אֶבֶן
Definition
The Hebrew noun אֶבֶן (ʼeben) primarily means 'stone' or 'rock,' referring to a physical stone used in construction, as a weapon, or as a weight. In the biblical passages where this Aramaic form appears, it often denotes building materials, such as the large stones used in the temple (Ezra 5:8, 6:4). It also appears in symbolic contexts, like the stone in Nebuchadnezzar's dream that becomes a great mountain, representing God's kingdom (Daniel 2:34-35, 2:45). Additionally, it can refer to idols or objects of worship, as seen when Belshazzar and his nobles drink from vessels taken from the temple and praise gods of metal, wood, and stone (Daniel 5:4, 5:23).
Biblical Usage
This Aramaic form of 'stone' is used exclusively in the books of Ezra and Daniel, which contain Aramaic sections. In Ezra, it refers literally to the stones used in rebuilding the temple (Ezra 5:8, 6:4). In Daniel, it appears in both literal and symbolic contexts: literally as a sealing stone over the lion's den (Daniel 6:17) and symbolically in prophetic visions. The most notable usage is in Daniel 2, where a stone cut without hands shatters a statue, symbolizing God's eternal kingdom overthrowing earthly empires (Daniel 2:34-35, 2:45).
Etymology
The word אֶבֶן (ʼeben) is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew word with the same spelling (H68). It derives from a common Semitic root meaning 'stone,' found in languages like Akkadian (abnu) and Ugaritic (ʼabn). In Aramaic, it retains the core meaning of the Hebrew original but is used in specific Aramaic passages of the Old Testament, reflecting the linguistic context of the Persian period.
Semantic Range
In its symbolic uses, especially in Daniel, אֶבֶן represents God's sovereign power and the establishment of His indestructible kingdom. The stone cut without hands in Daniel 2:34-35 foreshadows the Messiah and God's ultimate victory over human empires. This imagery enriches understanding of Christ as the 'cornerstone' in the New Testament (e.g., Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:6-8), linking Old Testament prophecy to New Testament fulfillment. The word also warns against idolatry when referring to false gods (Daniel 5:4, 5:23), highlighting the contrast between lifeless stones and the living God.
In the ancient Near East, stones were essential for construction, tools, and religious practices. Large stones symbolized permanence and strength, often used in temples and monuments. The reference to stone idols in Daniel 5:4 reflects the common pagan practice of worshiping carved images. Understanding this context clarifies the biblical critique of idolatry, as stones were seen as durable yet inert objects, contrasting with the dynamic power of Yahweh.
צוּר (tsûr, H6697) — a rock or cliff, often emphasizing God as a refuge or fortress; סֶלַע (selaʻ, H5553) — a crag or rocky mass, used for protection or as a landmark; אֲבָנַיִם (ʼăbānayim, H68) — the dual form, often meaning 'two stones' like millstones; כֶּפֶל (kephel, H3713) — a doubling or fold, not a direct synonym but used in contexts of weight (e.g., a stone weight).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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