Topical Bible: Ebal: Altar Built On

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Ebal is a significant mountain located in the central region of the land of Canaan, opposite Mount Gerizim, with the city of Shechem lying in the valley between them. This mountain holds considerable importance in biblical history, particularly in the context of the covenant renewal ceremony conducted by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua.

Biblical References and Historical Context

Mount Ebal is first mentioned in the context of the blessings and curses pronounced by Moses before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 11:29, Moses instructs the Israelites that when they cross the Jordan River, they are to set the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal. This directive is further detailed in Deuteronomy 27, where Moses commands the people to build an altar on Mount Ebal once they have crossed into the land.

The fulfillment of this command is recorded in the Book of Joshua. Joshua 8:30-31 states: "At that time Joshua built an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses—an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. And they offered burnt offerings to the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings on it."

Significance of the Altar on Mount Ebal

The altar on Mount Ebal served as a physical and spiritual symbol of the Israelites' covenant with God. It was constructed of uncut stones, in obedience to the command in Exodus 20:25, which emphasizes the purity and sanctity of worship. The use of natural stones, untouched by iron tools, signifies the unaltered and divine nature of God's covenant with His people.

The ceremony on Mount Ebal involved the reading of the Law, as Joshua 8:34-35 describes: "Afterward, Joshua read aloud all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua failed to read before the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children and the foreigners who lived among them."

This event was a reaffirmation of the Israelites' commitment to the covenant and a public declaration of their intention to obey God's commandments. The altar on Mount Ebal thus stands as a testament to the seriousness with which the Israelites approached their relationship with God and their dedication to living according to His laws.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the altar on Mount Ebal underscores the dual themes of blessing and curse that are central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The choice of Mount Ebal for the curses highlights the reality of divine judgment and the consequences of disobedience. Yet, the presence of the altar also points to the possibility of atonement and reconciliation through sacrifice, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of humanity.

In summary, Mount Ebal and the altar built upon it serve as a powerful reminder of the covenantal obligations of the Israelites and the enduring principles of faithfulness and obedience that are foundational to the biblical narrative.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 8:30
Then Joshua built an altar to the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Altar on Mount Ebal.
... Mounts Ebal and Gerizim are two rugged mountains that face each other in Samaria. ...
Joshua built the altar as directed, on which he offered sacrifices to God ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the altar on mount ebal.htm

Samaria. Sychem.
... is seated in a valley between the mountains Gerizim and Ebal: and in ... day of the Passover,
and the feast-days, upon the altar, which they built upon mount ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 56 samaria sychem.htm

Chapter xii
... First, that at Shechem (which lay between Ebal and Gerizim, not quite at the site
of the present Nablus) Abram encamped by ... Again an altar is built and, of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xii.htm

How Joshua, the Commander of the Hebrews, Made War with The
... Gerizzim, and the other half on Mount Ebal, on which ... had left them engraven upon
the altar, they returned ... of the walls themselves, which being built round about ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how joshua the.htm

Book 4 Footnotes
... B. III. ch.1. sect.7. [35] Of the exact place where this altar was to be built,
whether nearer Mount Gerizzim or Mount Ebal, according to Josephus, see Essay ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 4 footnotes.htm

Jesus at the Well.
... Jerusalem, and was situated between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, the Mounts of
Blessing and Cursing (Joshua 8:30-35). Here Jacob built his first altar (Gen.33 ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus at the well.htm

Six Cities
... with the remains of forts and castles built by the ... The famous mountains of Ebal and
Gerizim rose on ... distant Chaldea, and erected his first altar under their ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/ii six cities.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Shechem served as a rallying-place for the conquerors; Joshua took up his residence
there, and built on the summit of Mount Ebal an altar of stone, on which he ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Polity Settled by Moses; and How He Disappeared from among ...
... also give leave to those that have lately built them houses ... ought to do, they should
erect an altar that should ... on the right hand, and that called Ebal, on the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 the polity settled.htm