אֹבֶן

אֹבֶן

a pair of stones (only dual); a potter's wheel or a midwife's stool (consisting alike of two horizontal disks with a sup…

Definition

The Hebrew noun אֹבֶן (ʼôben) appears only in its dual form, meaning 'a pair of stones.' In its two biblical occurrences, it refers to a specific object constructed from two stone disks. In Exodus 1:16, it describes the 'stools' or 'birthstools' used by midwives, likely a two-part seat for women in labor. In Jeremiah 18:3, the same word is used for the potter's 'wheel,' which consisted of two horizontal stone disks turned by the potter's feet. The core meaning is a functional, dual-stone apparatus, with its specific purpose determined by context.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, in two distinct contexts that illustrate its dual-stone construction. In Exodus 1:16, it appears in the narrative of the Hebrew midwives, where Pharaoh commands them to kill male infants 'upon the ʼôben' (the midwife's stool). In Jeremiah 18:3, the prophet is told to go down to the potter's house, where the potter is working 'upon the ʼôben' (the potter's wheel). The usage shows the object's form dictated its function in two very different cultural practices.

Etymology

The word אֹבֶן (ʼôben) is derived from the root אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68), meaning 'stone.' The dual form indicates a pair or a couple of stones. This derivation clearly points to the material composition of the object. The semantic development is straightforward: from the general concept of 'stone' to a specific tool made from two stones.

Semantic Range

This word connects two powerful biblical images: the beginnings of life and the sovereignty of God the Creator. In Exodus, the ʼôben is the site of a struggle for life against a genocidal decree, highlighting God's providence through the midwives' faithfulness. In Jeremiah, the potter's ʼôben becomes the stage for a profound metaphor of God's authority to shape and reshape nations (Jeremiah 18:1-6). Understanding this single word's dual use enriches the contrast between human schemes against life and God's sovereign, formative power. The ʼôben reflects ancient technology and obstetrics. The potter's wheel was a simple, foot-driven device made of two stone wheels connected by an axle. The midwife's stool was likely a similar, stable structure of two stones or bricks, providing support during childbirth. This shared design shows how a simple, effective stone tool was adapted for different vital tasks in daily Israelite life: crafting vessels and bringing forth life. אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — The root word meaning a single 'stone' or 'rock,' from which ʼôben is derived. כִּסֵּא (kissēʼ, H3678) — A more general term for 'seat,' 'throne,' or 'stool,' not specific to a dual-stone construction. גַּלְגַּל (galgal, H1534) — A more common word for 'wheel' (like a chariot wheel), often implying something round or rolling, whereas ʼôben specifies the two-stone apparatus.

Word Details