אוֹן (on)
on
strength
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun on refers to vitality, specifically the energy that fuels life and action. It describes the vigor of living beings, ranging from human strength to the raw power attributed to Behemoth in Job 40:15. This word captures the dynamic force behind physical capability rather than static size or mass.
Its meaning extends beyond mere muscle into generative power and the resulting prosperity. In contexts like Psalm 84:7, it connects this inner strength to progress and journeying forward. The term also appears in Isaiah 10:3 to denote wealth or substance, suggesting that such vitality often manifests as tangible resources and stability.
Translators typically render on as "strength," though this English word can feel abstract. The Hebrew concept is more concrete, pointing to the active energy that sustains life and enables action. It appears most frequently in poetic books like Job and Psalms, where it helps describe the fullness of life’s capacity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word on describes the active energy that keeps us moving forward. It is not just about having big muscles, but about the inner vitality that sustains life and enables action. This strength is dynamic, fueling our daily tasks and helping us navigate the journey ahead.
When we feel weak or tired, this concept reminds us that true power comes from a deeper source. Isaiah 40:29 shows how God gives strength to those who have no might of their own. He increases the energy of those who are exhausted, allowing them to continue with renewed purpose.
This vitality is a gift that supports our progress. It connects our inner capacity to our outward actions, helping us face challenges with resilience. We can trust that this sustaining power is available to help us move through each day with hope and steady steps.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- strength<s>2×
- wealth/ his1×
- vigor/ his1×
- trouble/ his1×
- manly vigor<s>1×
- manly vigor/ their1×
- manly vigor/ my1×
- manly vigor/ his1×
- and/ power/ its1×
- [is] power<s>1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ֝/אֹנ֗/וֹ1×
- אוֹנֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- אוֹנָֽ/ם\׃1×
- אוֹנִים֙1×
- אוֹנִ֣ים1×
- אוֹנִ֖ים1×
- אוֹנִ֑/י1×
- אוֹנ֑/וֹ1×
- אֹנ֔/וֹ1×
- אֹנ֑/וֹ1×
- א֝וֹנִ֗ים1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 40:29
He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.
This verse highlights God's role in actively increasing strength for those who are exhausted, showing that vitality is a divine gift rather than just human effort.
-
Genesis 49:3
“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in dignity, and excelling in power.
Here the term refers to Reuben as the beginning of Jacob's strength, linking physical vigor with family lineage and inherited privilege.
-
Job 40:16
Look now, his strength is in his thighs. His force is in the muscles of his belly.
The description of Behemoth's strength in its thighs illustrates raw, tangible power that is deeply rooted in the body's physical structure.