Topical Encyclopedia
Overview:On, also known as Heliopolis in Greek, is an ancient city located in the northeastern region of the Nile Delta in Egypt. It holds significant historical and religious importance in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of Joseph's life and the Egyptian sojourn of the Israelites.
Biblical References:The city of On is mentioned in the Bible primarily in the context of Joseph's rise to power in Egypt. In
Genesis 41:45, Pharaoh gives Joseph Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, as his wife: "Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah, and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt" . This marriage signifies Joseph's integration into Egyptian society and his acceptance by the ruling class.
Historical and Cultural Context:On was a major center of worship for the sun god Ra, one of the most important deities in the Egyptian pantheon. The city's prominence as a religious center is underscored by its association with the priesthood, as seen in the marriage of Joseph to Asenath, whose father was a priest of On. The priests of On were influential figures in Egyptian society, often holding significant political power.
The city's Greek name, Heliopolis, meaning "City of the Sun," reflects its status as a center of solar worship. The temple of Ra in On was one of the largest and most significant religious complexes in ancient Egypt, attracting pilgrims and scholars from across the ancient world.
Significance in the Joseph Narrative:Joseph's connection to On through his marriage to Asenath is a pivotal element in the biblical narrative. It symbolizes his acceptance and assimilation into Egyptian culture, which was crucial for his role as a leader during the years of famine. This alliance through marriage also highlights the intersection of Hebrew and Egyptian cultures during this period.
The mention of On in the Joseph account serves to underscore the historical and cultural setting of the narrative, providing a backdrop that is consistent with the known history of Egypt. It also illustrates the providential hand of God in elevating Joseph to a position of power, enabling him to save his family and many others from famine.
Archaeological Insights:Archaeological excavations in the area of ancient On have revealed remnants of its once-grand temple complex and other structures, providing insight into its historical significance. These findings corroborate the biblical account of On as a major religious and cultural center in ancient Egypt.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, the mention of On in the Bible highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and providence. Joseph's rise to power in a foreign land and his strategic marriage alliance demonstrate how God can use individuals and circumstances to fulfill His purposes, even in the midst of a pagan culture.
Conclusion:The city of On, with its rich historical and religious background, plays a significant role in the biblical narrative of Joseph. Its mention in the Scriptures provides valuable context for understanding the cultural and political dynamics of the time, as well as the overarching themes of divine providence and faithfulness.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Onpain; force; iniquity
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Onthe son of Peleth and one of the chiefs of the tribe of Reuben, who took part with Korah, Dathan and Abiram in their revolt against Moses. (Numbers 16:1) (B.C. 1491.) His name does not again appear in the narrative of the conspiracy, nor is he alluded to when reference is made to the final catastrophe.
ATS Bible Dictionary
OnSeeHELIOPOLIS.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Light; the sun, (
Genesis 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (
Jeremiah 43:13) and Aven (
Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have "Heliopolis" ("city of the sun") instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The "city of destruction" Isaiah speaks of (
19:18, marg. "of Heres;" Hebrews `Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., "city of the sun") may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the "city of the sun-god" shall become the "city of destruction" of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship of the true God be established.
In ancient times this city was full of obelisks dedicated to the sun. Of these only one now remains standing. "Cleopatra's Needle" was one of those which stood in this city in front of the Temple of Tum, i.e., "the sun." It is now erected on the Thames Embankment, London.
"It was at On that Joseph wooed and won the dark-skinned Asenath, the daughter of the high priest of its great temple." This was a noted university town, and here Moses gained his acquaintance with "all the wisdom of the Egyptians."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
prep.) The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath
2. (prep.) At, or in contact with, the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, the book lies on the table, which stands on the floor of a house on an island.
3. (prep.) To or against the surface of; -- used to indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of another; as, rain falls on the earth.
4. (prep.) Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence, figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression on the mind.
5. (prep.) At or near; adjacent to; -- indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast.
6. (prep.) In addition to; besides; -- indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought.
7. (prep.) Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a horse.
8. (prep.) At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym).
9. (prep.) At the time of, conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform. Hence, in consequence of, or following; as, on the ratification of the treaty, the armies were disbanded.
10. (prep.) Toward; for; -- indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.
11. (prep.) At the peril of, or for the safety of.
12. (prep.) By virtue of; with the pledge of; -- denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.
13. (prep.) To the account of; -- denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him.
14. (prep.) In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society.
15. (prep.) Of.
16. (prep.) Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey.
17. (prep.) In the service of; connected with; of the number of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee.
