Ebal

From Bible Exegesis

Stony.

(1) A mountain 3,076 feet above the level of the sea, and 1,200 feet above the level of the valley, on the north side of which stood the city of Shechem (q.v.). On this mountain six of the tribes (Deuteronomy 27:12, Deuteronomy 27:13) were appointed to take their stand and respond according to a prescribed form to the imprecations uttered in the valley, where the law was read by the Levites (Deuteronomy 11:29; Deuteronomy 29:4, Deuteronomy 29:13). This mountain was also the site of the first great altar erected to Jehovah (Deuteronomy 27:5-8; Joshua 8:30-35). After this the name of Ebal does not again occur in Jewish history.

See Gerizim.

(2) A descendant of Eber (1 Chronicles 1:22), called also Obal (Genesis 10:28).

(3) A descendant of Seir the Horite (Genesis 36:23).