On, also known as Heliopolis, was an ancient Egyptian city mentioned in the Bible in connection with Joseph's life and prophetic references to Egypt.
Also known as Heliopolis · Aven · City of Destruction · city of the Sun · temple of the sun · Beth-shemesh · Heliopolis LXX
On, also known as Heliopolis (Greek for "City of the Sun"), was an ancient Egyptian city located in the Nile Delta region, near modern-day Cairo. It is mentioned several times in the Bible, particularly in relation to the life of Joseph. Joseph married Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, a priest of On (Gen. 41:45, 50; 46:20). This marriage was arranged by Pharaoh and likely served to integrate Joseph into Egyptian society and religious life.
The city of On was a center of worship for the sun god Ra and was known for its temples and religious institutions. In the prophetic books, On is mentioned in the context of God's judgment against Egypt (Ezek. 30:17). Some translations and ancient versions (such as the Septuagint) also reference On in Isaiah 19:18, where it is called the "City of Destruction" or "City of the Sun," depending on the interpretation of the Hebrew text.
Approximate location: 30.108, 31.338 · view on a map · on the Bible atlas
ON (strength), a grandson of Reuben who took part with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in their rebellion. Num 16:1. As his name is not subsequently mentioned, it has been conjectured that he repented and withdrew.
ON (sun, light), a celebrated city of Lower Egypt, Gen 41:45, 1 Chr 6:50; called Bethshemesh, or "house of the sun," Jer 43:13, and known to the Greeks as Heliopolis, or "city of the sun." Eze 30:17, margin. Some suppose it to be referred to as the "city of destruction" in Isa 19:18-18. The Arabs call it, Ain Shems, or the "fountain of the sun." On was situated upon the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, about 20 miles northeast of ancient Memphis, and 6 miles north from Cairo. History. - On was one of the oldest cities in the world. Its origin and founder are unknown, but it has an obelisk which has been standing about 4000 years. It has been considered the Rome and the Athens of ancient Egypt, the centre of its religion and learning. In it stood the great temple of Ra, with one exception the most famous ancient shrine in Egypt. Ra, next to Ptah, was the greatest Egyptian deity, bearing seventy-five different forms, and regarded as a king of gods and men, and as the sun who illumines the world with the light of his eyes, and is the awakener of life. Every Pharaoh was also regarded as a human embodiment of Ra, and hence one of his titles was "Lord of Heliopolis." To the chief shrine of the god Ra each king presented special offerings, making it one of the richest temples of ancient times. The immense wealth of this shrine is mentioned in various papyri, particularly the "Harris Papyrus," in London, which gives a list of the gifts of Rameses III. Its companies of priests and attendants are reputed to have numbered over 12,000. The legend of the wonder-bird Phoenix…
ON (sun, light), a celebrated city of Lower Egypt, Gen 41:45, 1 Chr 6:50; called Bethshemesh, or "house of the sun," Jer 43:13, and known to the Greeks as Heliopolis, or "city of the sun." Eze 30:17, margin. Some suppose it to be referred to as the "city of destruction" in Isa 19:18-18. The Arabs call it, Ain Shems, or the "fountain of the sun." On was situated upon the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, about 20 miles northeast of ancient Memphis, and 6 miles north from Cairo. History. - On was one of the oldest cities in the world. Its origin and founder are unknown, but it has an obelisk which has been standing about 4000 years. It has been considered the Rome and the Athens of ancient Egypt, the centre of its religion and learning. In it stood the great temple of Ra, with one exception the most famous ancient shrine in Egypt. Ra, next to Ptah, was the greatest Egyptian deity, bearing seventy-five different forms, and regarded as a king of gods and men, and as the sun who illumines the world with the light of his eyes, and is the awakener of life. Every Pharaoh was also regarded as a human embodiment of Ra, and hence one of his titles was "Lord of Heliopolis." To the chief shrine of the god Ra each king presented special offerings, making it one of the richest temples of ancient times. The immense wealth of this shrine is mentioned in various papyri, particularly the "Harris Papyrus," in London, which gives a list of the gifts of Rameses III. Its companies of priests and attendants are reputed to have numbered over 12,000. The legend of the wonder-bird Phoenix, early used to illustrate the doctrine of the resurrection, arose here; to this city Joseph, delivered from prison, came with royal honors to marry the daughter of Potipherah, ("dedicated to Ra"). Josephus reports…
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
6 verses in 4 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H0204
Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah, and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph took charge of all the land of Egypt.
Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.
Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph in the land of Egypt by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.
In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the LORD of Hosts. One of them will be called the City of the Sun.
He will demolish the sacred pillars of the temple of the sun in the land of Egypt, and he will burn down the temples of the gods of Egypt.’”
The young men of On and Pi-beseth will fall by the sword, and those cities will go into captivity.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.