18. (prep.) Forward, in progression; onward; -- usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on.
19. (prep.) Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.
20. (prep.) In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on.
21. (prep.) Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, He is neither on nor off, that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute.
22. (prep.) Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use.
23. (prep.) In progress; proceeding; as, a game is on.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ON (1)on ('on; Egyptian An, Ant, Annu, probably pronounced An only, as this is often all that is written, a "stone" or "stone pillars"): Later called Hellopolis. The name On occurs only inGenesis 41:45, 50;Genesis 46:20. It occurs in one other place in the Septuagint (Exodus 1:11), where On is mentioned with Pithom and Raamses as strong cities which the Israelites built. Hebrew slaves may have worked upon fortifications here, but certainly did not build the city. On is possibly referred to as `ir ha-herec, inIsaiah 19:18 (see IR-HA-HERES). On may also be mentioned by Jeremiah (43:13) under the name Beth-shemesh. Ezekiel speaks of an Aven ('awen) (Ezekiel 30:17), where it is mentioned with Pibeseth (Bubastis). Aven in this passage is almost certainly the same as On inGenesis 41:45;Genesis 46:20, as the letters of both words are the same in the Hebrew. Only the placing of the vowel-points makes any difference. If there is a mistake, it is a mistake of the Massoretes, not of the Hebrew writer.
1. Location and Description:
There were two Ons in Egypt: one in Upper Egypt, An-res (Hermonthis); the other in Lower Egypt, An-Meheet (Brugsch, Geogr. Inschr., 254, 255, numbers 1217, a, b, 1218, 8708, 1225). The latter is the On referred to in the Bible. It lay about 20 miles North of the site of old Memphis, about 10 miles Northeast of the location of modern Cairo. It has left until this time about 4 square miles of ruins within the old walls. Little or nothing remains outside the walls.
On was built at the edge of the desert, which has now retreated some 3 or 4 miles eastward, the result of the rising of the bed of the Nile by sediment from the inundation, and the broadening of the area of infiltration which now carries the water of the Nile that much to the East. The land around On has risen about 10 ft., and the waters of infiltration at the time of lowest Nile are now about 1 1/2 ft. above the floor-level of the temple.
2. History:
The history of On is very obscure, yet its very great importance is in no doubt. No clear description of the ancient city or sanctuary has come down to us, but there are so many incidental references, and so much is implied in ancient records, that it stands out as of the very first importance, both as capital and sanctuary. The city comes from the Ist Dynasty, when it was the seat of government, and indeed must have been founded by the Ist Dynasty or have come down to it from pre-historic time. From the IIIrd to the VIth Dynasty the seat of government was shifted from On to Memphis, and in the XIIth Dynasty to Diospolis. Throughout these changes On retained its religious importance. It had been the great sanctuary in the time of the Pyramid Texts, the oldest religious texts of Egypt, and judging from the evident great development of the temple of On at the time of the writing of the texts, the city must have antedated them by considerable time (Budge, History of Egypt, II, 83, 84, 108; Breasted, Development of Religion and Thought in Egypt, chapters i, ii). The myth of Osiris makes even the charge against Set for the murder of Osiris to have been preferred at Heliopolis (Breasted, op. cit., 34). This certainly implies a very great age for the sanctuary at On. It contained a temple of the sun under the name Ra, the sun, and also Atum, the setting sun, or the sun of the Underworld. There was also a Phoenix Hall and asacred object called a ben, probably a stone, and the origin of the name An, a "stone" or "pillar" (compare Breasted, op. cit., 76, 11, and 71). Though the XIIth Dynasty removed the capital to Diospolis, Usertsen I (Senwesret) of that Dynasty erected a great obelisk at On in front of the entrance to the temple. The situation of this obelisk in the templearea indicates that the great temple was already more than a half-mile in length as early as the XIIth Dynasty. The mate of this obelisk on the opposite side of the entrance seems not to have been erected until the XVIIIth Dynasty. Its foundations were discovered in 1912 by Petrie. Some scraps of the granite of the obelisk bear inscriptions of Thothmes III. A great Hyksos wall, also discovered by Petrie in 1912, exactly similar to that of the fortified camp at Tel el Yehudiyeh, 4 miles North, makes it quite certain that these usurpers between the Old Empire and the New fortified On as the capital once more. The manifest subserviency of the priests of On in the story of Joseph makes it most probable that the old capital at On had already been subjugated in Joseph's time, and that within this old fortification still existing Joseph ruled as prime minister of Egypt. Merenptah in his 5th year began to fortify On. Sheshonk III called himself "divine prince of Annu," and seems to have made On one of the greatest sanctuaries of his long reign. On still figured in Egyptian history in the rebellion against Ashurbanipal. The city has been deserted since the Persian invasion of 525 B.C. Tradition makes the dwelling-place of Joseph and Mary with the child Jesus, while in Egypt, to have been near Heliopolis.
