Shen
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Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:
Shen is a term found in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of geographical locations. The name "Shen" means "tooth" or "crag," suggesting a prominent rock or cliff. It is mentioned in the context of a landmark or a notable feature in the landscape.

Biblical Reference:
The primary reference to Shen is found in 1 Samuel 7:12. In this passage, the prophet Samuel sets up a stone between Mizpah and Shen, naming it Ebenezer, which means "stone of help," to commemorate the Lord's assistance in Israel's victory over the Philistines. The Berean Standard Bible translates this verse 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 Geographical Context:
Shen is identified as a location near Mizpah, a significant site in the tribal territory of Benjamin. Mizpah served as a gathering place for the Israelites on several occasions, including during times of national crisis or religious renewal. The exact location of Shen is not definitively known today, but it is understood to be in the central highlands of ancient Israel, an area characterized by rugged terrain and rocky outcrops.

Theological Significance:
The mention of Shen in the context of Samuel's actions highlights the importance of physical landmarks in the spiritual and communal life of Israel. By setting up the stone at Shen, Samuel created a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness and deliverance. This act of remembrance served to strengthen the faith of the Israelites and encouraged them to trust in the Lord's continued guidance and protection.

Cultural and Religious Insights:
In ancient Israel, stones and other natural features often served as memorials or witnesses to significant events. The practice of erecting stones as markers or altars is seen throughout the Old Testament, reflecting a culture deeply connected to the land and its features. These markers were not only historical records but also served as teaching tools for future generations, reminding them of God's past interventions and promises.

Related Entries:
· Ebenezer: The stone set up by Samuel between Mizpah and Shen, symbolizing God's help.
· Mizpah: A significant site in the territory of Benjamin, often associated with assemblies and covenant renewals.
· Samuel: The prophet and last judge of Israel, who played a crucial role in the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy.

Conclusion:
The reference to Shen in the Bible, though brief, is part of a larger narrative that underscores the importance of remembering God's acts of deliverance. It serves as a reminder of the physical and spiritual landscapes that shaped the identity and faith of the people of Israel.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Shen

tooth; ivory; change

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Shen

(tooth), a place mentioned only in (1 Samuel 7:12) Nothing is known of it.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
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 word has the article prefixed, "the Shen." The site is unknown.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SHEN

shen (ha-shen, "the tooth" or "peak"; tes palaias): A place named only in 1 Samuel 7:12 to indicate the position of the stone set up by Samuel in connection with the victory over the Philistines, "between Mizpah and Shen." The Septuagint evidently reads yashan, "old." Probably we should here read yeshanah, as in 2 Chronicles 13:19 (OHL, under the word). Then it may be represented by `Ain Sinia, to the North of Beitin.

Strong's Hebrew
8129. Shen -- "tooth," a place near Mizpah
... 8128, 8129. Shen. 8130 . "tooth," a place near Mizpah. Transliteration:
Shen Phonetic Spelling: (shane) Short Definition: Shen. ...
/hebrew/8129.htm - 6k

8128. shen -- tooth
... 8127, 8128. shen. 8129 . tooth. Transliteration: shen Phonetic Spelling: (shane)
Short Definition: teeth. ... (Aramaic) corresponding to shen; a tooth -- tooth. ...
/hebrew/8128.htm - 6k

8127. shen -- tooth, ivory
... 8126, 8127. shen. 8128 . tooth, ivory. Transliteration: shen Phonetic Spelling:
(shane) Short Definition: teeth. ... 8126, 8127. shen. 8128 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/8127.htm - 6k

7890. shayin -- urine
shayin or shen. 7889, 7890. shayin or shen. 7891 . urine. Transliteration:
shayin or shen Phonetic Spelling: (shah'-yin) Short Definition: urine. ...
/hebrew/7890.htm - 5k

8143. shenhabbim -- ivory
... 8142, 8143. shenhabbim. 8144 . ivory. Transliteration: shenhabbim Phonetic
Spelling: (shen-hab-beem') Short Definition: ivory. ... see HEBREW shen. 8142, 8143 ...
/hebrew/8143.htm - 6k

8133. shena -- to change
... 8132, 8133. shena. 8134 . to change. Transliteration: shena Phonetic
Spelling: (shen-aw') Short Definition: changed. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/8133.htm - 6k

