The Definition of the word Ebal

Ebal

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 (Deut. 27:12, 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 (11:29; 29:4, 13). This mountain was also the site" of the first great altar erected to Jehovah (Deut. 27:5-8; Josh. 8:30-35). After this the name of Ebal does not again occur in Jewish history. (See [169]GERIZIM.) "(2.) A descendant of Eber (1 Chr. 1:22), called also Obal (Gen. 10:28). "(3.) A descendant of Seir the Horite (Gen. 36:23).