Lexical Summary On: On Original Word: אוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance On The same as 'own; On, an Israelite -- On. see HEBREW 'own NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as on Definition a chief of the tribe of Reuben. Brown-Driver-Briggs II. אוֺן proper name, masculine (vigour) a chief of tribe of Reuben Numbers 16:1. Topical Lexicon Name and Identity On (אוֹן, Strong’s Hebrew 203) is a personal name meaning “vigor,” “strength,” or “wealth.” Scripture records a single bearer of the name: “On son of Peleth”—a Reubenite who appears momentarily in the narrative of Korah’s rebellion (Numbers 16:1). Biblical Setting (Numbers 16:1) “Now Korah son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, together with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—descendants of Reuben—took men”. The verse locates On at the inciting moment of a rebellion that challenged the divinely appointed leadership of Moses and Aaron during Israel’s wilderness wanderings. Role in Korah’s Rebellion 1. Association with Reuben: As a descendant of Jacob’s firstborn, On’s affiliation reinforces a territorial dissatisfaction. Reubenites camped on the south side of the tabernacle alongside the Kohathites (Numbers 2:10; Numbers 3:29), so proximity may have fostered collaboration with Korah’s discontented Levites. Either way, the silence itself highlights the selective precision of Scripture and underscores divine justice—only those persisting in rebellion fall under the announced doom. Historical and Rabbinic Notes Later Jewish tradition (e.g., Sanhedrin 109b) imagines On’s wife persuading him to step back, thereby saving his life. While extra-biblical, the anecdote illustrates an early recognition that repentance can avert disaster, a theme consistent with passages such as Ezekiel 18:21-23. Theological Themes 1. Authority versus Autonomy: On’s fleeting inclusion in a rebellion against God-appointed leadership warns against self-exaltation that disregards divine order (Romans 13:1-2; Hebrews 13:17). Ministry Applications • Leadership: Churches must guard against factions that undermine God-ordained shepherds, remembering that rebellion, even if briefly entertained, endangers the body. Typological Considerations Korah’s rebellion anticipates later challenges to divine Headship, culminating in those who resist Jesus Christ, the greater High Priest (Hebrews 3:1-6). On’s uncertain outcome highlights the fork in the road every hearer faces: persist with rebels or bow to the One whom the Father has sent (Acts 3:22-23). Key Reference Forms and Transliterations וְא֥וֹן ואון veon wə’ōwn wə·’ō·wnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 16:1 HEB: בְּנֵ֧י אֱלִיאָ֛ב וְא֥וֹן בֶּן־ פֶּ֖לֶת NAS: of Eliab, and On the son KJV: of Eliab, and On, the son INT: the sons of Eliab and On the son of Peleth 1 Occurrence |