The fundamental verb for construction — building houses, cities, altars, walls, and the temple. It also extends to metaphorical building: God 'builds up' Jerusalem (Ps 147:2), 'builds' a woman from Adam's rib (Gen 2:22), and establishes dynasties. The nouns ben (son) and bat (daughter) are etymologically related, reflecting the ancient understanding that children build up a household.
Building is a primary metaphor for God's creative and redemptive work. He built the first woman (Gen 2:22), builds His people into a nation, and promises to build David a 'house' (dynasty) forever (2 Sam 7:27). Solomon built the Temple, but the prophets insist the LORD is the ultimate builder: 'Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it' (Ps 127:1). After the exile, God promises to build and plant rather than uproot and tear down (Jer 31:28). The connection to ben (son) reveals that in Hebrew thought, children are the ultimate construction project — building a family is building the future. This finds its NT fulfillment in Christ building His ekklesia (Matt 16:18).