Build
Vine's Expository Dictionary of OT Words [1]
A. Verb.
Bânâh ( בָּנָה , Strong'S #1129), “to build, establish, construct, rebuild.” This root appears in all the Semitic languages except Ethiopic and in all periods of Hebrew. In biblical Hebrew, it occurs about 375 times and in biblical Aramaic 23 times.In its basic meaning, bânâh appears in Gen. 8:20, where Noah is said to have “constructed” an ark. In Gen. 4:17, bânâh means not only that Enoch built a city, but that he “founded” or “established” it. This verb can also mean “to manufacture,” as in Ezek. 27:5: “They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees.…” Somewhat in the same sense, we read that God “made” or “fashioned” Eve out of Adam’s rib (Gen. 2:22—the first biblical occurrence). In like manner, Asa began with the cities of Geba and Mizpah and “fortified” them (1 Kings 15:22). In each case, the verb suggests adding to existing material to fashion a new object.
Bânâh can also refer to “rebuilding” something that is destroyed. Joshua cursed anyone who would rise up and rebuild Jericho, the city that God had utterly destroyed (Josh. 6:26).
Metaphorically or figuratively, the verb bânâh is used to mean “building one’s house”—i.e., having children. Sarai said to Abram, “I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her” (Gen. 16:2). It was the duty of the nearest male relative to conceive a child with the wife of a man who had died childless (Deut. 25:9); he thus helped “to build up the house” of his deceased relative. Used figuratively, “to build a house” may also mean “to found a dynasty” (2 Sam. 7:27).
B. Nouns.
Bên ( בֵּן , Strong'S #1121), “son.” Bath —( בַּת , Strong'S #1323), “daughter.” These nouns are derived from the verb banah. They are actually different forms of the same noun, which occurs in nearly every Semitic language (except Ethiopic and Akkadian). Biblical occurrences number over 5,550 in the Hebrew and about 22 in Aramaic.Basically, this noun represents one’s immediate physical male or female offspring. For example, Adam “begat sons and daughters” (Gen. 5:4). The special emphasis here is on the physical tie binding a man to his offspring. The noun can also be used of an animal’s offspring: “Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine …” (Gen. 49:11). Sometimes the word bên , which usually means “son,” can mean “children” (both male and female). God told Eve that “in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children” (Gen. 3:16—the first occurrence of this noun). The words bên and bath can signify “descendants” in general—daughters, sons, granddaughters, and grandsons. Laban complained to Jacob that he had not allowed him “to kiss my sons and my daughters” (Gen. 31:28; cf. v. 43). The phrase, “my son,” may be used by a superior to a subordinate as a term of familiar address. Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel …” (Josh. 7:19). A special use of “my son” is a teacher’s speaking to a disciple, referring to intellectual or spiritual sonship: “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not” (Prov. 1:10). On the lips of the subordinate, “son” signifies conscious submission. Ben-hadad’s servant Hazael took gifts to Elisha, saying, “Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee” (2 Kings 8:9). Bên can also be used in an adoption formula: “Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee” (Ps. 2:7). Bên often is used in this sense of a king’s relationship to God (i.e., he is God’s adopted son). Sometimes the same word expresses Israel’s relationship to God: “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt” (Hos. 11:1).The Bible also refers to the heavenly court as the “sons of God” (Job 1:6). God called the elders of Israel the “sons [KJV, “children”] of the Most High” (Ps. 82:6). In Gen. 6:2, the phrase “sons of God” is variously understood as members of the heavenly court, the spiritual disciples of God (the sons of Seth), and the boastful among mankind.
Bên may signify “young men” in general, regardless of any physical relationship to the speaker: “And [I] beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding” (Prov. 7:7). A city may be termed a “mother” and its inhabitants its “sons”: “For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee” (Ps. 147:13).
Bên is sometimes used to mean a single individual; thus Abraham ran to his flock and picked out a “son of a cow” (Gen. 18:7). The phrase “son of man” is used in this sense— God is asked to save the poor individuals, not the children of the poor (Ps. 72:4).
Bên may also denote a member of a group. An example is a prophet who followed Elijah (1 Kings 20:35; cf. Amos 7:14).
This noun may also indicate someone worthy of a certain fate—e.g., “a stubborn and rebellious son” (Deut. 21:18).