The exploration of On was attempted by Schiaparelli, but was not carried out, and his work has not been published. In 1912 Petrie began a systematic work of excavation which, it is expected, will continue until the whole city has been examined. The only great discovery of the first season was the Hyksos wall of fortification. Its full import can only be determined by the continuance of the exploration.
M. G. Kyle
ON (2)
('on; Aun): A Reubenite, son of Peleth, who took part with Dathan and Abiram in their revolt against Moses (Numbers 16:1).
Greek
5607.on, ousa,on -- be, come, have.on, ousa,
on. 5606, 5607.
on, ousa,
on. 5608 . be, come, have. Transliteration:
on, ousa,
on Phonetic Spelling: (oan) Short Definition: be.
...1936. epithesis -- a layingon, an assault
... a layingon, an assault. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epithesis
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ith'-es-is) Short Definition: layingon Definition: a...
1782. enteuthen -- from here,on each side, thereupon
... from here,on each side, thereupon. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: enteuthen
Phonetic Spelling: (ent-yoo'-then) Short Definition: hence, from this place...
5121. tounantion --on the contrary
...on the contrary. Part of Speech: Adverb, Correlative Transliteration: tounantion
Phonetic Spelling: (too-nan-tee'-on) Short Definition:on the contrary...
1909. epi --on, upon
...on, upon. Part of Speech: Preposition Transliteration: epi Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee') Short Definition:on, to, against,on the basis of, at Definition:on,...
1688. embibazo -- to placeon, to puton board
... to placeon, to puton board. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: embibazo Phonetic
Spelling: (em-bib-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I embark, puton board...
4281. proerchomai -- to go forward, goon
... to go forward, goon. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proerchomai Phonetic
Spelling: (pro-er'-khom-ahee) Short Definition: I go before, precede Definition...
5228. huper -- over, beyond, fig.on behalf of, for the sake of...
...on behalf of, for the sake of, concerning. Part of Speech: Preposition Transliteration:
huper Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-er') Short Definition: in behalf of...
5394. phlogizo from NG5395 -- seton fire.
... 5393, 5394. phlogizo from NG5395. 5395 . seton fire.... Word Origin to seton
fire, burn NASB Word Usage seton fire (1), setson fire (1). seton fire....
1902. ependuomai -- to haveon over
... to haveon over. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ependuomai Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-en-doo'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I puton over Definition: I haveon...
Strong's Hebrew
204.On -- a city in N. Eg.... 203, 204.
On. 205 . a city in N. Eg. Transliteration:
On Phonetic Spelling:
(one) Short Definition:
On. Word Origin of foreign
...203.On -- a chief of the tribe of Reuben.
... 202, 203.On. 204 . a chief of the tribe of Reuben. Transliteration:On
Phonetic Spelling: (one) Short Definition:On. Word Origin...
2296. chagar -- to gird, girdon, gird oneself
... 2295, 2296. chagar. 2297 . to gird, girdon, gird oneself. Transliteration:
chagar Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-gar') Short Definition: girded. Word Origin a prim...
3847. labash -- to puton, wear, clothe, be clothed
... labash or labesh. 3848 . to puton, wear, clothe, be clothed. Transliteration:
labash or labesh Phonetic Spelling: (law-bash') Short Definition: clothed....
2498. chalaph -- to passon or away, pass through
... chalaph. 2499 . to passon or away, pass through. Transliteration: chalaph Phonetic
Spelling: (khaw-laf') Short Definition: changed. Word Origin a prim....
8239. shaphath -- to set (on the fire)
... 8238, 8239. shaphath. 8240 . to set (on the fire). Transliteration: shaphath
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-fath') Short Definition: put.... bring, ordain, seton....
5674. abar -- to pass over, through, or by, passon
... 5673, 5674. abar. 5674a . to pass over, through, or by, passon. Transliteration:
abar Phonetic Spelling: (aw-bar') Short Definition: alienate....
2116. zureh -- troddenon
... zureh. 2117 . troddenon. Transliteration: zureh Phonetic Spelling: (zoo-reh')
Short Definition:on.... troddenon From zuwr; troddenon -- that which is crushed....
