ESTUDIO DE LA PALABRA HEBREA
Ben (H1121) — Son in the Hebrew Bible
Ben (בֵּן, H1121) is the foundational Hebrew noun for 'son,' ranging from direct male offspring to descendants and members of a group.
Significado de la palabra
Ben (בֵּן) names a male offspring in relation to his parents, especially his father. The form is central to genealogies, where each generation is described as begetting 'sons and daughters' (Genesis 5:4–26).
Beyond a single child, ben marks descendants across generations and members of a people group. The KJV usage list shows it covering grandson, nation, subject, and even young animals like 'colt' or 'bullock,' since the relationship is one of belonging and likeness to a parent line.
Used figuratively, ben can label a person's quality or condition (e.g., 'son of strength'), and in covenant theology identifies Israel as God's 'son,' shaping how Scripture speaks of belonging, inheritance, and identity.
Uso en las Escrituras
In Genesis, ben structures the primeval genealogies: Seth 'called his name Enosh' (Genesis 4:26) after begetting a ben, and the refrain 'begat sons and daughters' frames the antediluvian line. Cain builds a city and names it after 'his son, Enoch' (Genesis 4:17), showing how ben carries family name and memory forward.
The noun also frames consequences: after the fall, women bring forth 'children' (בנים) in pain (Genesis 3:16), anchoring ben in covenant outcomes like inheritance and line. Eve names Seth as 'another seed,' illustrating ben as the vehicle of promise through the generations.
La palabra en detalle
- H1121 Ben (בֵּן) is a masculine singular noun meaning 'son,' used for direct offspring, descendants, and members of a group. Its plural form is בָּנִים (bānîm).
Versículos de ejemplo
- Genesis 4:17 Cain names a city after 'his son, Enoch,' showing ben as the bearer of family name across generations.
- Genesis 4:25 Eve names Seth as 'another seed,' using ben to mark the continuation of the promised line after Abel's death.
- Genesis 4:26 Seth begets a ben, Enosh, after whom men began calling on the name of Jehovah, linking 'son' to public worship.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the basic meaning of ben (H1121)?
Ben means 'son' in Hebrew — a male child in relation to his parents, and by extension a descendant or member of a group.
Is ben only used for a single child?
No. It covers descendants across generations, members of a nation, and even young animals whose identity comes from a parent line.
How is ben used in Genesis genealogies?
The repeated refrain 'begat sons and daughters' (בָּנִים) frames each generation, with ben marking the next link that carries the family name forward.