What does the term Ebenezer mean in the Bible?

Answer

Most of us are familiar with the name “Ebenezer” because of the character Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’s novella A Christmas Carol. Due to that story, the name “Ebenezer” has acquired the connotation of miserliness and a lack of charity—although, to be fair, Ebenezer Scrooge did undergo a transformation at the end of the story.

The name “Ebenezer” actually originates from the Bible. In 1 Samuel 7, towards the conclusion of the period of the judges, Israel encounters a revival under the guidance of Samuel. The nation repents of their sins, destroys their idols, and begins to seek the Lord (1 Samuel 7:2-4). Samuel assembled the people at Mizpah where they confessed their sins, and Samuel offered a sacrifice on their behalf (verses 5–9).

It was during this period of repentance and renewal that the enemy launched an attack: “While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle” «And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. », (1 Samuel 7:10). The Israelites went out to battle against the invaders, and God provided them with supernatural assistance: “That day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites” (verse 10).

Israel’s triumph over the Philistines was decisive. Several cities that the Philistines had seized were returned to Israel, and it was a considerable time before the Philistines attempted to invade Israel again (1 Samuel 7:13-14). To commemorate

The glorious triumph, “Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us’” (verse 12).

Ebenezer signifies “stone of help.” Subsequently, whenever an Israelite beheld the stone erected by Samuel, it served as a concrete reminder of the Lord’s might and safeguarding. The “stone of help” indicated the location where the adversary had been defeated and God’s commitment to bestow blessings upon His penitent people had been fulfilled. The Lord had aided them, leading them to Ebenezer.