Etymology and Meaning:
The term "Eben-ezer" is derived from two Hebrew words: "eben," meaning "stone," and "ezer," meaning "help." Thus, Eben-ezer translates to "Stone of Help." This name signifies a memorial stone set up by the prophet Samuel to commemorate the divine assistance provided by God to the Israelites.

Biblical References:
Eben-ezer is mentioned primarily in the context of two significant events in the First Book of Samuel. The first mention occurs in 1 Samuel 4:1, where the Israelites encamp at Eben-ezer to face the Philistines in battle. Unfortunately, this battle results in a devastating defeat for Israel, including the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines.

The second and more notable mention is found in 1 Samuel 7:12. After a period of repentance and spiritual renewal led by Samuel, the Israelites engage the Philistines once more. This time, with God's intervention, they achieve a decisive victory. In gratitude and recognition of divine aid, Samuel sets up a stone between Mizpah and Shen, naming it Eben-ezer. The Berean Standard Bible records this event as follows: "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the LORD has helped us.'"

Historical and Theological Significance:
Eben-ezer serves as a powerful symbol of God's faithfulness and deliverance. The initial defeat at Eben-ezer underscores the consequences of Israel's disobedience and lack of faith. However, the subsequent victory and the erection of the stone highlight the transformative power of repentance and reliance on God.

Theologically, Eben-ezer represents a tangible reminder of God's providence and mercy. It encourages believers to remember past instances of divine intervention and to trust in God's continued presence and assistance. The phrase "Thus far the LORD has helped us" encapsulates a spirit of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty in the lives of His people.

Cultural and Liturgical Impact:
The concept of Eben-ezer has permeated Christian hymnody and liturgy, most notably in the hymn "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," which includes the line, "Here I raise my Ebenezer; hither by Thy help I'm come." This reference serves as a metaphorical reminder for Christians to recognize and celebrate God's guidance and support in their spiritual journey.

Location and Archaeology:
The precise location of the biblical Eben-ezer remains uncertain, though it is traditionally associated with the region near Aphek, in the territory of Benjamin. Archaeological efforts have yet to definitively identify the site, but the narrative context places it within the central hill country of ancient Israel.

In summary, Eben-ezer stands as a testament to the enduring theme of divine assistance and the importance of faithfulness to God. It calls believers to remember and celebrate the ways in which God has acted in history and in their personal lives.Eben-Ezer

the stone of help

Stone of help, the memorial stone set up by Samuel to commemorate the divine assistance to Israel in their great battle against the Philistines, whom they totally routed (1 Samuel 7:7-12) at Aphek, in the neighbourhood of Mizpeh, in Benjamin, near the western entrance of the pass of Beth-horon. On this very battle-field, twenty years before, the Philistines routed the Israelites, "and slew of the army in the field about four thousand men" (4:1, 2; here, and at 5:1, called "Eben-ezer" by anticipation). In this extremity the Israelites fetched the ark out of Shiloh and carried it into their camp. The Philistines a second time immediately attacked them, and smote them with a very great slaughter, "for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. And the ark of God was taken" (1 Samuel 4:10). And now in the same place the Philistines are vanquished, and the memorial stone is erected by Samuel (q.v.). The spot where the stone was erected was somewhere "between Mizpeh and Shen." Some have identified it with the modern Beit Iksa, a conspicuous and prominent position, apparently answering all the necessary conditions; others with Dier Aban, 3 miles east of `Ain Shems. EBEN-EZER

eb-en-e'-zer ('ebhen ha-`ezer, "stone of the help"; Abenezer):

(1) Here Israel was defeated by the Philistines, 4,000 men falling in the battle (1 Samuel 4:1). It appears also to have been the scene of the disaster when the ark of God was captured (1 Samuel 4:3). The place is not identified. It was over against Aphek; but this site is also unknown (compare Joshua 12:18). Eusebius, Onomasticon places it between Jerusalem and Ascalon, in the neighborhood of Beth-shemesh. Conder suggests Deir Aban, fully 2 miles East of `Ain Shems (PEF, III, 24).

(2) A stone set up by Samuel to perpetuate the memory of the signal victory granted to Israel over the Philistines in answer to his prayer (1 Samuel 7:12). It stood between Mizpeh and Shen. The latter is probably identical with `Ain Sinia, North of Bethel. This defines the district in which it may be found; but no identification is yet possible.

