The sacred hill of Hermon is often spoken of in Scripture, and furnisheth out sweet subject to the Hebrew poetry. David describes the love and unity of brethren as like the dew of Hermon. (Ps. c33. 3.) The falling of the dew of Hermon upon the hill of Zion was very natural, for Zion joined to it. And travellers describe the dew of this place as falling plentifully like showers.
a celebrated mountain in the Holy Land, often spoken of in Scripture. It was in the northern boundary of the country, beyond Jordan, and in the territories which originally belonged to Og, king of Bashan, Jos 12:5; Jos 13:5. The Psalmist connects Tabor and Hermon together, upon more than one occasion, Psa 89:12; Psa 133:3; from which it may be inferred that they lay contiguous to each other. This is agreeable to the account that is given us by travellers. Mr. Maundrell, in his journey from Aleppo, says that in three hours and a half from the river Kishon, he came to a small brook near which was an old village and a good kane, called Legune; not far from which his company took up their quarters for the night, and from whence they had an extensive prospect of the plain of Esdraelon. At about six or seven hours’ distance eastward, stood, within view, Nazareth, and the two mountains Tabor and Hermon. He adds that they were sufficiently instructed by experience what the holy Psalmist means by the dew of Hermon; their tents being as wet with it as if it had rained all night, Psa 133:3.
Her´mon, a mountain which formed the northernmost boundary of the country beyond the Jordan which the Hebrews conquered from the Amorites (Deu 3:8), and which, therefore, must have belonged to Anti-Libanus. Since modern travelers have made us acquainted with the country beyond the Jordan, no doubt has been entertained that the Mount Hermon of those texts is no other than the present Jebel esh-sheikh, or the Sheikh’s mountain, or, which is equivalent, Old Man’s Mountain, a name it is said to have obtained from its fancied resemblance (being topped with snow, which sometimes lies in lengthened streaks upon its sloping ridges) to the hoary head and beard of a venerable sheikh. This Jebel esh-sheikh is a south-eastern, and in that direction culminating, branch of Amti Libanus. It is probably the highest of all the Lebanon mountains, and is thought to rival Mont Blanc, though, as Elliot observes, the high ground on which it stands detracts considerably from its apparent altitude, and makes it a less imposing object than that king of European mountains as viewed from the Italian valley of Aösta. Its top is covered with snow throughout the summer, and must therefore rise above the point of perpetual congelation, which in this quarter is about 11,000 feet. It might, perhaps, be safe to add another 1000 feet for the height above that point, making in all 12,000 feet; but we must wait the result of more accurate observations than have yet been made.
A lofty mountain on the northeast border of Palestine, called also Sirion Shenir, and Sion, (not Zion,) Deu 3:8 ; 4:39. It is a part of the great Anti-Lebanon Range; at the point where an eastern and lower arm branches off, a little south of the latitude of Damascus, and runs in a southerly direction terminating east of the head of the sea of Galilee. This low range is called Jebel Heish. Mount Hermon is believed to be what is now known as Jebel esh-Sheikh, whose highest summit, surpassing every other in Syria, rises into the region of perpetual snow or ice, ten thousand feet above the sea.\par For a view of Hermon, see MEROM. Professor Hackett thus describes its appearance as seen from a hill north of Nazareth: "The mountain was concealed one moment, and the next, on ascending a few steps higher, stood arrayed before me with an imposing effect which I cannot easily describe. It rose immensely above every surrounding object. The purity of the atmosphere caused it to appear near, though it was in reality many miles distant. The snow on its head and sides sparkled under the rays of the sun, as if it had been robed in a vesture of silver. In my mind’s eye at that moment it had none of the appearance of an inert mass of earth and rock, but glowed with life and animation. It stood there athwart my path, like a mighty giant rearing his head towards heaven and swelling with the proud consciousness of strength and majesty. I felt how natural was the Psalmist’s personification: "the north and the south thou hast created them; Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name,’" Psa 89:12 .\par The "little Hermon" of modern travellers, not mentioned in Scripture, is a shapeless mass of hills north of the smaller valley of Jezreel. "Hermonites," or Hermons, in Psa 42:6, denotes the peaks of the Hermons range.\par
Her’mon. (a peak, summit). A mountain on the northeastern border of Palestine, Deu 3:8; Jos 12:1, over against Lebanon, Jos 11:17, adjoining the plateau of Bashan. 1Ch 5:23. It stands at the southern end, and is the culminating point of the anti-Libanus range; it towers high above the ancient border city of Dan and the fountains of the Jordan, and is the most conspicuous and beautiful mountain in Palestine or Assyria.
