Topical Encyclopedia Mount Ebal is a significant geographical and theological landmark in the biblical narrative, prominently featured in the Old Testament. It is located in the central region of the land of Canaan, near the city of Shechem, opposite Mount Gerizim. The two mountains form a natural amphitheater with the valley of Shechem lying between them. Mount Ebal is often associated with themes of covenant, obedience, and divine judgment.Biblical References: 1. Deuteronomy 11:29 · In the instructions given by Moses to the Israelites, Mount Ebal is designated as the mountain of curses. "When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, you are to proclaim the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal." 2. Deuteronomy 27:4-8 · Moses commands the Israelites to set up large stones on Mount Ebal, coat them with plaster, and inscribe upon them all the words of the law. An altar is also to be built there. "And when you have crossed the Jordan, you are to set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and coat them with plaster. There you are to build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them." 3. Joshua 8:30-35 · Joshua fulfills Moses' command by building an altar on Mount Ebal and inscribing the law on stones. The Israelites gather there to hear the reading of the law, with half of the tribes standing in front of Mount Gerizim and half in front of Mount Ebal. "Then 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." Theological Significance: Mount Ebal serves as a physical and symbolic representation of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. The mountain is associated with the curses that would befall the Israelites should they disobey God's commandments. This stands in contrast to Mount Gerizim, which is associated with blessings for obedience. The duality of Ebal and Gerizim underscores the conditional nature of the covenant, emphasizing the importance of choice and the consequences of obedience versus disobedience. The altar built on Mount Ebal signifies the centrality of worship and the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. The inscribing of the law on stones at Ebal highlights the permanence and unchanging nature of God's commandments. It serves as a public declaration and reminder of the law that governs the life of the covenant community. Archaeological Insights: Archaeological excavations in the region have uncovered structures and artifacts that some scholars associate with the biblical account of Mount Ebal. These findings include an ancient altar and other cultic installations, which some propose could be linked to the altar built by Joshua. However, interpretations of these findings vary, and the identification of these remains with the biblical narrative is subject to ongoing scholarly debate. Mount Ebal remains a powerful symbol within the biblical tradition, representing the stark choices set before the people of God and the enduring call to faithfulness and obedience. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 11:29And it shall come to pass, when the LORD your God has brought you in to the land where you go to possess it, that you shall put the blessing on mount Gerizim, and the curse on mount Ebal. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 27:13 Library The Altar on Mount Ebal. Samaria. Sychem. The Ray and the Reflection Gilgal, in Deuteronomy 11:30 what the Place Was. Six Cities How Every Nation was Denominated from their First Inhabitants. A Death in the Desert The Last Judgment. By the Rev. John Welch, AD 1570-1622. One Thing is Needful; The Land and the People. Resources What is the significance of Mount Ebal in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWas Noah's flood global or local? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to have mustard seed faith? | GotQuestions.org Mountains: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Mountains are the Sources of Springs and Rivers Mountains of God's Righteousness Mountains of Persons in Authority Mountains of Proud and Haughty Persons Mountains of the Church of God Mountains: (Breaking Forth Into Singing) of Exceeding Joy Mountains: (Burning) of Destructive Enemies Mountains: (Dropping New Wine) of Abundance Mountains: (Made Waste) of Desolation Mountains: (Threshing of) Heavy Judgments Mountains: A Defence to a Country Mountains: Abounded With: Deer Mountains: Abounded With: Forests Mountains: Abounded With: Game Mountains: Abounded With: Herbs Mountains: Abounded With: Minerals Mountains: Abounded With: Precious Things Mountains: Abounded With: Spices Mountains: Abounded With: Stone for Building Mountains: Abounded With: Vineyards Mountains: Abounded With: Wild Beasts Mountains: Afford Refuge in Time of Danger Mountains: Beacons or Ensigns often Raised Upon Mountains: Called: Everlasting Hills Mountains: Called: God's Mountains Mountains: Called: Perpetual Hills Mountains: Called: Pillars of Heaven Mountains: Called: The Ancient Mountains Mountains: Called: The Everlasting Mountains Mountains: Collect the Vapours Which Ascend from the Earth Mountains: God: Causes, to Melt Mountains: God: Causes, to Skip Mountains: God: Causes, to Smoke Mountains: God: Causes, to Tremble Mountains: God: Gives Strength To Mountains: God: Parches, With Draught Mountains: God: Sets the Foundations of, on Fire Mountains: God: Waters, from his Chambers Mountains: God: Weighs, in a Balance Mountains: Made to Glorify God Mountains: Many Exceedingly High Mountains: Nebo (Part of Abarim) Mountains: Often Selected As Places for Idolatrous Worship Mountains: Olives or Mount of Corruption Mountains: Pisgah (Part of Abarim) Mountains: Proclamations often Made From Mountains: Sometimes Selected As Places for Divine Worship Mountains: The Elevated Parts of the Earth Mountains: Volcanic Fires of, Alluded To Related Terms |
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