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.