אֶזֶל (e.zel)
e.zel
Ezel
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun ezel refers to a specific landmark, a stone situated between Ramah and Nob. It serves as the setting for one of the most poignant moments in the narrative of 1 Samuel, where it marks the boundary of Jonathan’s safe passage and the point of final separation from David.
Its meaning is rooted in the idea of departure or standing by. In 1 Samuel 20:19, Jonathan instructs David to wait there until he returns with arrows, making the stone a silent witness to their covenant. The location symbolizes both the physical distance growing between them and the enduring loyalty that bridges it.
Though the word appears only once in Scripture, its contextual weight is significant. It transforms a simple geographic marker into a monument of friendship and faithfulness, capturing the tension between political danger and personal devotion.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eziel marks a specific spot between Ramah and Nob, serving as the backdrop for one of the most tender moments in Scripture. It is not merely a geographic marker but a place of covenantal significance where Jonathan and David parted ways under the shadow of Saul’s anger. This stone stands as a silent witness to their loyalty, reminding us that true friendship often requires physical distance yet remains anchored in spiritual unity.
For your own life, this word invites you to value the boundaries that protect relationships. Sometimes we must step back or wait for a designated time before moving forward. Like David at eziel, you can trust that separation is not abandonment. God uses these pauses to strengthen bonds and clarify purpose, turning moments of uncertainty into opportunities for faithful waiting.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ Ezel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָ/אָֽזֶל\׃1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 20:19
When you have stayed three days, go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself when this started, and remain by the stone Ezel.
This verse establishes the stone as the designated meeting point where David must wait, highlighting its role as a fixed reference for their covenantal plan.