Used figuratively, “son of” can mean “something belonging to”—e.g., “the arrow [literally, “the son of a bow”] cannot make him flee” (Job 41:28).
Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types [2]
Psalm 89:4 (a) Here is revealed the blessings that GOD will yet bring upon Israel in causing the scattered people to grow up again into a strong nation.
Psalm 127:1 (a) This is a plain statement that GOD must work on any church or Christian movement or nation if the desired results are to be obtained.
Proverbs 9:1 (c) Probably this is a type of the Lord Jesus under the name of "Wisdom." He causes individuals to grow up into full maturity as Christians and nations to develop fully as godly nations.
Song of Solomon 4:4 (c) This may represent or describe the firm conviction of the church, her stamina, and her purpose of heart to serve GOD only.
Isaiah 66:1 (a) The thought expressed in regard to this building is found also in Job 22:23, Acts 7:49, Acts 20:32,1Co 3:12 and Colossians 2:7. It is the thought of developing in the life all various departments that make for a full, mature, Christian growth. There must be a good foundation and then a heating plant to keep the soul warm for GOD.
There must be:
- a place for meals, the dining room, for we must feed on the bread of life.
- a music room should be built, so that the heart will keep singing.
- a library, for we are to keep studying, learning and reading.
- a bedroom is necessary so that we may rest, as He invites us to do.
Besides this, there must also be light, water, the bath and the attic for storage.
We should see that all these are developed as we grow in the knowledge of GOD and the service of the King.
Matthew 7:24 (a) We have a picture here of man's faith and works founded only upon the Lord JESUS, the Rock of Ages. In verse Matthew 7:26 the opposite is true.
Matthew 26:61 (b) Here the reference is to the resurrection of the Lord JESUS, wherein His body, so badly disfigured on the Cross, would be restored in three days to full strength and power.
Luke 14:28 (a) GOD expects that each of His children will endeavor to serve Him so that definite accomplishment will be left behind in that Christian life.
Moody built a tower, the Moody church and school.
Livingston built a tower in Africa, the opening up of the dark continent to GOD.
Dr. Bingham built a tower, the Sudan Interior Mission.
Hudson Taylor built a tower, the China Inland Mission.
What tower are you building for GOD?
Romans 15:20 (a) Paul describes his work and ministry as a work of building. Those who heard him speak grew in grace as a building grows under the hand of the workman.
Galatians 2:18 (b) This is a reference to the growth in grace and knowledge, as well as in fellowship and service which these people enjoyed to whom Paul preached. He said that he was not rebuilding the old faith of Israel, but was really building the new faith of the church.
Ephesians 2:22 (a) Here is represented the work of the Spirit of GOD wherein Christ is revealed to the heart, and the individual becomes one of GOD's children, a stone in the building of His mystical church.
Hebrews 3:3 (a) It is evident that CHRIST planned Israel's program and outlined the course they were to pursue in history.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): (v. t.) To raise or place on a foundation; to form, establish, or produce by using appropriate means.
(2): (v. i.) To exercise the art, or practice the business, of building.
(3): (v. i.) To rest or depend, as on a foundation; to ground one's self or one's hopes or opinions upon something deemed reliable; to rely; as, to build on the opinions or advice of others.
(4): (v. t.) To erect or construct, as an edifice or fabric of any kind; to form by uniting materials into a regular structure; to fabricate; to make; to raise.
(5): (v. t.) To increase and strengthen; to increase the power and stability of; to settle, or establish, and preserve; - frequently with up; as, to build up one's constitution.
(6): (n.) Form or mode of construction; general figure; make; as, the build of a ship.
Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary [4]
Beside the proper and literal signification of this word, it is used with reference to children and a numerous posterity. Sarah desires Abraham to take Hagar to wife, that by her she may be builded up, that is, have children to uphold her family, Genesis 16:2 . The midwives who refused obedience to Pharaoh's orders, when he commanded them to put to death all the male children of the Hebrews, were rewarded for it; God built them houses, that is, he gave them a numerous posterity. The Prophet Nathan tells David that God would build his house; that is, give him children and successors, 2 Samuel 7:27 . Moses, speaking of the formation of the first woman, says, God built her with the rib of Adam, Genesis 2:22 .