At the present day, it is called Jebel esh-Sheikh, "the chief mountain", and Jebel eth-Thelj, "snowy mountain". When the whole country is parched with the summer sun, white lines of snow streak the head of Hermon. This mountain was the great landmark of the Israelites. It was associated with their northern border almost as intimately as the sea was with the western. Hermon has three summits, situated like the angles of a triangle, and about a quarter of a mile from each other.
In two passages of Scripture, this mountain is called Baal-hermon, Jdg 3:3; 1Ch 5:23, possibly because Baal was there worshipped. (It is more than probable that some part of Hermon was the scene of the transfiguration, as it stands near Caesarea Philippi, where we know Christ was just before that event -- Editor). The height of Hermon has never been measured, though it has often been estimated. It may safely be reckoned at 10,000 feet.
("mountain nose, or peak".) The highest of the Antilibanus range, at its S. end. N.E. of Palestine (Jos 12:1), over against Lebanon (Jos 11:17), adjoining Bashan (1Ch 5:23). Called Sion, "the lofty," distinct from Zion at Jerusalem (Deu 4:48); among the Amorites Shenir, rather Senir, i.e. cataract or else breast-plate, from
Rising 9,500 feet, it is seen even from the Jordan valley and the shores of the Dead Sea. Lebanon means the "white" mountain, the Mont Blanc of Palestine. Now Jebel es Sheykh, "the old white-headed man’s mountain," referring to the long streaks of snow remaining in the ravines radiating from the center, when the snow has disappeared elsewhere, like an old man’s scanty white locks. Jebel esh Tilj, "the mount of ice." Shenir and Hermon are mentioned distinctly, Son 4:8. The whole was called Hermon. The part held by the Sidonians was "Sirion," that by the Amorites Shenir, infested by devouring "lions" and swift though stealthy "leopards," in contrast to "the mountain of myrrh" (Son 5:6), the mountain of the Lord’s house (Isa 2:2), the good land (Isa 35:9). In Psa 89:12 Tabor is made the western, Hermon the eastern landmark.
Thus, N., S., E., and W. represent the whole earth. "The dew of Hermon" (Psa 133:3) is used proverbially of an abundant, refreshing dew.
A rude wall of massive stones surrounds the crest of the peak, within are the remains of a small ancient temple. Jerome refers to this, and no doubt it is one of those Baal high places set up by the former inhabitants, and so often condemned in the Old Testament. A circle of temples surrounded Hermon, facing its summit, so that Hermon seems to have been the great sanctuary of Baal. At the top, says Capt. Warren, is a plateau comparatively level; here are two small peaks lying N. and S., about 400 yards from each other. The third peak is 500 yards to the W. On the southern peak a hole scooped out is surrounded by an oval of hewn stones; at its southern end is the temple nearly destroyed, with Roman moldings, and of later date than the stone oval, of stones from 2 to 8 ft. long, 2 1/2 broad and thick.
