בן חורין

Where it comes from

Multiple proposed etymologies.

* According to Jastrow, from בֵּן (ben, “son of”) + חוֹר (khor, “pale, white”). The final ־ין alongside the fact that the word is strictly post-Biblical suggests it developed with heavy Aramaic influence. The usage of חוֹר (“pale”) to mean freeman might derive from the connection of pale (white) clothing and freedom.

* Alternatively from בֵּן (ben, “son of”) + חֹר (khor, “nobleman, freeman?”) (only found in the plural חוֹרִים (khorím)). The final ־ין might be evidence of an Aramaic calque that later replaced the native Hebrew term. If so, cognate with Assyrian Neo-Aramaic ܒܲܪ ܚܹܐܪܵܐ (bar ḥērā, “nobleman”).