Light; the sun, (Genesis 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jeremiah 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have "Heliopolis" ("city of the sun") instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The "city of destruction" Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. "of Heres;" Hebrews `Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., "city of the sun") may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the "city of the sun-god" shall become the "city of destruction" of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship of the true God be established.

In ancient times this city was full of obelisks dedicated to the sun. Of these only one now remains standing. "Cleopatra's Needle" was one of those which stood in this city in front of the Temple of Tum, i.e., "the sun." It is now erected on the Thames Embankment, London.

"It was at On that Joseph wooed and won the dark-skinned Asenath, the daughter of the high priest of its great temple." This was a noted university town, and here Moses gained his acquaintance with "all the wisdom of the Egyptians."

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (prep.) The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath

2. (prep.) At, or in contact with, the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, the book lies on the table, which stands on the floor of a house on an island.

3. (prep.) To or against the surface of; -- used to indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of another; as, rain falls on the earth.

4. (prep.) Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence, figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression on the mind.

5. (prep.) At or near; adjacent to; -- indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast.

6. (prep.) In addition to; besides; -- indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought.

7. (prep.) Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a horse.

8. (prep.) At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym).

9. (prep.) At the time of, conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform. Hence, in consequence of, or following; as, on the ratification of the treaty, the armies were disbanded.

10. (prep.) Toward; for; -- indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.

11. (prep.) At the peril of, or for the safety of.

12. (prep.) By virtue of; with the pledge of; -- denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.

13. (prep.) To the account of; -- denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him.

14. (prep.) In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society.

15. (prep.) Of.

16. (prep.) Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey.

17. (prep.) In the service of; connected with; of the number of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee.

18. (prep.) Forward, in progression; onward; -- usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on.

19. (prep.) Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.

20. (prep.) In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on.

21. (prep.) Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, He is neither on nor off, that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute.

22. (prep.) Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use.

23. (prep.) In progress; proceeding; as, a game is on.