ENDOR. - A city in the territory of the tribe of ISSACHAR, but given to the tribe of MANASSEH (Jos. 17, 11). Sisera and Jabin were "destroyed by the river Kishon near E." (Ps. 82, 11): indeed, Endor closes the level plain traversed by the Kishon, into whose waters the corpses of the slain were cast (Judg. 4, 7; 5, 21). It was the seat of the witch or necromancer, whom Saul, having her brought by night and in disguise, asked to summon Samuel: the shade of the dead prophet appeared and confirmed to Saul the ancient prophecy, to which he added that of the imminent catastrophe of Israel (1 Sam. 28, 7-24).
Eusebius and Jerome (Onomasticon) place Endor about 6 km. south of Mount Tabor and near NAIN: the present-day Endor (450 inhabitants) corresponds to this location. It is situated on the slopes of Little Hermon, a mountain of volcanic nature. Many caves, silos, and cisterns dug into the rock attest to the ancient importance of the place. A certain number of ancient tombs and the spring from which Endor takes its name (ἐξίμα δόξα) are noted there. From Endor, one enjoys a splendid view of Mount Tabor, from which it is separated by a broad plain, and of the volcanic peaks of the GOLAN beyond the Jordan.
Vincenzo M. Jacono