What does בֵּן · עַל · אָב mean in the Bible?
)".
Hebrew · H1121, H5921, H1
בָּנִים ... עַל־אָבוֹת
A son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.) · above , over , upon , or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications · father , in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
בֵּןH1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
Pronunciationben
Son extends metaphorically to designate relationship, condition, quality, and national identity across kinship and covenantal contexts.
Open lexicon entry →עַלH5921above , over , upon , or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אָבH1father , in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Pronunciationʾāb
Father as both literal parent and figurative source/founder; extends to ancestor, chief, and originating authority
Open lexicon entry →What does בָּנִים ... עַל־אָבוֹת (banim ... ʿal-avot) mean in the Bible?
בֵּן · עַל · אָב is a Hebrew phrase meaning "a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)".
Full entry for בָּנִים ... עַל־אָבוֹת (H1121, H5921, H1) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H1121, H5921, H1?
H1121, H5921, H1 is connected to 11,936 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
Strong'sH1121, H5921, H1
Lexical occurrences11,936 versesSource Gloss
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Word Origins
בָּנִים ... עַל־אָבוֹת is built from this root: