EBAL, a celebrated Mountain in the Tribe of Ephraim, near Schechem, over-against mount Gerizim. St. Jerom, Eusebius, and some others after them, have been of opinion, that Gerizim and Ebal were opposite to Jericho, and at a good distance from Schechem and the Tribe of Ephraim: but we shall demonstrate the contrary when we come to speak of Gerizim. These two Mountains are so near each other, that nothing but a valley of about two hundred paces wide separates them. In this valley is the town of Schechem. The two Mountains are much alike in length, height, and form. Their figure is a semicircle, and on the side of Schechem they are so steep, that there is not the least shelving in them. They are at most half a league in length. But if they are alike in the particulars afore-mentioned, in another they are very unlike; for Ebal is intirely barren, and Gerizim is a beautiful and fruitful Mountain. The Jews and Samaritans have great disputes about them. See GERIZIM.
Moses commanded the Israelites, as soon as they had passed the river Jordan, to go directly to Schechem, and divide the whole multitude into two bodies, each composed of six Tribes, some whereof should be placed on Ebal, the others on Gerizim. The six Tribes that were on Gerizim were to pronounce blessings on those, who should faithfully observe the Law of the Lord; and the six others on Mount Ebal, were to pronounce curses against those who should violate it. Joshua having entred the Land of Promise, executed punctually what Moses Josh. viii. 30, 31.had commanded, and led all the Tribes to Ebal and Gerizim, in the year of the World 2553, before Jesus Christ 1447, before the Vulgar Æra 1451. Moses had injoined them Deut. xxvii. 4, 5.in particular to erect an Altar of unhewn stones upon Mount Ebal, and plaister them over, that the words of God’s Law might be written on them: but the Samaritans, instead of Ebal read Gerizim in their Pentateuch, because their Altar, and the place where they perform the publick Offices of their Religion, are still at this day on Mount Gerizim.
As to the Ceremony of consecrating the Commonwealth of the Hebrews, it is thought to have been performed in this manner. The Heads of the six first Tribes went up to the top of Mount Gerizim, and the Heads of the six other Tribes to the top of Mount Ebal. The Priests with the Ark, and Joshua at the head of the Elders of Israel, took their station in the middle of the valley, which lies between the two mountains. The Levites ranged themselves in a circle about the Ark, and the Elders with the people placed themselves at the foot of each mountain, six Tribes on a side. When they were thus disposed into order, the Priests turned towards Mount Girizim, on the top whereof were the six Heads, whose six Tribes were at the foot of the same mountain, and pronounced, for example, these words: Blessed be the man that maketh not any graven Images. The six Princes who were upon the mountain, and the six Tribes, who were below at the foot of it, answered, Amen. Afterwards, the Priests turning towards Mount Ebal, upon which were the Princes of the six other Tribes, cried with a loud and intelligible voice, Cursed be the man that maketh any graven Images. Whereupon the six Princes, who were upon the same mountain, and the six Tribes who were below, answered Amen.
The Scripture seems at first to intimate, that there were six intire Tribes upon one mountain, and six upon the other; but, besides that it is by no means probable, that the Tribes of the Israelites, who were almost innumerable, should be able to stand upon the tops of these two mountains, it was not possible for them to see the Ceremony, nor to hear the Blessings and Curses, in order to answer to them. Moreover, the Hebrew particle in the original, signifies near, over-against, as well as at the top. Joshua viii. 33. Accordingly we may say, that neither Joshua, nor the Priests, or Tribes went up to the top of the mountains, but the Heads only, who in their persons might represent all the Tribes.
As to the great stones which were set up and plaistered over, in order to write the words of the Law upon them, Expositors are not agreed whether these stones, or this monument, are the same with the Altar upon which the Peace-Offerings were sacrificed to make a feast for all the people. Notwithstanding, upon comparing the 2d and 3d Verses with the 5th of the xxviith Chapter of Deuteronomy, it will appear, that the Altar is too well distinguished from the Stones in question, to leave room for a mistake.