Mount Hermon is Israel’s highest mountain, with its summit sitting at 2814 m (over 9000 ft) above sea level. Snow occupies the summit for much of the year. This snow has long been valued by locals. Nowadays, there is a ski resort on Hermon, and in times past, Hermon’s snow was used to cool food and drinks in nearby villages.

Monikers for the Mountain

The Hebrew name, Hermon, means ‘sacred’ (see next section). In ancient times, the mountain was also dubbed ‘Sirion’ by Sidonians, and ‘Senir’ by Amorites (Deut 3:9). Other names included Baal Hermon (1 Chron 5:23), and by the first century, Mount Lebanon (Josephus, Ant. 5.3.1).

A Holy Mountain

For millennia, Mount Hermon has been considered a sacred mountain. The remains of over 20 temples have been discovered in the area, including one at the summit. Local Canaanites viewed this mountain as the seat of their storm god, Baal-Hermon (see Judges 3:3 and 1 Chron 5:23). Israelites also saw it as an extraordinary mountain (Ps 89:12). An apocryphal Jewish book, 1 Enoch, refers to fallen angels descending on Mount Hermon (1 En 6:6).

From a Christian perspective, Mount Hermon was possibly the site of Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 9:2). Jesus and his disciples were at the base of Hermon when Peter declared Jesus as the Messiah (8:27-29).

Fun Facts

• Mount Hermon was the northern limit of Israel’s conquests under Moses and Joshua (Deut 3:8). It is likewise the northernmost point of modern Israel.
• When the mountain’s snow and ice melt, it provides a significant volume of water for the Jordan River.
• Historically, Mount Hermon’s forests were home to leopards, wolves, Syrian brown bears, and lions.
• The summit offers sweeping views of northern Israel and Syria.
• Due to the elevation and snow, Hermon is frequently covered in dew (Ps 133:3).
• Before the Israelite conquest of Canaan, Mount Hermon was part of King Og of Bashan’s territory (Josh 12:5). After the conquest, it was in the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh (Josh 13:11; 1 Chron 5:23).
• Mount Hermon features in the Song of Songs (4:8).

References

Arav, Rami. “Hermon, Mount,” in Anchor Bible Dictionary. 6 vols. Edited by David Noel Freedman. New York, NY: Doubleday, 1992. Logos edition.

Baldwin, Gary. “Hermon, Mount,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Edited by Chad Brand, Charles Draper, and Archie England. Nashville, TN: Holman, 2003. Logos edition.

Douglas, J. D. “Hermon,” in The New Bible Dictionary. 3rd ed. Edited by J. D. Douglas, N. Hillyer, and D. R. W. Wood. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1996. Logos edition.

Negev, Avraham, ed. The Archaeological Encyclopedia of the Holy Land. 3rd ed. Hoboken, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1990. Logos edition.

Ridley, Brandon. “Hermon, Mount,” in The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Edited by John D. Barry. Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2016. Logos edition.