אֶ֫בֶן (e.ven)
e.ven
stone
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 211 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew word even refers to a stone in its most basic sense, covering everything from small pebbles to massive boulders. It appears frequently in narratives about building and warfare, such as when David selects smooth stones for his sling or when Jacob sets up a stone pillar at Bethel to mark a sacred encounter (Genesis 28:18). The term is versatile enough to describe the material used for construction, the heavy weights used in trade, or even the hailstones that fell during Joshua’s battle.
Beyond its physical definition, even carries significant metaphorical weight. It often symbolizes stability and permanence, as seen in Isaiah’s description of a foundation stone laid in Zion (Isaiah 28:16). Conversely, it can represent hardness or lifelessness; Ezekiel uses the phrase "stone heart" to describe people who are emotionally unresponsive and resistant to God’s influence (Ezekiel 36:26). This duality allows the word to convey both the reliability of God’s promises and the stubbornness of human rebellion.
The etymology links even to the root for building, suggesting that stone is not just a natural object but a material shaped by human hands for purpose. Whether used as a precious gem in the high priest’s breastplate or as a simple marker in the field, the word underscores the tangible reality of God’s interaction with His people through the physical world.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word even refers to a stone, ranging from small pebbles to massive boulders. In Scripture, it often symbolizes stability and permanence. Isaiah describes a foundation stone laid in Zion, showing how God’s promises are as solid as rock. This imagery reminds us that our faith rests on something unshakable, not shifting sand.
Yet even also carries a sense of hardness. Ezekiel speaks of a stone heart to describe people who are emotionally unresponsive and resistant to God’s influence. This duality invites reflection on our own spiritual condition. Are we grounded in the reliability of God’s word, or have we become stubborn and closed off?
Whether used as a precious gem in the high priest’s breastplate or a simple marker in the field, stone underscores the tangible reality of God’s interaction with His people. It invites us to consider how we build our lives and relationships on what endures.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 211 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- stones30×
- a stone22×
- the/ stone15×
- stone14×
- with <the>/ stones13×
- the/ stones12×
- stones of12×
- stone[s]8×
- stone<s>8×
- [the] stones of8×
- and/ stones of7×
- and/ stone7×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֶ֣בֶן15×
- אַבְנֵי\־10×
- אֶ֖בֶן10×
- אֲבָנִ֣ים9×
- אַבְנֵ֣י7×
- אֶ֥בֶן7×
- אֲבָנִ֔ים7×
- וְ/אֶ֣בֶן6×
- אָ֑בֶן6×
- וְ/אֶ֥בֶן4×
- הָ/אֶ֙בֶן֙4×
- אֶ֛בֶן4×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 28:18
Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on its top.
Jacob sets up the stone as a pillar, marking it as a sacred space where God appeared to him.
-
Exodus 24:12
Yahweh said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and stay here, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commands that I have written, that you may teach them.”
Moses receives stone tablets containing the law, showing stone as a durable medium for God’s commands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does even mean in Hebrew?
How is even used metaphorically?
Where does even appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (211 verses across 26 books)
Genesis 13 verses
and the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and onyx stone are also there.
Genesis 11:3They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they used…
Genesis 28:11He came to a certain place, and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones of the…
Genesis 28:18Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head, and set it up for a pillar, and…
Genesis 28:22then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be God’s house. Of all that you will give me I will surely give…
Genesis 29:2He looked, and saw a well in the field, and saw three flocks of sheep lying there by it. For out of that well they…
Genesis 29:3There all the flocks were gathered. They rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the…
Genesis 29:8They said, “We can’t, until all the flocks are gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well’s mouth. Then…
Genesis 29:10When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban, his mother’s brother, Jacob…
Genesis 31:45Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.
Genesis 31:46Jacob said to his relatives, “Gather stones.” They took stones, and made a heap. They ate there by the heap.
Genesis 35:14Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he spoke with him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering on it,…
Genesis 49:24But his bow remained strong. The arms of his hands were made strong, by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, (from…