Hermon (her’mon), a peak, summit. The highest mountain in Palestine, Deu 3:8; Jos 12:1; Jos 11:17; 1Ch 5:23. It towers high above the ancient border city of Dan and the fountains of the Jordan, and is the most conspicuous and beautiful mountain in Palestine or Syria. Hermon has three summits, situated like the angles of a triangle, and about a quarter of a mile from each other. In two passages of Scripture this mountain is called Baal-hermon, Jdg 3:3; 1Ch 5:23, possibly because Baal was there worshipped. Hermon was probably the scene of the transfiguration, as it stands near Cæsarea Philippi, where we know Christ was just before that event. The height of Hermon is reckoned at 10,000 feet.
[Her’mon]
A noble mountain on the north-east border of Palestine, forming the highest part of the Anti-Lebanon range. Its highest summit is 9200 feet above the sea, and is almost constantly covered with snow. It was called by the Sidonians SIRION, Deu 3:9; Psa 29:6; and SHENIR by the Amorites (or perhaps one of the summits was called SHENIR or SENIR. 1Ch 5:23; Son 4:8; Eze 27:5); and once it was called SION. Deu 4:48. The silent refreshing dews of Hermon are used to illustrate how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Psa 133:3. It is probable that some part of Hermon was the mount of transfiguration; the Lord was in that district, and it seems much more suitable from its privacy than the traditional mount Tabor. It is now called Jebel esh Sheikh, or Jebel eth The1j, ’mountain of snow,’ 33° 25’ N, 35° 51’ E.
HERMON.—A mountain on the north-eastern border of Palestine, the culminating point of the range of Anti-Lebanon, rising to an elevation of 9200 ft. above the sea. Its dome-like summit, usually covered with snow till late in summer, can be seen from almost every part of Palestine. Jesus in His youth must have often seen it from the hill west of Nazareth, and, during His ministry, from the Sea of Galilee. It is not mentioned by name in the Gospels, but is generally believed to be the ‘high mountain’ of Mat 17:1, Mar 9:2, and the ‘mountain’ of Luk 9:28 where the Transfiguration took place. This was probably not on the summit, which could be reached only by long and hard climbing, but on one of the elevated platforms on the southern slope. That Hermon, rather than Tabor (on which there was then a fortified city), is the ‘high mountain’ referred to, seems clear from the fact that the conversation (Mat 16:21-28) which preceded the Transfiguration by six days was closely connected with Peter’s confession; and this occurred at Caesarea Philippi (Mat 16:13-18), which stood just at the base of Hermon by the springs of Jordan. See also art. Transfiguration.
Literature.—For description of Hermon, see Robinson, BRP [Note: RP Biblical Researches in Palestine.] iii. 344, 357; Stewart, Land of Israel, 296–301; Conder, Tent-Work, ch. 8; SWP [Note: WP Memoirs of the Survey of W. Palestine.] (‘Jerusalem’ Volume, Appendix, and Volume of Special Papers).
W. W. Moore.
(
):
By: Emil G. Hirsch, M. Seligsohn
Mountain on the northeastern border of Palestine; the culminating point of the Anti-Lebanon range, at the springs of the Jordanand adjoining the plateau of Bashan (Deut. iii. 8; Josh. xi. 17, xii. 1; I Chron. v. 23). The name is translated by some "prominent peak," by others "sacred mountain" (see Gesenius, "Th."), both being suitably applied to it. The Sidonians called it "Sirion" (
), and the Amorites "Shenir" (
: Deut. iii. 9; both appellations signify "breastplate"), evidently on account of its rounded top, which, covered with snow, gleamed and shone in the sunlight. It is also called "Sion" (
: Deut. iv. 48), probably on account of its height. But it appears from Cant. iv. 8 and I Chron. v. 23 that Shenir was the name of a part of Mount Hermon, probably of one of its three peaks, which are collectively called "Hermonim" (= "the Hermons": Ps. xlii. 7, Hebr.). The name "Sanir" occurs in a cuneiform inscription (see Halévy in "R. E. J." xx. 206). Because of its snow-covered top Hermon is called "Ṭur Talga" in the Targumim and "Har ha-Sheleg" (snow-mountain) in Sifre (ed. Friedmann, p. 47b).
