The Ebal curse taylet refers to a significant archaeological discovery found in the biblical site of Tel Hazor, located in modern-day Israel. Taylet is the Hebrew word for stele, which is a stone slab or pillar often used for commemorative purposes. The Ebal curse taylet is a unique example of an ancient stele that was discovered during excavations in the late 1970s. The Ebal curse taylet is notable because it contains one of the earliest known examples of a curse inscription. The inscription, written in ancient Hebrew, includes a series of curses against anyone who does not follow the law of Moses, specifically the commandments found in the Book of Deuteronomy. The curses range from general misfortune and barrenness to specific punishment for various sins.
The curses range from general misfortune and barrenness to specific punishment for various sins. The taylet itself is made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock commonly found in the region. It measures approximately one meter in height and is intricately carved with the curse inscription.
Joshua builds an altar at Mt Ebal
Josh 8:30-35 Joshua builds an altar on the slopes of Mt Ebal (above the Vale of Shechem, to the north of Ai) (see 4 on Map 48 & Deuteronomy 27:4-8). He reads aloud the whole of the Law of Moses including the blessings if they follow the LORD and the curses if they abandon him (see Deuteronomy 11:26-30).
Mt Ebal looking across the Vale of Shechem to Mt Gerizim (Someone35)
Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim
Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim stood at the very centre of the ‘promised land’ of Canaan. Dominating the hill country to the north and south of the Vale of Shechem, this location had a great religious significance to the descendants of Jacob (the people of ‘Israel’) when they began to conquer the land of Canaan in c.1406 BC.
It was here at Shechem (near modern-day Nablus), over four hundred years earlier, that Abram had built an altar by the sacred tree of Moreh in c.1855BC to commemorate his meeting with God (see Genesis 12:6). Here, in c.1691BC, his grandson Jacob (‘Israel’) set up an altar to El Elohe Israel (‘God, the God of Israel’) (see Genesis 33:18-20) and later buried the household gods brought from Haran, symbolising a turning away from idolatry and a commitment to the one true God (see Genesis 35:4).
Following the conquest of Ai, Joshua assembled the Israelites on the slopes of Mt Ebal to read aloud the Law of Moses (see Joshua 8:30-35). Half the people stood facing Mt Gerizim across the valley, and half stood facing the summit of Mt Ebal, as commanded by Moses (in Deuteronomy 11:29): “You are to announce the blessings from Mt Gerizim and the curses from Mt Ebal” (see also Deuteronomy 27:12 - 28:68).
Shechem became an important religious centre after the conquest of Canaan. At the end of the campaign, Joshua addressed all the people here and urged them to be faithful to the LORD their God (see Joshua 24:1). He renewed the covenant with God and set up a large stone at Shechem to act as a witness (see Joshua 24:25-26). Later, Joseph’s body, brought from Egypt, was laid to rest at Shechem (see Joshua 24:32).
After the fall of Samaria (the capital of Israel) in 721 BC, and the subsequent intermarriage between the few remaining Israelites and the new Assyrian settlers, the mixed-race ‘Samaritans’ built their own temple on the slopes of Mt Gerizim. These slopes had been ‘blessed’ at the time of the conquest of Canaan (see above), and the Samaritans believed Abraham had prepared to sacrifice Isaac at this spot (see Genesis 22:1-14). The Samaritan temple on Mt Gerizim rivalled the Jewish temple in Jerusalem until it was destroyed in c.128 BC. This is the ‘temple’ referred to by the Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at Jacob’s well (see John 4:20).
Today, Samaritans still slaughter a ceremonial lamb at Passover on the slopes of Mt Gerizim, though the remains of the ancient Samaritan sanctuary on the summit of Mt Gerizim are now dominated by the remnants of a 5th century Byzantine church.
The style and technique of the carving indicate a high level of skill and craftsmanship. The discovery of the Ebal curse taylet has provided researchers with valuable insights into the religious and cultural practices of the ancient Israelites. The curses described on the stele reflect the religious beliefs and worldview of the people at that time. They serve as a reminder of the importance placed on adhering to the law and the consequences of disobedience. The Ebal curse taylet is also significant in the context of biblical archaeology. It offers further evidence for the existence of ancient Israelite religious practices and rituals described in the Hebrew Bible. The inscription strengthens the historical and cultural connection between archaeological finds and biblical texts. Overall, the Ebal curse taylet is a remarkable archaeological discovery that sheds light on the ancient Israelite society and its religious practices. Its significance lies not only in its historical value but also in its contribution to our understanding of the development of the Hebrew Bible and the religious beliefs of the ancient Israelites..
Reviews for "Breaking the Ebal Curse: Can it be Done?"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Ebal curse taylet". The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters were underdeveloped. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and overall the film lacked suspense and tension. I had high hopes for this movie, but unfortunately it fell short of my expectations.
2. John - 1 star - I found "Ebal curse taylet" to be incredibly boring. The pacing was slow, and there were long stretches of nothing happening. The supposed horror elements were laughable and not scary at all. The acting was also subpar, with the performances feeling forced and unconvincing. I was really disappointed with this film and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Ebal curse taylet" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The story was convoluted and hard to follow, and the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. The acting was mediocre at best, with the characters lacking depth and development. There were also several plot holes and inconsistencies that distracted from the overall experience. I was hoping for a thrilling horror film, but unfortunately, this movie fell flat.
4. David - 1 star - I really didn't enjoy "Ebal curse taylet". The writing was poor, with the dialogue feeling forced and unnatural. The characters were one-dimensional and unlikable, making it hard to care about their fates. The pacing was also off, with the film dragging in some parts and rushing through others. Overall, this movie was a disappointment and I would not recommend it to others.
5. Michelle - 2 stars - "Ebal curse taylet" had potential, but it failed to live up to it. The story was interesting, but it was poorly executed. The scares were predictable and cliché, and the jump scares felt cheap and overused. The acting was also mediocre, with the performances lacking depth and emotion. I was hoping for a gripping horror film, but instead, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.