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Obal

Locations
Modern Location N/A
Coordinates N/A

Geographical Setting

Obal is a geographical location mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, identified in scholarly consensus with the site known as Ebal.

What is the meaning of Obal in the Bible?

Obal denotes a mountain or hill in the region of Palestine, specifically identified with Mount Ebal.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding Obal as Mount Ebal clarifies the geographical setting of the covenant renewal ceremony described in Joshua 8, where the tribes of Israel gathered to receive blessings and curses, providing essential context for the territorial divisions and religious obligations established during the conquest period.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Obal held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Obal in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Obal clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Obal." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/obal/
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