1657. Goshen -- a district in Egypt, also a city in S. Judah
... 1656, 1657. Goshen. 1658 . a district in Egypt, also a city in S. Judah.
Transliteration: Goshen Phonetic Spelling: (go'-shen) Short Definition: Goshen. ...
/hebrew/1657.htm - 6k

8139. shenah -- sleep
... 8138, 8139. shenah. 8140 . sleep. Transliteration: shenah Phonetic Spelling:
(shen-aw') Short Definition: sleep. Word Origin (Aramaic ...
/hebrew/8139.htm - 6k

8149. Shenir -- Amorite name for Mount Hermon
... 8148, 8149. Shenir or Senir. 8150 . Amorite name for Mount Hermon. Transliteration:
Shenir or Senir Phonetic Spelling: (shen-eer') Short Definition: Senir. ...
/hebrew/8149.htm - 6k

2833. choshen -- breastpiece, sacred pouch
... 2832, 2833. choshen. 2834 . breastpiece, sacred pouch. Transliteration: choshen
Phonetic Spelling: (kho'-shen) Short Definition: breastpiece. ...
/hebrew/2833.htm - 6k

Library

Ebenezer!
... "Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name
of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.""1 Samuel 7:12. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/ebenezer.htm

Sermon at the Faribault Celebration of the Centennial of the ...
... "Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name
of it Ebeneser, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."" 1 Samuel 7:12. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whipple/five sermons/ii sermon at the faribault.htm

The Powers of Darkness
... Apart from these are the shen, which have been defined as emanations de la nature
personnifiees, not, as the gwei, spirits of the dead, but an emanation of ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xii the powers of.htm

Repentance and victory
... Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name
of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.'-1 SAMUEL vii 1-12 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/repentance and victory.htm

From Adam to Moses.
... 4.= How was L[)o]t saved from those enemies a=9.= In what part of [=E]??[.g][)y]pt
did they live? =In the land of G[=o]??shen.=. Lesson IX. The Youth of Moses. ...
/.../hurlbut/hurlbuts bible lessons/part first from adam to moses.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... "Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the name
of it Eben-ezer (the Stone of Help), saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Thesaurus
Shen (1 Occurrence)
... or crag (1 Samuel 7:12), a place between which and Mizpeh Samuel set up his "Ebenezer."
In the Hebrew the word has the article prefixed, "the Shen." The site ...
/s/shen.htm - 7k

Ivory (13 Occurrences)
... i'-vo-ri (1) shen, "tooth" (translated "ivory," 1 Kings 10:18; 1 Kings 22:39 2
Chronicles 9:17; Psalm 45:8 Songs 5:14; Songs 7:4 Ezekiel 27:6, 15 Amos 3:15 ...
/i/ivory.htm - 17k

Ebenezer (3 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/e/ebenezer.htm - 9k

Eben-ezer (3 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/e/eben-ezer.htm - 9k

Crag (5 Occurrences)
... krag (shen (1 Samuel 7:12; 1 Samuel 14:4 Job 39:28 the King James Version and the
English Revised Version)): In a mountainous country composed of sedimentary ...
/c/crag.htm - 9k

Goshen (16 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GOSHEN (1). go'-shen (goshen; Gesem): 1.
Meaning of Name: The region where the Hebrews dwelt in Egypt. ...
/g/goshen.htm - 19k

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

Jashen (1 Occurrence)
... ja'-shen, jash'-en (yashen, "asleep"(?)) See mingly the father of some of David
s thirty valiant men (2 Samuel 23:32 f). The Massoretic Text reads "Eliahba ...
/j/jashen.htm - 8k

Jeshanah (3 Occurrences)
... Chronicles 13:19). Most scholars are agreed that the same name should be
read instead of ha-shen, in 1 Samuel 7:12. It is probably ...
/j/jeshanah.htm - 8k

Forefront (11 Occurrences)
... British and American) has "in front; 2 Samuel 11:15, "in the forefront of the hottest
battle"); of ro'sh, "head" (2 Chronicles 20:27); of shen, "tooth" (1 ...
/f/forefront.htm - 11k

Resources
What is Shintoism? | GotQuestions.org

What does the term "Ebenezer" mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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