Ebal

About Ebal Written by AI

Ebal is mentioned in the genealogies of Esau's family in Genesis 36:23 and 1 Chronicles 1:40. He is listed as one of the sons of Shobal, who was a descendant of Seir the Horite. The Horites were the original inhabitants of Mount Seir, the region south of the Dead Sea, before Esau's descendants settled there (Deuteronomy 2:12). Seir the Horite, Ebal's ancestor, is mentioned as one of the chiefs of the Horites (Genesis 36:20 to 21). The inclusion of Ebal and other Horite names in Esau's genealogy suggests that there was intermarriage between Esau's descendants and the Horites. This intermingling of the two groups is further evidenced by the fact that Esau's grandson, Zepho, is also named as a descendant of Seir the Horite (Genesis 36:11). Apart from being listed in these genealogies, no further information is provided about Ebal or his specific role in the biblical narrative. His mention serves to trace the origins and relationships of the people living in the region of Edom during the time of the patriarchs. It is worth noting that there is another Ebal mentioned in the Bible, which is a mountain in the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 11:29). However, this mountain is not related to the Ebal mentioned in the genealogies of Esau's family.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

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 GERIZIM.)

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

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.