Original Word: אוֹן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: own
Pronunciation: ohr
Phonetic Spelling: (one)
KJV: force, goods, might, strength, substance
NASB: strength, might, wealth, maturity, power, strong men, vigor
Word Origin: [probably from the same as H205 (אָוֶן - iniquity) (in the sense of effort, but successful)]

1. ability, power, (figuratively) wealth

force, goods, might, strength, substance

Probably from the same as 'aven (in the sense of effort, but successful); ability, power, (figuratively) wealth -- force, goods, might, strength, substance.

see HEBREW 'aven

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
vigor, wealth
NASB Translation
maturity (1), might (2), power (1), strength (3), strong men (1), vigor (1), vigorous (1), virility (1), wealth (2).

I. אוֺן noun masculine vigour, wealth — absolute Hosea 12:9, suffix אוֺנִי Genesis 49:3 + etc.; plural אוֺנִים Psalm 78:51 +.

1 manly vigour בְּאוֺנוֺ שָׂרָה אֶתאֱֿלֹהִים Hosea 12:4 (of Jacob); רֵאשִׁית אוֺן beginning of manly vigour Genesis 49:3 (of Reuben, first-born of Jacob); Deuteronomy 21:17; Psalm 105:36 (firstborn Egyptians), so Psalm 78:51, רֵאשִׁית אוֺנִים where ׳א is assimilated to מִצְרַיִם, or intensive plural

2 strength of man Job 18:7,12; behemoth Job 40:16; plural intensive מֵרֹב אוֺנִים Isaiah 40:26 because of the abundance of great strength (of God); of man אֵין אוֺנִים Isaiah 40:29 one not having strength; תּוֺחֶלֶת אוֺנִים Proverbs 11:7 hope in strength (not the hope of iniquity RV, or of unjust men AV).

3 wealth Job 20:10; Hosea 12:9 לִי ׳מָצָאתִי א ("" עָשַׁרְתִּי).

Root Concept of On in Scripture

The Hebrew term encapsulated by Strong’s 202 consistently conveys innate vigor, potency, or resources—whether physical, social, or economic. When applied to humanity it marks the pinnacle of capability; when attributed to God it underscores His unfailing might that undergirds creation and redemption. The contextual nuances—firstborn prominence, military or bodily force, prosperity, or moral stamina—unite around a single idea: that all true strength flows from the Lord and is accountable to Him.

Occurrences in the Pentateuch: Firstborn Privilege and Responsibility

Genesis 49:3 introduces the word in Jacob’s blessing: “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength and the firstfruits of my vigor, excelling in dignity and power”. Here On denotes the primal energy invested in a firstborn son who was expected to mirror paternal character and leadership. Deuteronomy 21:17 protects this divinely ordained order by requiring a father to give the firstborn “a double portion of all he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him”. These passages establish strength as both endowment and obligation, foreshadowing the unique Son who would perfectly fulfill His Father’s purpose (John 5:19).

Wisdom Literature: The Frailty of Human Strength

Job employs On to strip the arrogant of self-reliance. Bildad warns that “the vigor of his steps is weakened” (Job 18:7), and that want will “consume the strength” of the godless (Job 18:12). Zophar echoes, “His sons must recompense the poor; his own hands must give back his wealth” (Job 20:10), while the Lord Himself asks Job to consider Behemoth, “What strength it has in its loins, and what power in the muscles of its belly!” (Job 40:16), highlighting the Creator as source of every creaturely ability. The message is unmistakable: human potency, though impressive, is transient unless anchored in reverent fear of God (Proverbs 1:7).

Historical Psalms: Redemptive Transfer of Strength

In recounting the Exodus, Psalm 78:51 and Psalm 105:36 declare that the Lord struck “the firstborn of Egypt, the firstfruits of their vigor.” The same term that once marked covenant privilege now defines Egypt’s loss, portraying salvation as a decisive reallocation of strength from oppressor to God’s covenant people. The narrative anticipates the ultimate substitution where Christ’s life would be given that believers might inherit His resurrection power (Romans 1:4).

Prophetic Assurance: Divine Empowerment for the Weary

Isaiah magnifies On in cosmic and pastoral dimensions. The prophet calls the heavens to witness that not one star is missing “because of His great power and mighty strength” (Isaiah 40:26). Immediately he applies that inexhaustible reservoir to human need: “He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak” (Isaiah 40:29). The text bridges transcendence and immanence, promising that those who wait upon the Lord “will soar on wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31), a reality fulfilled in the Spirit’s enabling presence (Acts 1:8).

Hosea’s Double Portrait: Strength Misused and Redeemed

Hosea 12:3 recalls Jacob who, “in the womb grasped his brother’s heel, and in his strength he struggled with God,” reflecting determined reliance on divine blessing. By contrast Hosea 12:8 exposes Israel’s boast, “In all my labors they will find no iniquity in me that is sin.” Here On is twisted into self-righteous wealth. The prophet therefore calls the nation to return to the God of hosts, the only safe ground for true strength.

Ministry Significance and New Covenant Application

1. Christological Fulfillment: Jesus, the pre-eminent Firstborn (Colossians 1:15-18), embodies the full measure of On, yet yields it in sacrificial obedience (Philippians 2:6-8), offering believers His own resurrection life.
2. Spiritual Empowerment: The New Testament affirms that God’s “power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). The principle of On continues as every gift, ministry, and resource is stewarded for the gospel (1 Peter 4:10-11).
3. Ethical Stewardship: As Israel’s firstborn privilege carried duty, so family heads, church elders, and civic leaders must exercise strength in humble service, mindful that “power belongs to God” (Psalm 62:11).
4. Eschatological Hope: The same strength that upholds the stars assures believers of final preservation and victory (1 Peter 1:5; Revelation 5:12).

Practical Counsel for Believers

• Acknowledge God as the source of every capacity; thanksgiving preserves humility.
• Invest resources—physical health, finances, influence—for kingdom purposes.
• Seek the Lord when vigor wanes; His supply is unending.
• Teach coming generations that true greatness rests in covenant faithfulness, not self-exaltation.

See also: Strength; Firstborn; Wealth; Power; Stewardship; Divine Omnipotence

א֖וֹן א֝וֹנִ֗ים אֹנ֑וֹ אֹנ֔וֹ אוֹנ֑וֹ אוֹנִ֑י אוֹנִ֖ים אוֹנִים֙ אוֹנָֽם׃ אוֹנֽוֹ׃ און אונו אונו׃ אוני אונים אונם׃ אנו וְ֝אֹנ֗וֹ וּבְאוֹנ֖וֹ ואנו ובאונו ’ō·nōw ’ō·w·nām ’ō·w·nî ’ō·w·nîm ’ō·w·nōw ’ō·wn ’ōnōw ’ōwn ’ōwnām ’ōwnî ’ōwnîm ’ōwnōw on oNam oNi oNim oNo ū·ḇə·’ō·w·nōw ūḇə’ōwnōw uveoNo veoNo wə’ōnōw wə·’ō·nōwInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts