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.
