-stone	the stone
`H68-40`	Genesis 28:22	וְ/הָ/אֶ֣בֶן	vehaeven	`HC/Td/Ncfsa`	and this stone	and the stone	and the stone
`H68-40`	Genesis 29:2	וְ/הָ/אֶ֥בֶן	vehaeven	`HC/Td/Ncfsa`	and the stone	and the stone	and the stone
`H68-16`	Genesis 29:3	הָ/אֶ֨בֶן֙	haeven	`HTd/Ncfsa`	the stone	the building-stone	the stone
`H68-16`	Genesis 29:3	הָ/אֶ֛בֶן	haeven-2	`HTd/Ncfsa`	the stone	the building-stone	the stone
`H68-16`	Genesis 29:8	הָ/אֶ֔בֶן	haeven	`HTd/Ncfsa`	the stone	the building-stone	the stone
`H68-16`	Genesis 29:10	הָ/אֶ֨בֶן֙	haeven	`HTd/Ncfsa`	the stone	the building-stone	the stone
`H68-05`	Genesis 31:45	אָ֑בֶן	aven	`HNcfsa`	a stone	stone	stone
`H68-04`	Genesis 31:46	אֲבָנִ֔ים	avanim	`HNcfpa`	stones	stones	stones
`H68-04`	Genesis 31:46	אֲבָנִ֖ים	avanim-2	`HNcfpa`	stones	stones	stones
`H68-05`	Genesis 35:14	אָ֑בֶן	aven	`HNcfsa`	of stone	stone	stone
`H68-14`	Genesis 49:24	אֶ֥בֶן	even	`HNcfsc`	Stone	building-stone	building-stone of
`H68-30`	Exodus 7:19	וּ/בָ/אֲבָנִֽים	uvaavanim	`HC/Rd/Ncfpa`	and in vessels of stone	and in the building-stones	and in the stones
`H68-05`	Exodus 15:5	אָֽבֶן	aven	`HNcfsa`	a stone	stone	stone
`H68-18`	Exodus 15:16	כָּ/אָ֑בֶן	kaaven	`HRd/Ncfsa`	as a stone	like a building-stone	like a stone
`H68-14`	Exodus 17:12	אֶ֛בֶן	even	`HNcfsa`	a stone	building-stone	a stone
`H68-04`	Exodus 20:25	אֲבָנִים֙	avanim	`HNcfpa`	stones	stones	stones
`H68-13`	Exodus 21:18	בְּ/אֶ֖בֶן	beeven	`HR/Ncfsa`	with a stone	with a stone	with a stone
`H68-16`	Exodus 24:12	הָ/אֶ֗בֶן	haeven	`HTd/Ncfsa`	of stone	the building-stone	of stone
`H68-06`	Exodus 25:7	אַבְנֵי	aveney	`HNcfpc`	onyx stones	building-stones of	stones of
`H68-37`	Exodus 25:7	וְ/אַבְנֵ֖י	veaveney	`HC/Ncfpc`	and stones	and building-stones of	and stones of
`H68-06`	Exodus 28:9	אַבְנֵי	aveney	`HNcfpc`	stones	building-stones of	stones of
`H68-16`	Exodus 28:10	הָ/אֶ֣בֶן	haeven	`HTd/Ncfsa`	the stone	the building-stone	the stone
`H68-16`	Exodus 28:10	הָ/אֶ֥בֶן	haeven-2	`HTd/Ncfsa`	the stone	the building-stone	the stone
`H68-14`	Exodus 28:11	אֶבֶן֒	even	`HNcfsa`	in stone	building-stone	stone
`H68-15`	Exodus 28:11	הָ/אֲבָנִ֔ים	haavanim	`HTd/Ncfpa`	stones	the building-stones	the stones
`H68-15`	Exodus 28:12	הָ/אֲבָנִ֗ים	haavanim	`HTd/Ncfpa`	stones	the building-stones	the stones
`H68-06`	Exodus 28:12	אַבְנֵ֥י	aveney	`HNcfpc`	stones	building-stones of	stones of
`H68-14`	Exodus 28:17	אֶ֔בֶן	even	`HNcfsa`	of stone	building-stone	stone
`H68-05`	Exodus 28:17	אָ֑בֶן	aven	`HNcfsa`	of stone	stone	stone
`H68-39`	Exodus 28:21	וְ֠/הָ/אֲבָנִים	vehaavanim	`HC/Td/Ncfpa`	and-the-stones	and the building-stones	and the stones
`H68-14`	Exodus 31:5	אֶ֛בֶן	even	`HNcfsa`	stone	building-stone	stone
`H68-14`	Exodus 31:18	אֶ֔בֶן	even	`HNcfsa`	of stone	building-stone	stone
`H68-04`	Exodus 34:1	אֲבָנִ֖ים	avanim	`HNcfpa`	of stone	stones	stones
`H68-04`	Exodus 34:4	אֲבָנִ֜ים	avanim	`HNcfpa`	of stone	stones	stones
`H68-04`	Exodus 34:4	אֲבָנִֽים	avanim-2	`HNcfpa`	of stone	stones	stones
`H68-37`	Exodus 35:9	וְ/אַ֨בְנֵי	veaveney	`HC/Ncfpc`	and onyx stones	and building-stones of	and stones of
`H68-37`	Exodus 35:9	וְ/אַבְנֵ֖י	veaveney-2	`HC/Ncfpc`	and stones	and building-stones of	and stones of
`H68-06`	Exodus 35:27	אַבְנֵ֣י	aveney	`HNcfpc`	stones	building-stones of	stones of
`H68-06`	Exodus 35:27	אַבְנֵ֣י	aveney-2	`HNcfpc`	stones	building-stones of	stones of
`H68-14`	Exodus 35:33	אֶ֛בֶן	even	`HNcfsa`	stones	building-stone	stone
`H68-06`	Exodus 39:6	אַבְנֵ֣י	aveney	`HNcfpc`	stones	building-stones of	stones of
`H68-06`	Exodus 39:7	אַבְנֵ֥י	aveney	`HNcfpc`	stones	building-stones of	stones of
`H68-05`	Exodus 39:10	אָ֑בֶן	aven	`HNcfsa`	stones	stone	stone
`H68-39`	Exodus 39:14	וְ֠/הָ/אֲבָנִים	vehaavanim	`HC/Td/Ncfpa`	and-the-stones	and the building-stones	and the stones
`H68-15`	Leviticus 14:40	הָ֣/אֲבָנִ֔ים	haavanim	`HTd/Ncfpa`	the stones	the building-stones	the stones
`H68-04`	Leviticus 14:42	אֲבָנִ֣ים	avanim	`HNcfpa`	stones	stones	stones

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