Bible Meaning: Strength, vigor
Strong's Concordance #H203, #H204
On, a Reubenite, was one of several leaders who supported Korah's challenge of Moses' authority over Israel.
The modern name of ancient Egypt's city of On is Heliopolis. The city is the Egyptian hometown of Asenath, the wife given to Joseph by Pharaoh. It is through Asenath that Manasseh and Ephraim are born, the future leading tribes of Israel.
The city of On was also one of the centers of sun worship in Egypt.
On, at just two letters, is one of the shortest names in the entire Bible. Others include Ai (Joshua 7:2), Ar (Numbers 21:15), Ir (1Chronicles 7:12), No (Jeremiah 46:25), So (2Kings 17:4), Ur (Genesis 11:28) and Uz (Genesis 10:23).
Important Verses
Person
Numbers 16:1 - 2
Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men and they rose up before Moses . . .
Location
Genesis 41:45 - 46, 50
And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah: and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt . . .
And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
Genesis 46:19 - 20
The sons of Rachel Jacob's wife; Joseph, and Benjamin. And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.