The Grammatical Role of בֵּן (“Son of”) in Biblical Hebrew Genealogies

In Biblical Hebrew genealogies, the word בֵּן (“son”) serves not only as a biological term but as a grammatical linchpin that structures lineage, identity, and covenantal memory. Derived from the root ב־נ־ה (“to build”), בֵּן appears in construct form (בֶּן־) to link individuals across generations (e.g., “X son of Y”), forming extended chains like בֹּעַז בֶּן־שַׂלְמוֹן בֶּן־נַחְשׁוֹן. It also appears in plural (בָּנִים) and construct plural (בְּנֵי־) forms to denote collective descent or tribal affiliation (e.g., בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל). Beyond literal genealogy, בֵּן functions metaphorically to express moral, ethnic, or theological categories—such as “sons of Belial” or “sons of the living God.” Its construct usage reflects syntactic dependency, while its semantic range encompasses inheritance, identity, and divine-human relationships, making it a foundational term in both grammar and theology.


Framing Lineage: What Does בֵּן Really Do?

In Biblical Hebrew, the word בֵּן (“son”) is central to the construction of genealogies. It functions not only as a biological label but as a syntactic link that binds generations together. This word frequently appears in the construct state (סְמִיכוּת), where it introduces lineage, heritage, and tribal identity. Its grammatical usage reflects both the structure of Hebrew and the worldview of the biblical authors.


Lexical and Morphological Overview

The root of בֵּן is ב־נ־ה, meaning “to build,” reinforcing its semantic link to descent and continuity. The table below summarizes its key forms:

Form State Translation Example
בֵּן Absolute (singular) a son וַיּֽוֹלֶד בֵּן — “And he begot a son”
בֶּן־ Construct (singular) son of… בֶּן־דָּוִד — “Son of Dawid”
בָּנִים Absolute (plural) sons / children וּבָנִים נוֹלְדוּ לוֹ — “And sons were born to him”
בְּנֵי־ Construct (plural) sons of… בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל — “Sons of Yisraʾel”

Syntactic Usage in Genealogical Lists

In genealogies, בֶּן־ marks the beginning of a construct chain:

  • שֵׁת בֶּן־אָדָם — “Seth, son of Adam” (Genesis 5:3)
  • בֶּן־אֱלִיאָב — “Son of Eliʾav” (Numbers 16:1)

This can be extended:

  • בֹּעַז בֶּן־שַׂלְמוֹן בֶּן־נַחְשׁוֹן — “Boʿaz, son of Salmon, son of Naḥshon” (Ruth 4:21–22)

The repetition creates a clear, hierarchical sequence of ancestry.


Implicit Use and Ellipsis

In lists, בֶּן is often implied after an initial mention. For example:

  • בְּנֵי לֵוִי גֵרְשׁוֹן קְהָת וּמְרָרִי — “The sons of Levi: Gershon, Qehath, and Merari” (Genesis 46:11)

Here, בְּנֵי governs all the following names.


Extended Usage: Figurative and Tribal Expressions

בֵּן is used in figurative or categorical senses, not just familial:

Expression Literal Meaning Figurative Meaning
בְּנֵי־עֵשָׂו sons of ʿEsav Edomite nation
בְּנֵי־נְבָלָה sons of foolishness worthless/wicked men
בֶּן־אָדָם son of man human being / prophet
בְּנֵי־אֵל־חָי sons of the living God divine relationship (Hosea)

Grammar with Theological Weight

The grammatical function of בֵּן goes far beyond lineage—it conveys inheritance, tribal identity, theological status, and even eschatological hope. Its syntactic precision mirrors the ordered memory of Israel’s past. Understanding its forms and construct behavior is essential for both grammatical exegesis and theological interpretation.

About Biblical Hebrew

Learn Biblical Hebrew Online. Studying Biblical Hebrew online opens a direct window into the sacred texts of the Hebrew Bible, allowing readers to engage with Scripture in its original linguistic and cultural context. By learning the language in which much of the Tanakh was written, students can move beyond translations and discover the nuanced meanings, poetic structures, and theological depth embedded in the Hebrew text. Online learning provides flexible and accessible avenues to build these skills, whether through self-paced modules, guided instruction, or interactive resources. As one grows in proficiency, the richness of biblical narratives, laws, prayers, and prophetic visions comes to life with renewed clarity, making the study of Biblical Hebrew not only an intellectual pursuit but a deeply rewarding spiritual and cultural journey.
This entry was posted in Grammar, Theology. Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.