Lexical Definition
אוֹן ʼÔwn (one) On N:N--L
or (shortened); אֹן ʼÔn (one); of Egyptian derivation
On.
- § On = "strength or vigour"
- On, a city of Egypt
1) city in lower Egypt, bordering land of Goshen, centre of sun-worship, residence of Potipherah (priest of On and father-in-law of Joseph)
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| אֽוֹן | On | Gen.41.50 |
| אֹ֖ן | On | Gen.41.45 |
| אֹ֑ן | On | Gen.46.20 |
| אָ֛וֶן | On | Ezek.30.17 |
| Ων | On | LXX.Exod.1.11 |
| of On | LXX.Hos.4.15 • LXX.Hos.5.8 • LXX.Hos.10.5 • LXX.Amos.1.5 |
Brown-Driver-Briggs
אוֺן proper name, of a location see אֹן.
אֹן (Gen 41:45; Gen 46:20) אוֺן (Gen 41:50; Ezek 30:17) proper name, of a location On (Egypt An compare EbGS 75 WiedSamm 146; perhaps = Assyrian Unu SteindBAS i.610, contr. DlPa 318) city in lower Egypt, probably on border of land of Goshen, residence of 'Potiphera, priest of On,' father-in-law of Joseph Gen 41:45; Gen 41:50; Gen 46:20 also Ezek 30:17 ( where ᵑ0 אָוֶן); it was celebrated for worship of sun-god Ra, & hence called also sun-city, בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ Jer 43:13, ᵐ5 ἡλίου πόλις; modern Matariye, on east bank of Nile, approximately 7 miles east of north from Cairo & 18 from Memphis; — compare EbGS 75, 507 f. & map Wiedl.c.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Genesis | 41:45 · 41:50 · 46:20 |
| Jeremiah | 43:13 |
| Ezekiel | 30:17 |
Profile
On • An ancient Egyptian city, mentioned in relation to Joseph
On, also known as Heliopolis, was an ancient Egyptian city mentioned in the Bible in connection with Joseph's life and prophetic references to Egypt.
- A location first mentioned at Gen.41.45;
- referred to as On אוֹן, or City/ of Destruction הֶרֶס עִיר, or Heliopolis (KJV= Beth-shemesh, NIV= "temple of the sun") בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ, or Heliopolis (LXX) Ἡλιουπόλεως.
On, also known as Heliopolis (Greek for "City of the Sun"), was an ancient Egyptian city located in the Nile Delta region, near modern-day Cairo. It is mentioned several times in the Bible, particularly in relation to the life of Joseph. Joseph married Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, a priest of On (Gen. 41:45, 50; 46:20). This marriage was arranged by Pharaoh and likely served to integrate Joseph into Egyptian society and religious life.
The city of On was a center of worship for the sun god Ra and was known for its temples and religious institutions. In the prophetic books, On is mentioned in the context of God's judgment against Egypt (Ezek. 30:17). Some translations and ancient versions (such as the Septuagint) also reference On in Isaiah 19:18, where it is called the "City of Destruction" or "City of the Sun," depending on the interpretation of the Hebrew text.
All entries for On or City of Destruction or Heliopolis: אוֹן ☩ הֶרֶס ☩ בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ ☩ Ἡλιουπόλεως