I. Name

The word ʾbn occurs in all Semitic languages, except Classical Arabic (Cohen 1970). It denotes natural stone. Veneration of stones occurs in all religions of the ancient world and is in fact attested in the Near East up to present times. According to the transmitted text of Gen. 49.24 ‘Stone’ (ʾbn) was an epithet of El as the God of Israel. Also a toponym like Ebenezer suggests that Eben is an old divine name. The prophetic criticism against worship of stones stands in stark con…