The Hebrew word Shên, represented by H8129, is a proper noun for a place in Palestine. Its base definition is crag. This term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible.
The single appearance of H8129 is in the narrative of Samuel commemorating a victory. In 1 Samuel 7:12, the prophet Samuel H8050 took a stone H68 and set it up as a memorial. The location is precisely identified as being between Mizpeh H4709 and Shen. Samuel named the stone Ebenezer H72, explaining, "Hitherto hath the LORD H3068 helped H5826 us." The role of Shen is to serve as a geographical marker for this profound moment of remembrance.
Several related words provide context for the event associated with Shen:
- H68 'eben (a stone): This is the physical object Samuel used to create the memorial, symbolizing a permanent testimony to God's faithfulness 1 Samuel 7:12.
- H72 'Eben hâ-ʻÊzer (stone of the help): The name given to the monument set near Shen. It directly translates the purpose of the memorial—to declare God's assistance 1 Samuel 7:12.
- H4709 Mitspâh (Mitspah, a place in Palestine): The other landmark mentioned, which, along with Shen, frames the location of this significant act of worship and remembrance 1 Samuel 7:12.
- H5826 ʻâzar (to help, succour): This verb is the core of Samuel's declaration and the reason for the memorial. It defines the divine action being celebrated at the site between Mizpeh and Shen 1 Samuel 7:12.
The theological weight of H8129 is entirely derived from its association with the Ebenezer stone.
- Landmarks of Remembrance: Shen, as a place name, becomes part of a sacred map. It marks a physical location where God's intervention was acknowledged, transforming a simple place into a site of historical and spiritual importance 1 Samuel 7:12.
- Testimony to God's Help: The location of the stone near Shen solidifies the testimony of God's aid. The event ties a specific geography to the declaration that the Lord H3068 is a helper H5826 of His people.
- The Ebenezer Principle: By being one of the boundary markers for the "stone of the help" H72, Shen is linked to the principle of setting up memorials to commemorate God's faithfulness and provision.
In summary, Shên H8129 is a geographical name whose sole biblical reference gives it lasting significance. While a minor detail on its own, its inclusion in 1 Samuel 7:12 permanently connects it to the establishment of the Ebenezer stone. The location, described as a "crag," serves as a firm and high place marking a moment where Israel formally recognized God's deliverance and help.
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