About Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal

Joshua gathered the Israelites at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, built an altar where sacrifices were offered, wrote down the law of Moses on the stones and then read the word of the law to the people. The covenant between Israel and the Lord was renewed (Joshua 8).

The Two Mounts

The two mountains stand opposite each other in Samaria. Today, the city of Nablus (ancient Shechem) dwells in the valley between Mount Gerizim to the south and Mount Ebal to the north. Mount Ebal rises 940m above sea level, some 60m higher than Mount Gerizim. According to tradition, Gerizim (The Mount of Blessing) was lush and fertile while Ebal (The Mount of Cursing) was rocky and barren.

Covenant Renewal

The twelve tribes divided themselves into two groups, six tribes stood in front of Mount Gerizim and the other six in front of Mount Ebal. Both groups were facing the Levitical priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant. Joshua read the blessings and the curses just as it is written in the Book of the Law. The spot chosen for this reading is a vast natural amphitheatre in which Joshua’s voice could be heard to a distance.

Mount Gerizim

The Samaritans built their own temple on Mount Gerizim which was destroyed in 128 BC. Today, members of this sect exist in very small number and live chiefly on the mountain slopes and in Nablus. They still slaughter a ceremonial lamb at Passover on the slopes of Mount Gerizim.