Deuteronomy 27:4,5 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Ver. 4, 5. In mount Ebal— Dr. Parry has given a very just turn to this passage, remarking well from Noldius, that we should not read in mount Ebal, but BY mount Ebal, as, in the 12th and 13th verses, UPON mount Gerizzim, and UPON mount Ebal, should be BY mount Gerizzim, and BY mount Ebal: and accordingly we find, that when this commandment was fulfilled, the tribes did not stand upon the mountains, but in the plain between them; half of them over-against mount Gerizzim, and half of them over-against mount Ebal. Joshua 8:33. And in the middle of this plain, it is most probable, the altar was erected; the very place, as there is great reason to believe, where Abraham erected his first altar in the land of Canaan. See Genesis 12:6-7. But as every law is best understood by the manner in which it is executed by those to whom it is delivered, we postpone any further observations on the subject till we come to Joshua 8:30.; in the mean time referring those who are inclined to enter more deeply into the point to Dr. Kennicott's 2nd Dissertation, and Dr. Parry's Case between Gerizzim and Ebal fairly stated: observing only, concerning these two mountains, that they fitly represented the blessings and curses delivered near them. They were situated in the centre of the promised land, in the tribe of Ephraim, between Dan and Beer-sheba; having betwixt them a small town, anciently called Sichem, or Shechem, but afterwards Neapolis, and now Naplose. Gerizzim stands towards the south, with its surface declining to the north, and is sheltered from the heat of the sun by its own shade; whereas Ebal, looking southward, is more open to the sun, falling directly upon it. The former is, therefore, clothed with a beautiful verdure; while the surface of the latter is scorched up and unfruitful. Gerizzim abounds with springs, gardens, and orchards; Ebal is as naked and barren as a rock. This difference in the faces of the two mountains has occasioned some to think, that the very names Gerizzim and Ebal denote fruitfulness and sterility; and their appearance strongly expresses which was proper for the ceremony of blessing, and which for that of cursing. See Maundrell p. 61 and Reland's Dissertation concerning Gerizzim. We would further observe, in confirmation of the interpretation above given, that as this altar was common to all the people, it is not likely it should have been placed on one mountain in preference to the other: nor is it likely that it should have been placed on a mountain at all, but much rather in the plain; as thus it was very convenient for the sacrifices and services: whereas it would have been much the contrary on either of these mountains, which were very rugged, and of steep ascent. Ebal only is mentioned for brevity's sake, as is usual with the sacred writer; and as appears from the context and parallel places.