Biblical Reference:
Ezel is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the First Book of Samuel. The reference to Ezel is found in 1 Samuel 20:19, where it is described as a location associated with the account of David and Jonathan.

Scriptural Context:
In 1 Samuel 20, David and Jonathan, the son of King Saul, devise a plan to determine Saul's intentions toward David. Jonathan, aware of his father's growing hostility, seeks to protect David, who is his close friend and confidant. The two agree on a signal involving arrows to communicate whether it is safe for David to return to the king's court or if he should flee for his life.

1 Samuel 20:19 states: "On the third day you shall go down quickly and come to the place where you hid on the day of the deed, and remain beside the stone Ezel."

Historical and Geographical Significance:
Ezel is described as a stone or a landmark, which served as a meeting point for David and Jonathan. The exact location of Ezel is not definitively known today, and it is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. However, its mention in this narrative highlights its role as a significant point of reference for the clandestine meeting between the two friends.

Theological Implications:
The account of David and Jonathan at Ezel underscores themes of friendship, loyalty, and divine providence. Jonathan's willingness to aid David, even at the risk of his own standing with his father, King Saul, exemplifies selfless love and covenantal faithfulness. This narrative also illustrates God's protection over David, who is destined to become the king of Israel, despite the threats against his life.

Cultural and Literary Aspects:
The use of a specific location like Ezel in the narrative adds a layer of realism and detail to the account, grounding the events in a tangible setting. The stone Ezel serves as a silent witness to the covenant between David and Jonathan, a testament to their enduring bond and mutual commitment.

Symbolic Interpretation:
In a broader symbolic sense, Ezel can be seen as a representation of refuge and safety. It is a place where David receives crucial information that ultimately preserves his life. The stone, as a symbol, may also reflect the enduring nature of the promises made between David and Jonathan, much like the unchanging nature of a rock.

Conclusion:
While Ezel is a minor geographical reference in the biblical text, its role in the narrative of David and Jonathan is significant. It serves as a backdrop for a pivotal moment in their relationship and in the unfolding account of David's rise to kingship.Ezel

going abroad; walk

Ezel

(departure), The stone, a well-known stone in the neighborhood of Saul's residence, the scene of the parting of David and Jonathan. (1 Samuel 20:19)

A separation, (1 Samuel 20:19), a stone, or heap of stones, in the neighbourhood of Saul's residence, the scene of the parting of David and Jonathan (42). The margin of the Authorized Version reads, "The stone that sheweth the way," in this rendering following the Targum. EZEL

e'-zel (ha-'azel; Septuagint para to ergab ekeino):

As it stands, the narrative in 1 Samuel 20:19 records the tryst of Jonathan with David at the stone Ezel. The name occurs only here. There is general agreement that the text is corrupt, but there is no agreement as to how it should be restored. The Septuagint reads "this mound" (the Revised Version (British and American), margin), or "yonder cairn"; and in 1 Samuel 20:41 instead of "out of a place toward the South" it reads "from beside the mound" or "cairn." Dr. Cheyne suggests "yonder juniper tree" (Encyclopaedia Biblica, under the word).

237. Ezel -- a memorial stone in Palestine
... 236, 237. Ezel. 238 . a memorial stone in Palestine. Transliteration: Ezel
Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-zel) Short Definition: Ezel. ... NASB Word Usage Ezel (1). Ezel ...
/hebrew/237.htm - 6k

1018. Beth Haetsel -- a place in Judah
... Beth Haetsel. 1019 . a place in Judah. Transliteration: Beth Haetsel Phonetic
Spelling: (bayth haw-ay'-tsel) Short Definition: Beth-ezel. ... Beth- ezel. ...
/hebrew/1018.htm - 6k

Friendship; Or, David and Jonathan
... sign agreed on. He sends his bow-bearer back to the city, and David comes
out of his hiding-place in the rock Ezel. 'And as soon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon v friendship or david.htm

Ezel (3 Occurrences)
... the Targum. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EZEL. e'-zel (ha ... the word).
Multi-Version Concordance Ezel (3 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 20 ...
/e/ezel.htm - 8k

Beth-ezel (1 Occurrence)
Beth-ezel. Bethezel, Beth-ezel. Beth-e'zel . Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia BETH-EZEL. beth-e'-zel (beth ha-'etsel; oikos ...
/b/beth-ezel.htm - 7k

Eben-ezel
Eben-ezel. Ebenezel, Eben-ezel. Ebenezer . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
EBEN-EZEL. See EZEL. Ebenezel, Eben-ezel. Ebenezer . Reference Bible.
/e/eben-ezel.htm - 6k

Ebenezel
Ebenezel. Eben-bohan, Ebenezel. Eben-ezel . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
EBEN-EZEL. See EZEL. Eben-bohan, Ebenezel. Eben-ezel . ...
/e/ebenezel.htm - 6k

Beth-e'zel (1 Occurrence)
Beth-e'zel. Beth-ezel, Beth-e'zel. Bethgader . ... Not gone out hath the inhabitant
of Zaanan, The lamentation of Beth-Ezel doth take from you its standing. ...
/b/beth-e'zel.htm - 6k

Bethezel (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BETH-EZEL. beth-e'-zel (beth ha-'etsel;
oikos echomenous autes; literally, "adjoining house"): A ...
/b/bethezel.htm - 7k

Ebenezer (3 Occurrences)

/e/ebenezer.htm - 9k

Yonder (15 Occurrences)
... three days, you shall go down quickly, and come to the place where you did hide
yourself when the business was in hand, and shall remain by the stone Ezel. ...
/y/yonder.htm - 11k

Zaanan (1 Occurrence)
... The inhabitant of Zaanan won't come out. The wailing of Beth Ezel will take from
you his protection. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/z/zaanan.htm - 7k

Za'anan (1 Occurrence)
... The inhabitant of Zaanan won't come out. The wailing of Beth Ezel will take from
you his protection. (See RSV). Zaanan, Za'anan. Zaanannim . Reference Bible
/z/za'anan.htm - 6k

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