The name Ebal appears in the Holy Scriptures in three distinct contexts: as a mountain of significant prophetic importance, and as the name of two different men in the patriarchal genealogies. In the Hebrew, the name is typically understood to mean “stony,” “bare,” or “mountain of bareness,” fitting for the rugged limestone terrain of the region.
1. The Mountain of Cursing
The most prominent “Ebal” is the mountain located in the tribe of Ephraim, standing opposite Mount Gerizim with the valley of Shechem between them. It is known primarily as the site where the Law of God was solemnly ratified through a ceremony of blessings and curses.
- The Command of Moses: Before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Moses commanded that they should set a blessing upon Mount Gerizim and a curse upon Mount Ebal.”And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.” (Deuteronomy 11:29, KJV)
- The Altar and the Law: God commanded that an altar of whole, unhewn stones be built upon Mount Ebal. Large stones were also to be set up, plastered, and inscribed with “all the words of this law very plainly.” (Deuteronomy 27:4-8, KJV).
- The Ratification by Joshua: After the victory at Ai, Joshua fulfilled this command. He built the altar and read the Law to the entire assembly of Israel. Six tribes (Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali) stood on Mount Ebal to respond to the curses, while the other six stood on Gerizim for the blessings (Joshua 8:30-35, KJV).
2. Ebal the Horite
In the genealogical records of the descendants of Seir the Horite, Ebal is listed as a son of Shobal. These people were the original inhabitants of the land of Edom before the descendants of Esau (the Edomites) took possession of the territory.
- Scriptural Reference: > “And the children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.” (Genesis 36:23, KJV; see also 1 Chronicles 1:40).
3. Ebal (Obal) the Son of Joktan
A second individual named Ebal is found in the lineage of Shem, specifically as one of the thirteen sons of Joktan. In the Genesis record, this name is spelled Obal, but in the Chronicles record, it is rendered as Ebal.
- Scriptural Reference:“And Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba,” (1 Chronicles 1:22, KJV). “And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba,” (Genesis 10:28, KJV).
Historical & Prophetic Significance
Mount Ebal serves as a stark reminder of the conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant. While Gerizim represented the life and prosperity found in obedience, Ebal—the “Mountain of Cursing”—stood as a witness to the consequences of turning away from the living God. Archaeologically, the discovery of a large, rectangular altar on the slopes of Mount Ebal by Adam Zertal has brought renewed focus to this site, as many believe it to be the very altar built by Joshua.