Bible Dictionaries
Ezel
Holman Bible Dictionary
(ee' zehl) Place name of uncertain meaning, perhaps, “disappearance.” Rock where David hid from Saul and watched for Jonathan's signal (1 Samuel 20:19 ). He had hidden there previously, an apparent reference to David's escape in 1 Samuel 19:2 . In 1 Samuel 20:41 the Hebrew text apparently refers to the same place as the “south side” (NAS), using a word for side which sounds much like Ezel. Early translations and modern translators have sought a different text to read at this point. Thus “the pile of stones there” (TEV; compare NRSV) or “the mound there” (REB). The name and location of the site is uncertain. The point of the narrative is clear: David used a natural hiding place to escape Saul and to gain vital information from his friend, the king's son.
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Ezel'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hbd/e/ezel.html. 1991.