"Mount Hermon" (
) occurs in Deut. iii. 8; Josh. xi. 17; xii. 1, 5; xiii. 5, 11; I Chron. v. 23; "Hermon" alone in Josh. xi. 3; Ps. lxxxix. 12, cxxxiii. 3; Cant. iv. 8. Hermon was before the invasion held by the Hivites (Josh. xi. 3); it was the northern landmark of the Israelites: "from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon" (Deut. iii. 8 et al.). When the half-tribe of Manasseh conquered their allotted territory, they are said to have "increased . . . unto mount Hermon" (I Chron. v. 23). In one passage (Ps. lxxxix. 12) Hermon seems to be used as a synonym for "north," just as the sea (
) is used as a synonym for "west." The name "Baal-hermon" (Judges iii. 3) would indicate that it was at one time the seat of a shrine. It was a religious center in the Roman period also, and was surrounded by small temples, built on the slopes. A temple on the summit is referred to by Eusebius and Jerome ("Onomastica Sacra," s.v. "Ærmon"). In Enoch (vi. 6) the summit of Hermon is mentioned as the place where the wicked angels alighted in the days of Jared, and its name is explained as referring to the oath which they had sworn upon it. Hermon was famous for its dews (Ps. cxxxiii. 3), which have been celebrated by modern travelers also (Tristram, "Land of Israel," 2d ed., p. 608), and the part called "Shenir" was abundant in cypresses (Ezek. xxvii. 5). Hermon is now called "Jabal al-Shaikh" (the mountain of the chief), so called as the residence of the religious sheik of the Druzes.
Bibliography:
Robinson, Researches, iii. 357;
Hastings, Dict. Bible;
Winer, B. R.;
Cheyne and Black, Encyc. Bibl.
HERMON.—The highest mountain in Syria (9050 ft. high), a spur of the Anti-Lebanon. Its name means ‘apart’ or ‘sanctuary,’ and refers to its ancient sanctity (cf. Psa 89:12; and the name ‘mount Baal-hermon,’ Jdg 3:3). Meagre traces of ruins remain on its summit, probably connected, at least partly, with a former high place. According to Deu 3:9, it was called Sirion by the Sidonians and Senir (wh. see) by the Amorites. It may have been the scene of the Transfiguration (Mar 9:2). The summit has three peaks, that on the S. E. being the highest. Snow lies on the top throughout the year, except in the autumn of some years; but usually there is a certain amount in the ravines. The top is bare above the snow-line; below it is richly wooded and covered with vineyards. The Syrian bear can sometimes be seen here; seldom, if ever, anywhere else. The modern name is Jebet esh-Sheikh, ‘the Mountain of the Chief.’
R. A. S. Macalister.
[From the Hebrew meaning "sacred (mountain)"; Septuagint, Aermon]A group of mountains forming the southern extremity of Anti-Lebanon, and marking on the east of the Jordan the northern boundary of Israel. The primitive name among the Sidonians was Siryon, and by the Amorrhites the most prominent part of the group was called Sanir (Deuteronomy 3:9), corresponding to the Sa-ni-ru of the cuneiform inscriptions. These varying forms all signify a cuirass or coat of armour, and were probably applied to one or other of the peaks, either on account of its shape, or because its snow-clad heights shone in the sunlight after the manner of a polished shield. The name sometimes occurs in the plural form Hermonim, doubtless because the range has three conspicuous peaks. In the Talmud and in the Targums Hermon is designated the "mountain of snow", and the same appellation is used by the old Arab geographers. The modern name is Jebel-esh-Sheikh, "mountain of the sheikh or chief", because in the tenth century A.D. Hermon became the centre of the Druse religion, viz. when its founder, Sheikh-ed-Derazi retired thither from Egypt. It is sometimes called the Great Hermon to distinguish it from the Small Hermon situated on the east of the plain of Esdrelon, between Thabor and Gelboe, and so named through an erroneous interpretation of Ps. lxxxviii [Hebrew, lxxxix], 13.The geological formation of the range is calcareous with occasional veins of basalt. Hermon