1157. baad -- away from, behind, about,on behalf of
... 1156, 1157. baad. 1158 . away from, behind, about,on behalf of. Transliteration:
baad Phonetic Spelling: (beh-ad') Short Definition: through....
7273. ragli --on foot
... 7272, 7273. ragli. 7274 .on foot. Transliteration: ragli Phonetic Spelling:
(rag-lee') Short Definition: foot. Word... 3).on foot man....
Library
Sermonson Several Occasions
Sermonson Several Occasions. <. Sermonson Several Occasions John Wesley.
Table of Contents. Title Page. Title Index. Number Index. Preface....
On the Priesthood
On the Priesthood. <.On the Priesthood St. Chrysostom. Schaff, Philip
(Editor) Table of Contents. Title Page. PREFACE. Prolegomena....
Commentaryon Revelation
Commentaryon Revelation. <. Commentaryon Revelation EW Bullinger. Table
of Contents. Title Page. Introductory. THE FIVE-FOLD DIVISION OF THE BIBLE....
Homilieson Gal, Eph, Phi, Col, Thess, Tim, Titus, and Philemon
Homilieson Gal, Eph, Phi, Col, Thess, Tim, Titus, and Philemon. <. Homilies
on Gal, Eph, Phi, Col, Thess, Tim, Titus, and Philemon St. Chrysostom....
Homilieson the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews
Homilieson the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews. <. Homilies
on the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews St....
Homilieson the Gospel of John
Homilieson the Gospel of John. <. Homilieson the Gospel of John St. Augustine.
Schaff, Philip (Editor) Table of Contents. Title Page. Preface. St....
Homilieson Acts and Romans
Homilieson Acts and Romans. <. Homilieson Acts and Romans Saint Chrysostom.
Schaff, Philip (Editor) Table of Contents. Title Page....
A Treatiseon the Soul
A Treatiseon the Soul. <. A Treatiseon the Soul Tertullian.
Translated by Dr. Holmes Table of Contents. Title Page....
Expositionon the Book of Psalms
Expositionon the Book of Psalms. <. Expositionon the Book of Psalms St.
Augustine. Schaff, Philip (Editor) Table of Contents. Title Page....
Origen's Commentaryon the Gospel of Matthew
Origen's Commentaryon the Gospel of Matthew. <. Origen's Commentaryon
the Gospel of Matthew Origen. Table of Contents. Title Page....
Thesaurus
Be'on (1 Occurrence)Be'
on. Beon, Be'
on. Beor . Multi-Version Concordance Be'
on (1
Occurrence). Numbers 32:3 "Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer
...On (40792 Occurrences)
... 30:17), stoodon the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis,
and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX....
Ma'on (4 Occurrences)
Ma'on. Maon, Ma'on. Maonites . Multi-Version Concordance Ma'on (4 Occurrences).
Joshua 15:55 Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Jutah, (See RSV)....
Lashar'on (1 Occurrence)
Lashar'on. Lasharon, Lashar'on. Lashed . Multi-Version Concordance
Lashar'on (1 Occurrence). Joshua 12:18 The king of...
Beth-me'on (1 Occurrence)
Beth-me'on. Beth-meon, Beth-me'on. Bethmerhak . Multi-Version
Concordance Beth-me'on (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 48:23...
Beth-hor'on (12 Occurrences)
Beth-hor'on. Beth-horon, Beth-hor'on. Bethink . Multi-Version
Concordance Beth-hor'on (12 Occurrences). Joshua 10:10...
Shim'e-on (1 Occurrence)
Shim'e-on. Shimeon, Shim'e-on. Shimhi . Multi-Version Concordance
Shim'e-on (1 Occurrence). Ezra 10:31 And of the sons...
Cause-of-fear-on-every-side (1 Occurrence)
Cause-of-fear-on-every-side. Causeless, Cause-of-fear-on-every-side. Causes .
Multi-Version Concordance Cause-of-fear-on-every-side (1 Occurrence)....
Ba'al-me'on (3 Occurrences)
Ba'al-me'on. Baal-meon, Ba'al-me'on. Baalpeor . Multi-Version
Concordance Ba'al-me'on (3 Occurrences). Numbers 32:38...
He'zi-on (1 Occurrence)
He'zi-on. Hezion, He'zi-on. Hezir . Multi-Version Concordance
He'zi-on (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 15:18 Then Asa took all...
Resources
What does it mean to wait on the Lord? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Sermon on the Plain? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I stay focused on Christ? | GotQuestions.orgOn: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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