W. Ewing

72. Eben Haezer -- "stone of the help," a place of unc. location ...
... Ebenezer. From 'eben and ezer with the article inserted; stone of the help;
Eben-ha-Ezer, a place in Palestine -- Ebenezer. see HEBREW 'eben. see HEBREW ezer. ...
/hebrew/72.htm - 6k

Ebenezer 1Sam 7:12
... THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR. Hymn 42 EBENEZER 1Sam 7:12. John Newton 6,6,8,6. EBENEZER
1Sam 7:12. Let hearts and tongues unite. And loud thanksgivings raise; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 42 ebenezer 1sam 7 12.htm

Ebenezer 1Sam 7:12
... THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR. Hymn 41 EBENEZER 1Sam 7:12. John Newton 8,8,8,8a.
EBENEZER 1 Samuel 7:12. The LORD, our salvation and light,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 41 ebenezer 1sam 7 12.htm

Ebenezer!
... set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto ...
we have rejoiced in this stone which Samuel set up and called Ebenezer? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/ebenezer.htm

Salzburg Lutherans in Georgia.
... of years. The story of their vicissitudes and especially of their colony Ebenezer,
however, has retained a peculiar charm. On Reformation ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/salzburg lutherans in georgia.htm

For the Centenary Jubilee of a Christian Church.
... In one hymn of jubilation,. To our great Redeemer's praise; "Ebenezer!". He hath
led us all our ways. "Ebenezer!" Those before us,. Sang at every onward stage; ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn ccii for the centenary.htm

Letter W
... Walsh, Tracy R. "Received 1830, Located 1837 * Walters, Spencer "Received 1836 *
Ward, Ariel "Received 1827, Located 1836 * Ward, Ebenezer W. "Received ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter w.htm

General Conference of 1824
... Ostrander, Phineas Rice, Marvin Richardson, William Ross, Peter P. Sandford, Arnold
Scholefield, Eben Smith, Henry Stead, John B. Stratten, Ebenezer Washburn. ...
/.../chapter 7 general conference of.htm

Letter L
... Lasley, Matthew N. "Received 1834 * Lasley, Thomas "Received 1804, Located 1838 *
Latham, Harry W. "Received 1834 * Latimer, Ebenezer "Received 1833 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter l.htm

Training of Ministers and Teachers Neglected.
... of the vestrymen and elders of the parish there was scarcely any one who could write
his own name.'" (104.) The Salzburgers had a school in Ebenezer, and later ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/training of ministers and teachers.htm

Repentance and victory
... At the time of the first fight at Eben-ezer, Israel was full of idolatry and immorality. ...
'Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review Confirms His good pleasure to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/repentance and victory.htm

Ebenezer (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EBEN-EZER. ... W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance
Ebenezer (3 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 4:1 The word of Samuel came to all Israel. ...
/e/ebenezer.htm - 9k

Eben-ezer (3 Occurrences)
Eben-ezer. Ebenezer, Eben-ezer. Ebene'zer . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... (ASV BBE
DBY JPS WBS YLT). Ebenezer, Eben-ezer. Ebene'zer . Reference Bible.
/e/eben-ezer.htm - 9k

Ebene'zer (3 Occurrences)
... Eben-ezer, Ebene'zer. Eber . ... Now Israel went out against the Philistines to
battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer; and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. ...
/e/ebene'zer.htm - 7k

Shen (1 Occurrence)
... A tooth, probably some conspicuous tooth-shaped rock or crag (1 Samuel 7:12), a
place between which and Mizpeh Samuel set up his "Ebenezer." In the Hebrew the ...
/s/shen.htm - 7k

Hitherto (34 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 17:16; perhaps 1 Samuel 7:12, `adh hennah, "Hitherto hath Yahweh helped
us" (in connection with the setting up of the stone Ebenezer)) belongs to ...
/h/hitherto.htm - 19k

Stone (290 Occurrences)
... another set of twelve stones (4:1-9); and by Samuel at "Ebenezer" (1 Samuel ... Samuel
17:40); of stones set up as memorials (1 Samuel 7:12, "Eben-ezer," "stone of ...
/s/stone.htm - 54k

Mizpah (42 Occurrences)
... Samuel commemorated this signal victory by erecting a memorial-stone, which he called
"Ebenezer" (qv), saying, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us" (1 Samuel 7:7 ...
/m/mizpah.htm - 31k

Naming (21 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone and put it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah,
naming it Eben-ezer, and saying, Up to now the Lord has been our help. ...
/n/naming.htm - 12k

Jesha'nah (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and
called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Yahweh helped us until now." (See RSV). ...
/j/jesha'nah.htm - 7k

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