Lexical Summary Shen: Shen Original Word: שֵׁן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shen The same as shen; crag; Shen, a place in Palestine -- Shen. see HEBREW shen NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shanan Definition "tooth," a place near Mizpah NASB Translation Shen (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. שֵׁן proper name, of a location ׳הַשּׁ 1 Samuel 7:12, see יְשָׁנָה. Topical Lexicon Location and Geographic Setting Shen appears in the biblical record as a geographic marker situated in the hill country of central Israel “between Mizpah and Shen” (1 Samuel 7:12). Mizpah lay in Benjamin’s territory overlooking the coastal plain, a strategic high place used for assemblies and watchfulness (Judges 20:1; 1 Samuel 10:17). Shen, likely a rocky outcrop or promontory, stood close enough to form a natural boundary line for the memorial stone Samuel erected. Though its precise site has not been firmly identified by modern archaeology, its pairing with Mizpah places it within the defensive network that shielded Israel from Philistine encroachment coming up from the Shephelah. Biblical Context in 1 Samuel 7 The single mention of Shen occurs in the aftermath of Israel’s repentance and revival under Samuel. For twenty years the ark had rested at Kiriath Jearim (1 Samuel 7:1-2). When the nation gathered at Mizpah for corporate confession, the Philistines attempted to exploit what they presumed was military vulnerability. The Lord, however, “thundered with a mighty voice against the Philistines and threw them into confusion” (1 Samuel 7:10), granting Israel a sweeping victory. To commemorate divine deliverance Samuel set up a stone of remembrance—Ebenezer—“between Mizpah and Shen” (1 Samuel 7:12). Thus Shen became part of the fixed geography of covenant faithfulness, anchoring the memory of God’s saving help in the terrain of Israel’s everyday life. Implications for Israel’s Covenant Memory Memorial stones served as enduring testimonies to God’s acts (Genesis 28:18-22; Joshua 4:5-7; Joshua 24:26-27). By naming the marker Ebenezer (“Stone of Help”), Samuel inscribed the Lord’s intervention into the cultural landscape. Shen, though otherwise obscure, gained significance as one of two points framing this testimony. Every traveler passing between these elevations would encounter a silent witness reminding Israel that national security rested not in fortifications but in steadfast reliance on the Lord who fights for His people (Deuteronomy 20:1-4; Psalm 20:7). Theological Reflections 1. Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: Israel’s repentance preceded the victory (1 Samuel 7:3-6). Shen therefore calls attention to the pattern of restoration—return to the Lord, then deliverance. Ministry and Devotional Applications • Personal Ebenezers: Believers may identify tangible reminders—journals, verses placed in homes, anniversaries of answered prayer—to rehearse God’s faithfulness as Israel did at Shen. Related Biblical Themes and Cross-References • Stones of Witness: Genesis 31:45-49; Joshua 8:30-35; 2 Samuel 18:18. Summary Though mentioned only once, Shen occupies a pivotal role as one of the boundary points for the Ebenezer stone. It anchors a moment when Israel’s renewed allegiance met the Lord’s immediate aid, turning an otherwise anonymous ridge into a perpetual sermon of divine help. For contemporary believers, Shen underscores the call to remember, repent, and rely on the God who remains “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Forms and Transliterations הַשֵּׁ֔ן השן haš·šên hashShen haššênLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 7:12 HEB: הַמִּצְפָּה֙ וּבֵ֣ין הַשֵּׁ֔ן וַיִּקְרָ֥א אֶת־ NAS: Mizpah and Shen, and named KJV: [it] between Mizpeh and Shen, and called INT: Mizpah between and Shen and called the name 1 Occurrence |
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