Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

HERMON

(Heb. ḥermôn),

MOUNT

The southern portion of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range, extending 29 km. (18 mi.) on the northern border of Palestine. The heights overlook much of northern Israel and southern Syria, including the valley of Lebanon, the Gilead mountains, the Jordan Valley, and the Sea of Galilee. The three peaks of the Hermon range contain the highest peak in the Levant, Mt. Hermon proper at 2814 m. (9230 ft.). The height gathers sufficient precipitation, mainly in the form of snow, to supply the sources of the Jordan and Litani Rivers. One of the mountain’s Arabic names is Jebel et-Thalj, “the mountain of snow.” In biblical times the mountain was thickly forested (Ezek. 27:5), the haunt of leopards and lions (Cant. 4:8).

According to Deut. 3:9 (cf. 4:48), the mountain was also called Senir or Sirion. The three names may reflect the three main peaks of the mountain cluster. The Assyrians knew it as Saniru. In a Hittite treaty the gods of Sirion are called upon as witnesses to the action. It is probable that the 18th-century b.c. Execration Texts also refer to the mountain.

The mountain has strong sacred connections. The word Hermon derives from Heb. hrm, “sacred” or “forbidden.” The sites of Baal-hermon and Baal-gad, both probably cultic sites, lie at the foot of the mountain. Recent surveys have identified numerous shrines and possible sacred sites in the vicinity of Mt. Hermon. A classical temple near the summit has yielded coins from Antiochus III to Philip the Arab. The Hittite treaty makes it an abode of the gods. Ps. 29 celebrates the power of Yahweh in imagery reflective of the attributes of the Canaanite Baal, a storm-god; Yahweh is so powerful that he makes the seats of Baal, including Mt. Hermon, jump to his command (v. 6). 1 En. 13:9 witnesses to the sacred power of the site, recording a dream of a gathering of angels on Mt. Hermon.

Mt. Hermon has also been suggested as a location for the Transfiguration of Jesus. The “high mountain” where this took place is not identified, but it must be in the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi. The acknowledged sacredness of Mt. Hermon would have provided added veracity for the readers of the account of the encounter.

Thomas W. Davis

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

HERMON

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)