is noted as offering the most striking piece of mountain scenery in Palestine. The view from the summit is also magnificent, embracing the Lebanon and the plain of Damascus. It is at the foot of Hermon that the River Jordan takes its rise. The highest peak, which is covered with snow until late in summer, rises to a height of 9200 feet above the level of the Mediterranean. On the summit of one of the peaks is to be seen an extensive mass of ruins, probably the remains of an early pagan sanctuary dedicated to Baal, whence the designation Baal-Hermon, applied to the mountain in two Biblical passages (Judges 3:3; 1 Chronicles 5:23).In the Old Testament, Hermon is hardly mentioned except as the northern boundary of Palestine. Poetical allusions occur in the Psalms (v.g. Ps. lxxxviii [Hebrew, lxxxix], 13) and in the Canticle of Canticles, iv, 8. In Ps. cxxxii [Hebrew, cxxxiii], 3, the happiness of brotherly love is compared to the "dew of Hermon, which descendeth upon mount Sion". In which connection it may be noted that in no other locality of Palestine is the dew so heavy and abundant as in the vicinity of this mountain group. Some scholars think it probable that Hermon is the "high mountain" near Caesarea Philippi which was the scene of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9) and which by Luke, ix, 28, is called simply "a mountain".-----------------------------------LEGENDRE in VIG., Dict. de la Bible, s.v.; CONDER in HAST., Dictionary of the Bible, s.v.; GUERIN, Galilee, II, 292; VAN DER VELDE, Reise durch Syrien und Palestina, I (Leipzig, 1855), 97.JAMES F. DRISCOLL Transcribed by Herman F. Holbrook O ye mountains and hills, bless ye the Lord. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VIICopyright © 1910 by Robert Appleton CompanyOnline Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. KnightNihil Obstat, June 1, 1910. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., CensorImprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York
1. Description
The name of the majestic mountain in which the Anti-Lebanon range terminates to the South (Deu 3:8, etc.). It reaches a height of 9,200 ft. above the sea, and extends some 16 to 20 miles from North to South. It was called Sirion by the Sidonians (Deu 3:9; compare Psa 29:6), and Senir by the Amorites (Deu 3:9). It is also identified with Sion (Deu 4:48). See SIRION; SENIR; SION. Sometimes it is called “Mt. Hermon” (Deu 3:8; Jos 11:17; 1Ch 5:23, etc.); at other times simply “Hermon” (Jos 11:3; Psa 89:12, etc.).
2. The Hermons
Once it is called “Hermons” (
Mt. Hermon is the source of many blessings to the land over which it so proudly lifts its splendid form. Refreshing breezes blow from its cold heights. Its snows are carried to Damascus and to the towns on the seaboard, where, mingled with the
3. Sanctuaries
Hermon marked the northern limit of Joshua’s victorious campaigns (Jos 12:1, etc.). It was part, of the dominion of Og (Jos 12:5), and with the fall of that monarch, it would naturally come under Israelite influence. Its remote and solitary heights must have attracted worshippers from the earliest times; and we cannot doubt that it was a famous sanctuary in far antiquity. Under the highest peak are the ruins of
Some have thought that the scene of the Transfiguration should be sought here; see, however, TRANSFIGURATION, MOUNT OF.
The modern name of Hermon is
Little Hermon, the name now often applied to the hill between Tabor and Gilboa, possibly the Hill of Moreh, on which is the sanctuary of
Mount Hermon was in the far north of Palestine, at the southern end of the Lebanon Range. It was known to the Lebanese as Mt Sirion. The ancient Amorites called it Mt Senir (Deu 3:9; see also LEBANON). It was the highest mountain of the region, and water from its snow-covered heights was a major source of the Jordan River (Jer 18:14). It was included in the territory God promised to Israel, but Israel’s control never extended beyond its southern foothills (Jos 11:16-17).