Carmel in Biblical History

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Schaff's Bible Dictionary

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What is Carmel?
CAR'MEL
(fruitful, or wooded). 1. One of the most noted mountains in Mount Carmel, from the Bey of Acre. {After Views of G. M. Powell.) Palestine, a range or ridge about 12 miles long, one end jutting into the Mediterranean Sea in a bold bluff over 500 feet high, extending thence southeast until it abruptly breaks off in an inland bluff over 500 feet above the sea level. Its highest elevation, about 4 miles from the east end, is nearly 1740 feet. It is specially noted as being the scene of remarkable events in the history of Elijah and Elisha. 2 Kgs 2:25; Gal 4:25. The scene of the famous contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, 1 Kgs 18:20-42, was near the east end of the ridge, at el-Mahrakah (i. e. "burnt-offering"); a well is near, and a slippery path leads down to the Kishon, several hundred feet below. This stream is now called Nahr el-Mukatta, "river of slaughter," in memory of this event. It is a sacred mountain alike to Jews, Christians, and Moslems, and formerly swarmed with monks and hermits. One tract, known as the Monk's Cavern, has hundreds of caves, and a little below is the traditional cave of Elijah. On the mountain is the large monastery of the Carmelites, which affords hospitable accommodation and a magnificent view. It is now occupied by eighteen monks. The German colony of Haifa has recently planted vineyards on Mount Carmel. Present Appearance. -- Carmel is covered with a profusion of vegetation, illustrating "the excellency of Carmel." Isa 35:2. It is still known as Kurmul and Mar Elyas (Mount St. Elias). The rugged sides of the ridge are of hard, dark stone, always steep, often precipitous, covered with shrubs of dark, rich green. These shrubs are chiefly a kind of pistachio with no berries, the sponge laurel, the hawthorn, and the arbutus. The bare spots are covered with flowers, as rock-roses, striped asphodel, the daisy, and the red and purple anemone. The horse of the traveller often presses out a sweet fragrance from the thyme and mint. Herds of goats are frequently seen climbing its steep sides, and occasionally a gazelle bounds through the shrubs, while the fox, jackal, wolf, and a stray wild boar and a panther (chetah) add to the animal life of the mountains. The partridge and woodcock also abound. Huge valleys upward of 1000 feet deep wind tortuously from the main ridge to the sea, requiring hours to cross to the opposite summits. The rock is a compact, sandy limestone. 1. A town in the mountains of Judah, where Saul set a monument, 1 Sam 15:12;Acts 25:2, 1 Chr 6:5, 1 Kgs 15:7, 1 Sam 15:40; 1 Sam 27:3, and Uzziah had vineyards, 2 Chr 26:10; now Kurmul, 10 miles south-east of Hebron, where are ruins of a strong castle.

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Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'carmel' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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