### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name **ʼEben hâ-ʻÊzer**, represented by `{{H72}}`, literally means **stone of the help**. It is formed from the words `{{H68}}` 'eben (a stone) and `ʻêzer` (help). It appears **3 times** across **3 unique verses** in the Bible and refers to a specific place in Palestine.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H72}}` marks a location of significant military and spiritual events for Israel. It is first mentioned as the site where Israel encamped before a devastating battle with the Philistines [[1 Samuel 4:1]]. Following their defeat, the Philistines captured the ark of God and brought it from **Ebenezer** to Ashdod [[1 Samuel 5:1]]. The location's meaning is permanently redefined when the prophet Samuel sets up a stone to commemorate a decisive victory granted by the LORD, naming it **Ebenezer** and declaring, "Hitherto hath the LORD helped us" [[1 Samuel 7:12]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words and names provide context for the events surrounding Ebenezer:
* `{{H68}}` **'eben** (a stone): The foundational component of the name. Samuel physically took a **stone** to create the memorial [[1 Samuel 7:12]], grounding the spiritual concept in a tangible object.
* `{{H8050}}` **Shᵉmûwʼêl** (Samuel): The prophet who calls Israel to repentance [[1 Samuel 7:3]] and erects the memorial stone. His actions link the nation's spiritual state to the physical deliverance commemorated by **Ebenezer** [[1 Samuel 7:12]].
* `{{H4709}}` **Mitspâh** (Mizpeh): The place, along with Shen, where Samuel set the stone [[1 Samuel 7:12]]. It was a site of national gathering and repentance before the victory [[1 Samuel 7:6]].
* `{{H6430}}` **Pᵉlishtîy** (Philistine): The primary antagonists in the Ebenezer accounts. The stone marks God's help in delivering Israel from the hand of the **Philistines** [[1 Samuel 7:3]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H72}}` is centered on God's direct intervention in the life of Israel.
* **Memorial of Divine Help:** The core purpose of the stone named **Ebenezer** is to serve as a lasting monument to God’s faithfulness. The name itself is a declaration of help received from the LORD [[1 Samuel 7:12]].
* **A Turning Point:** The name marks a crucial shift for Israel. It transforms a location associated with defeat and the loss of the **ark** of God `{{H727}}` [[1 Samuel 5:1]] into a symbol of victory and divine restoration.
* **Repentance and Deliverance:** The victory commemorated at **Ebenezer** is directly preceded by Israel's national repentance at Mizpeh, where they put away foreign gods and committed to serving the LORD only [[1 Samuel 7:3]]. The stone therefore links God's help to the people's return to Him.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H72}}` is more than a geographical marker. It represents a profound theological concept: a tangible reminder of God's saving help. It chronicles Israel's journey from defeat to deliverance, anchoring the abstract idea of divine aid to a specific place and a memorial **stone** `{{H68}}`, forever testifying to the declaration that "Hitherto hath the LORD helped us" [[1 Samuel 7:12]].
TRV