Boy Old Testament Rare
Ben
a son
בֵּן ben
Ben (Hebrew: בֵּן, ben) means “a son”, by traditional interpretation. It appears once, at 1 Chronicles 15:18. In 2025 it was given to 292 children in the United States, ranking 843. Around 85,816 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Eliab in 1 Chronicles 15.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Ben
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 1 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
- Hapax
- Yes occurs exactly once
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 292 | Steady |
| All-time total | 85,816 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 1,293 in 1918 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Chronicles 15:18 |
| Cross-references | 18 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Mikneiah co-occurrence Appears with Mikneiah in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Eliphelehu co-occurrence Appears with Eliphelehu in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Unni co-occurrence Appears with Unni in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Maaseiah co-occurrence Appears with Maaseiah in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Jaaziel co-occurrence Appears with Jaaziel in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Jehiel co-occurrence Appears with Jehiel in 1 Chronicles 15.
- Eliab co-occurrence Appears with Eliab in 1 Chronicles 15.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.15.18
§ Ben = "son"
a Levite, one of the porters appointed by David for the ark
Ben, a Levite, was appointed as one of the gatekeepers for the ark during its transfer to Jerusalem.
The biblical story
Ben is briefly mentioned in 1Ch.15.18 as one of the Levites appointed by David to serve as a gatekeeper for the ark of the covenant during its transfer from the house of Obed-edom to Jerusalem. The context of the passage is the detailed account of the Levites' duties and responsibilities in the transportation and care of the ark. Ben is listed among the second-order Levites, along with Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, and Maaseiah, who were to play harps and lyres.
Key verses
Ben appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed–edom, and Jeiel, the porters.
1 Chronicles 15:18
Show all 1 reference
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 15:18