Definition and Meaning:
The term "Ebenezer" originates from the Hebrew words "Eben ha-Ezer," meaning "stone of help." It is a significant biblical term that symbolizes God's assistance and faithfulness to His people. The name Ebenezer is most notably associated with a memorial stone set up by the prophet Samuel to commemorate a divine victory.

Biblical References:
The primary reference to Ebenezer is found in 1 Samuel 7:12. After a decisive victory over the Philistines, Samuel set up a stone between Mizpah and Shen and named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us" . This act served as a tangible reminder of God's deliverance and faithfulness to Israel.

Historical Context:
The events leading to the erection of the Ebenezer stone occurred during a tumultuous period in Israel's history. The Israelites had suffered a significant defeat at the hands of the Philistines, who captured the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 4). After the Ark was returned and the people repented under Samuel's leadership, God granted them victory over their enemies. The Ebenezer stone marked this turning point and symbolized a renewed commitment to the Lord.

Theological Significance:
Ebenezer serves as a powerful symbol of God's providence and mercy. It reminds believers of the importance of acknowledging God's help in times of trouble and the necessity of repentance and faithfulness. The stone is a testament to the belief that God is an ever-present help in times of need, as echoed in Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble" .

Application for Believers:
For Christians, the concept of Ebenezer can be applied in personal and communal life as a reminder to recognize and commemorate God's past faithfulness. It encourages believers to trust in God's continued guidance and support. Setting up "Ebenezers" in one's life can take the form of journaling answered prayers, celebrating spiritual milestones, or creating physical reminders of God's intervention and blessings.

Cultural Impact:
The term "Ebenezer" has transcended its biblical origins to become a metaphor in Christian hymnody and literature. The hymn "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" by Robert Robinson includes the line, "Here I raise my Ebenezer," illustrating the enduring legacy of this biblical symbol as a representation of divine aid and gratitude.

Conclusion:
The Ebenezer stone stands as a lasting symbol of God's help and faithfulness, encouraging believers to remember and rely on the Lord's provision throughout their spiritual journey.Ebenezer

(stone of help), a stone set up by Samuel after a signal defeat of the Philistines, as a memorial of the "help" received on the occasion from Jehovah. (1 Samuel 7:12) Its position is carefully defined as between Mizpeh and Shen.

Ebenezer

Stone of help, the place where Samuel erected a monument, in grateful remembrance of the divine help, given in answer to prayer, in a great battle with the Philistines. The same place had before witnessed the defeat of Israel and the capture of the ark, 1 Samuel 4:1; 5:1; 7:5-12.

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 ...
... location, also a commemorative stone. Transliteration: Eben Haezer Phonetic Spelling:
(eh'-ben haw-e'-zer) Short Definition: Ebenezer. ... Ebenezer. ...
/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!
... Ebenezer! A Sermon (No.500). Delivered ... dryshod? Surely, brethren, 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

Olney Hymns
... Hymn 39 Man honored above angels. Hymn 40 Saturday evening. THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR.
Hymn 41 EBENEZER 1Sam 7:12. Hymn 42 EBENEZER 1Sam 7:12. II. ORDINANCES. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/

Ebenezer (3 Occurrences)
...Ebenezer (3 Occurrences). ... Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle,
and encamped beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. ...
/e/ebenezer.htm - 9k

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

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

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

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

Warfare (18 Occurrences)
... At the battle of Ebenezer the ark was taken into the fight with disastrous results
to Israel (1 Samuel 4:4). On the other hand at the battle of Michmash, the ...
/w/warfare.htm - 34k

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

Allotment (24 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Joshua 17:1 Now the Philistines had taken the ark of God,
and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. (See RSV NIV). ...
/a/allotment.htm - 14k

Aphek (9 Occurrences)
... Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and encamped
beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. ...
/a/aphek.htm - 11k

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