Hebrew · Strong's H68
אֶבֶן
(EH-ven)
noun, common
A stone, whether small or large, shaped or unshaped, used for building, weighing, or as a precious jewel.
The Hebrew noun אֶבֶן (EH-ven) broadly refers to a stone. This can include small stones, rocks, or large boulders. The semantic range of אֶבֶן is quite extensive, encompassing the literal physical object and various metaphorical and idiomatic uses. It is a fundamental term in the Old Testament, appearing in contexts ranging from creation and judgment to worship and wisdom. The versatility of the word reflects the ubiquitous presence and utility of stones in the ancient Near Eastern world. Stones were essential for building, defense, and foundational structures. They also held symbolic significance in establishing covenants and marking important events. Ancient cultures used stones for boundary markers, altars, and monuments, highlighting their role in religious and legal practices.
אֶבֶן can denote the material itself, such as in building materials or as a surface upon which things are written. This is evident in the "tables of stone" that contained the Ten Commandments, signifying the enduring nature of divine law. It also describes precious stones used in priestly garments and royal regalia, underscoring their value and beauty. These ornamental uses often carried symbolic weight, representing tribal affiliations or divine attributes. The use of "stones of fire" in Ezekiel’s vision suggests divine power and presence, adding a mystical dimension to the word.
Beyond the literal, אֶבֶן is used metaphorically to describe hardness or insensitivity, as seen when referring to a heart turning "as a stone." This figurative usage emphasizes the contrast between a living, responsive heart and one that is lifeless and unyielding. It also appears in contexts of idol worship, where gods made of "wood and stone" are contrasted with the living God, highlighting their inertness and powerlessness. The term’s widespread use in both mundane and sacred contexts illustrates its foundational role in the biblical worldview, representing stability, permanence, and sometimes, spiritual deadness.
Common English renderings
- stone
- stones
- rock
- weights
- jewels
Key verses
"When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which Jehovah made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights; I did neither eat bread nor drink water."
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"And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell."
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"And it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, that his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone."
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"And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man upon it above."
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"and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of skilful workmanship."
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"And there shalt thou build an altar unto Jehovah thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt lift up no iron tool upon them."
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