ENDOR. - A city in the territory of the tribe of Issachar, but assigned to the tribe of Manasse (Ios. 17, 11). Sisara and Iabin “were defeated at the torrent of Cison near E.” (Ps. 82, 11): indeed, E. closes the eastern plain traversed by the Cison, into whose waters the corpses of the slain were cast (Iud. 4, 7; 5, 21). It was the abode of the medium or necromancer whom Saul, having himself led there by night and incognito, asked to summon Samuele: the shade of the dead prophet appeared and confirmed to Saul the ancient prediction, adding that of the imminent catastrophe of Israele (I Sam. 28, 7-24).
Eusebio and Girolamo (Onomasticus) place E. about 6 km south of Mount Thabor and near Naim: data corresponding to the present-day Endor (450 inhabitants). It is situated on the slopes of Little Hermon, a mountain of volcanic nature. Numerous caves, silos, and cisterns hewn out of the rock attest the ancient importance of the site. There may be seen a number of ancient tombs and the spring from which E. takes its name ('[i]fʁ ddr'). From E. one enjoys a splendid view of Mount Thabor, from which it is separated by a broad plain, and of the volcanic peaks of the Gōlān beyond the Giordano. Vincenzo M. Iacono