Iksal

Iksal אִכְּסָל, אכסאל, כִּסְלוֹת תָּבוֹר‎‎ إكسال‎
Hebrew transcription(s)
• ISO 259	ʔikksal, Ksalot Tabor
Iksal, as seen from Nazareth Illit
Iksal
Coordinates: 32°41′N 35°19′E / 32.683°N 35.317°E / 32.683; 35.317Coordinates: 32°41′N 35°19′E / 32.683°N 35.317°E / 32.683; 35.317
Grid position	180/232 PAL
District	Northern
Government
• Type	Local council
Area
• Total	9,000 dunams (9 km2 or 3 sq mi)
Population (2015)
• Total	13,743
Name meaning	from Iksal, personal name
Website	موقع إكسال مدرسة إكسال الثانوية مدرسة إكسال الإعدادية

Iksal (Arabic: إكسال‎‎, Iksal; Hebrew: אִכְּסָאל, כִּסְלוֹת תָּבוֹר‎, Kislot Tavor) is an Arab local council in northern Israel, about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) southeast of Nazareth. It has an area of 9,000 dunams and a population of 13,743 primarily Muslim inhabitants.

The name of town is believed to derive from that of Chesulloth (Chisloth-Tabor), a biblical town mentioned in the Book of Joshua (Joshua 19:12).

Iksal was known to Josephus as Xaloth. Archaeological excavations in Iksal revealed artifacts from the period of Roman and Byzantine rule in Palestine. A ring decorated with the image of a lion was found and dates to one of these time periods. In burial caves carved into the rock, sarcophagi and ossuaries containing pottery, glass vessels, and jewelry were found. Also dated to the Byzantine period are agricultural installations, carved into the rock and plastered, inside of which were found part of a winepress.

In 536 a Council was held in Jerusalem to condemn Severus of Antioch and his followers. Present at that Council were 45 bishops from Palestine, including one Parthenius, bishop of Exalus, which is identified with Iksal. Thus we know the town had enough Christians in the 6th Century to warrant a bishop.