A fortified hill somewhere on the easter ridge of Jerusalem, north of the City of David and south of Solomon's temple.
About Ophel
2. Fortification in the southeast portion of ancient Jerusalem high above the slopes of the Brook Kidron, strengthened by Jotham (2 Chr 27:3) and Manasseh (33:14). Isaiah described the destruction of such a fortress when prophesying the judgment of God upon Jerusalem (Is 32:14). After the exile, the temple servants lived there and repaired its walls (Neh 3:26–27; 11:21). Josephus states that it was near the temple. Archaeological excavations at the traditional site in Jerusalem reveal fortifications dating from pre-Israelite times to the Maccabean period.
Key References
and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out.
And next to them, the Tekoites repaired another section, from a point opposite the great tower that juts out to the wall of Ophel.
All Scripture References (5)
2 Chronicles (2)
Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD, and he worked extensively on the wall at the hill of Ophel.
After this, Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David from west of Gihon in the valley to the entrance of the Fish Gate, and he brought it around the hill of Ophel and heightened it considerably. He also stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities of Judah.
Nehemiah (3)
and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out.
And next to them, the Tekoites repaired another section, from a point opposite the great tower that juts out to the wall of Ophel.
The temple servants lived on the hill of Ophel, with Ziha and Gishpa over them.