(Aramaic) corresponding to בֵּן; {a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense}; child, son, young.
Transliteration:bên
Pronunciation:bane
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term בֵּן (bên), Strong's `{{H1123}}`, directly corresponds to the Hebrew בֵּן (bēn, `{{H1121}}`), carrying the fundamental meaning of "son" or "child." Its etymological root is often associated with the concept of "building," suggesting the son's vital role in constructing and perpetuating the family name and lineage. This foundational understanding extends to encompass a wider semantic range, including "offspring," "descendant," and even "young" when referring to animals or younger individuals within a group. The term can also denote membership in a collective, such as "sons of Israel" or "sons of the prophets," signifying a shared identity, characteristic, or association rather than strictly biological progeny.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic word, בֵּן (bên, `{{H1123}}`) is primarily found in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, specifically within the books of Ezra and Daniel. Its usage in these texts consistently reflects its core meaning and broader semantic range.
In Daniel, the term is famously employed in the pivotal phrase "one like a son of man" (כְּבַר אֱנָשׁ) in [[Daniel 7:13]]. Here, "son of man" signifies a human-like figure, yet one endowed with divine authority and coming with the clouds of heaven. This usage underscores humanity while simultaneously pointing to a unique, transcendent identity.
In Ezra, בֵּן (bên, `{{H1123}}`) frequently appears in genealogies and lists, identifying individuals as the "son of" a particular ancestor, as seen in passages detailing the return from exile, e.g., [[Ezra 5:1]] and [[Ezra 6:14]]. This highlights the importance of lineage and identity within the post-exilic community.
Beyond these specific contexts, the word can also denote "children" generally or "young ones," reinforcing its versatility in describing familial and generational relationships within the Aramaic biblical narrative.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is its Hebrew counterpart, בֵּן (bēn, `{{H1121}}`), with which בֵּן (bên, `{{H1123}}`) shares an identical meaning and etymological background. This strong correspondence underscores the linguistic continuity between Hebrew and Aramaic in the biblical text.
Other related terms include:
* אָב (ʾāv, `{{H0001}}`), "father," representing the paternal side of the parent-child relationship.
* אֵם (ʾēm, `{{H0517}}`), "mother," the maternal counterpart.
* בַּת (baṯ, `{{H1323}}`), "daughter," the female equivalent of "son," completing the immediate family unit.
* זֶרַע (zeraʿ, `{{H2233}}`), "seed" or "offspring," a broader term for descendants.
* מִשְׁפָּחָה (mišpāḥāh, `{{H4940}}`), "family" or "clan," representing the larger social unit built by sons and daughters.
The concept of "sonship" is inextricably linked to themes of inheritance, covenant, lineage, and continuity, which are pervasive throughout the biblical narrative, from the patriarchal promises to the Davidic covenant.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of בֵּן (bên, `{{H1123}}`) largely mirrors that of its Hebrew cognate, centering on the profound biblical understanding of sonship.
1. **Continuity and Covenant:** Sons were essential for carrying on the family name, inheriting property, and ensuring the continuity of the lineage. This concept is vital to God's covenant promises, particularly the Abrahamic covenant, which guaranteed countless "seed" or descendants, and the Davidic covenant, which promised an eternal "son" to sit on the throne.
2. **Identity and Belonging:** To be a "son of" someone or something signified deep identity and belonging. For instance, "sons of Israel" denoted membership in God's chosen people.
3. **Divine Sonship:** Most profoundly, the usage in [[Daniel 7:13]], "one like a son of man," foreshadows the New Testament's identification of Jesus as the Son of Man, a title emphasizing both His full humanity and His unique, eschatological authority and divine nature. This title links humanity's destiny with the sovereign plan of God.
4. **Adoption and Relationship:** While בֵּן (bên, `{{H1123}}`) itself does not directly speak to spiritual adoption, the broader biblical concept of "sonship" culminates in the New Testament's teaching that believers become "sons of God" (e.g., Galatians 4:5-7), not by natural birth but by grace through faith, inheriting the promises of God.
### Summary
The Aramaic word בֵּן (bên, `{{H1123}}`) functions primarily as "son" or "child" within the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament (Ezra and Daniel). Rooted in the concept of "building the family name," its semantic range extends to "offspring," "descendant," and members of a group. Its occurrences in Ezra underscore the importance of lineage and identity for the returning exiles, while its use in Daniel 7:13 as "son of man" carries immense theological weight, pointing to a divinely appointed, human-like figure with ultimate authority. Through its connection to the Hebrew בֵּן (bēn, `{{H1121}}`) and related terms, בֵּן (bên, `{{H1123}}`) contributes to the overarching biblical themes of covenant continuity, familial identity, and ultimately, the profound theological concept of divine sonship and humanity's relationship with God.
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