Hebrew Headstone Abbreviations and Their Meanings
What the Hebrew letters on Jewish headstones mean — פ״נ, תנצב״ה, ז״ל, ע״ה — plus Hebrew names, Hebrew dates and the Kohen and Levite symbols.
Jewish headstones often begin and end with Hebrew abbreviations. Knowing them helps families plan an inscription and helps genealogists read older stones.
Common abbreviations
| Hebrew | Meaning |
|---|---|
| פ״נ | Here lies (po nikbar / po nitmenet) |
| תנצב״ה | May his/her soul be bound in the bond of life |
| ז״ל | Of blessed memory |
| ע״ה | Peace be upon him/her |
| ר׳ | Reb — a title of respect |
פ״נ usually opens the inscription and תנצב״ה usually closes it.
Hebrew names
The Hebrew name is followed by ben (son of) or bat (daughter of) and the father's — and sometimes mother's — Hebrew name.
Hebrew dates
The date of death is often given in the Hebrew calendar, sometimes alongside the civil date. Your rabbi can confirm the correct Hebrew date.
Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hands in priestly blessing | A Kohen (priestly descent) |
| Pitcher | A Levite |
| Star of David | Jewish identity |
| Menorah | Faith and light |
| Candlesticks | Often on women's stones, recalling Sabbath candles |
Accuracy
Hebrew must be checked letter by letter by someone fluent or by your rabbi before engraving. See Jewish unveiling tradition.
Laying out Hebrew and English together
Most Jewish headstones in North America are bilingual. A typical order, top to bottom:
- פ"נ (here lies) or פ"ט (here is buried).
- The Hebrew name with the father's (and often mother's) name — "son of" (בן) or "daughter of" (בת).
- The English name and civil dates.
- The Hebrew date of death.
- תנצב"ה at the bottom.
Hebrew reads right to left, so a fluent reader must check the proof for letter order and vowel marks. See Jewish headstone symbols.
Key Takeaways
- פ״נ opens and תנצב״ה closes many inscriptions.
- Hebrew names include the parent's name.
- Have Hebrew checked by a rabbi or fluent reader.
Next Step
Send rabbi-approved Hebrew with your quote request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does פ״נ mean on a Jewish headstone?
"Here lies" — it usually opens the inscription.
What does תנצב״ה mean?
"May his/her soul be bound in the bond of life" — it usually closes the inscription.
What do hands on a Jewish headstone mean?
Hands in the priestly blessing indicate the person was a Kohen, of priestly descent.
Why does a Jewish headstone include the father's name?
Hebrew names are traditionally given as "son of" or "daughter of" the father (and often the mother), which identifies the person within the family.
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Related guides
Headstone Abbreviations and Their Meanings (RIP, IHS, DOB and More)
Star of David on a Headstone
Polish Headstone Inscriptions
Priestly Hands and the Levite Pitcher on Jewish Headstones
Jewish Headstone Unveiling
