Bible Dictionary
Ebenezer
Ebenezer means “stone of help.” Samuel set up this stone between Mizpeh and Shen as a memorial of the LORD’s help in giving Israel victory over the Philistines.
Definition
Ebenezer means “stone of help.” It was a stone set up by Samuel after Israel received a decisive victory over the Philistines. The stone served as a memorial of the help Israel had received from Jehovah.
Biblical Usage
The name expresses Samuel’s public testimony that the LORD had helped Israel. It commemorated the victory granted after the Philistines had previously defeated Israel in the same general region.
Historical Background
Its position is defined as between Mizpeh and Shen, though the exact site has not been identified.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(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.